Power cuts and electricity shortages are a national crisis, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Saturday.

The federation said in a statement that it would oppose any job losses that may directly or indirectly be a result of this crisis.

"Eskom's tariff increase will help sabotage any goals set by the Growth and Development Summit, adopted by government of halving the 2004 levels of unemployment by 2014," the statement said.

The federation said that power cuts must not be borne by the poorest in society.

Cosatu recommended short, medium and long-term measures on the power cuts crisis.

"These measures would ensure that the cost of electricity for poor communities remain low and also new investment in power-generation," the statement said.

An energy efficiency campaign should be launched with a view to change the mind-sets and behaviour of consumers and industrial users, the statement said.

Cosatu also called for tougher action against companies and their individual directors who are found guilty of price fixing.

Sapa