Workers across the country were expected to take to the streets on Wednesday in a protest against rising costs of food, fuel and electricity.

The Congress of SA Trade Unions has called for a national stayaway in response to the price crisis.

It expects the participation of its two-million members and civil society organisations.

In Gauteng, Cosatu members would gather at the Pretoria City Hall, in Visagie Street, at 10am.

They would march from there to the minerals and energy department and then to the Union Buildings.

"Workers can rest assured that all those who participate in the strike will be protected by law except for those performing genuinely essential services," Cosatu said.

In Cape Town, the march to Parliament was expected to be part of "the biggest strike that the city has seen in the last few years."

Cosatu emphasised that nation-wide demonstrations would be "peaceful, orderly and disciplined" and advised the public to ignore anonymous e-mails threatening them with violence.

Tens of thousands of workers downed tools two weeks ago to voice their "disgust" with rising living costs.

Commuters were left stranded while mining industries and essential services ground to a near halt as Cosatu flexed its muscles in Johannesburg, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West.

Cosatu has warned of the danger of retrenchments in the mining sector, among others, because of Eskom's decision to reduce the electricity supply to industrial consumers.

Cosatu has also voiced its concern at what will happen when municipalities' implement recent Eskom price hikes.

"This will put thousands more jobs at risk as companies, already facing massive increases in the cost of fuel and interest rates, try to balance their books by retrenching workers, or may be forced to close down," it said.

Sapa