COSATU Today, 17 May 2013
Norman Mampane
COSATU Today
Our side of the story
Friday 17 May 2013
‘Strengthen COSATU for total emancipation’
Contents
Workers’ Parliament
Ø Happy Birthday!!!!-NUMSA celebrates 26 Years of tenacious struggles, toiling for and on behalf on the working class!
Ø NUMSA Presidents speech on the occasion of celebrating 26 years of existence of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa held on 17 May 2013 at University of Johannesburg
Ø Enabling COSATU Members to Tweet Effectively
South Africa
Ø COSATU’s response to Helen Zille
Ø SADTU replies to Helen Zille
Ø COSATU WC calls for dismissal of Minister Donald Grant
Ø NEHAWU condemns death of twenty three initiates in Mpumalanga
Ø SAMA welcomes Professor Karabus home
Ø DENOSA to present a paper on Nurses response to TB in the 21st Century
Ø COSATU Northern Cape statement on the increasing violence against women and children
Ø City spin doctors lies to Cape Town citizens
Ø The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa’s (PWMSA) is hosting a special National General Council at Irene over weekend
Ø The Gauteng Liquor Bill, 2013 goes ahead to a Public Hearing at Gauteng Legislature on June 10, 2013
International
Ø Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman, on the occasion of welcoming Prof. Cyril Karabus to South Africa, Cape Town International Airport, 17 May 2013
Ø Reminder-Ahmed Kathrada report back on his visit to Palestine
Ø ILO Director-General's statement on International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
Ø Zambian miners strike for wages
Ø 17 May - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
Ø IDAHO: Governments must honour human rights’ obligations
Ø WFTU-ICATU high level meeting concluded on closer cooperation
Announcements
Ø NEHAWU vacancy for a Tshwane Regional Organizer
Ø NEHAWU Vacancy for a Vuyani Mabaxa Regional [Jhb] Organizer
Ø Chris Hani Institute & City Press Public Debate Invitation!
Ø The South African Medical Association Vacancy for IR Advisor
Ø The South African Medical Association Vacancy for Organising and Bargaining Officer
Ø SACP Political Lecture in memory of Comrade Juda Tsotetsi Invitation!
Ø SAFM/Workers Wednesday coming schedule
Ø COSATU skinning in the game of social media-Enabling the trade union movement to nurture a communicative platform
Ø Follow Fred van Leeuwen on Twitter!-EI GS
Ø Follow ITUC Secretary General-Sharan Burrow
Workers’ Parliament!
Happy Birthday!!!!-NUMSA celebrates 26 Years of tenacious struggles, toiling for and on behalf on the working class!
Norman Mampane, COSATU Communications Officer, 17 May 2013
The National Union of Metalworkers in South Africa [NUMSA] today celebrates 26th years of tenacious and revolutionary years of toiling for and on behalf of workers.
NUMSA was established in 1985.
The South African Communist Party Central Community Member, Cde Charles Setsubi reiterated that ‘NUMSA as a progressive Trade Union has a responsibility to advance and mobilize its members against a capitalist system which perpetuates greed and profits against human existence.’ The celebrations must reengineer positioning and re-positioning itself as a Marxist-Leninist organization. And NUMSA must foster unity amongst all workers in the country’.
ANC NEC Member, Cde Enoch Godongwana said NUMSA should pride itself in celebrating the 26th Anniversary in their lifetime as the metalworkers was made strong and vibrant due to shopfloor struggles and such tenacity must not be reneged today’.
He further said ‘many workers were dismissed killed yet the Union continue to fight relentlessly’.
Cde Enoch said ‘the ANC National Development Plan [NDP] mustn’t become the ANC document but must be ‘owned’ by all. And the ANC must be continuously be engaging on its contents as it is government plan formulated by assembled experts. Engagements by all Alliance partners must be premised on enhancing unity within and amongst all Mass Democratic Structures [MDM].’
He reflected that ‘Trade Unions must continue to engage on politics as these decisions impact on the hourly-life of the working class in general and workers in particular’.
The ANC has called for tolerance to views expressed within the Alliance and appreciation the principle of disagreeing to agree.
COSATU general Secretary, Cde Zwelinzima Vavi has congratulated NUMSA on its 26th Anniversary on behalf of and for all workers in South Africa and elsewhere.
He said ‘COSATU support the Union’s stance by launching the M400K 2016 Campaign, as part of organizing all workers in South Africa in general and their sectors in particular’. Workers through COSATU Worker Survey said ‘members alluded to prioritizing defence of themselves against unfair labour practice and ,demands for better wages, and conditions of employment’.
Lastly, COSATU General Secretary has ‘called for unity of purpose to unite all workers and also prioritise recruitment to galvanize all workers in South Africa and elsewhere, to be under progressive Trade Unions’.
NUMSA President, Cde Cedric Gina said ‘workers must continue to unashamedly to advance the ideals of the Freedom Charter in their lifetime anchored by, ‘redistribution of wealth now as demanded by the Freedom Charter-Motsotso wa NUMSA’.
NUMSA has the National Executive Committee [NEC] and the Political Schools planned in 2013 in which the anniversary inputs by Alliance, including the SACP Responses to the National Development Plan, will be further debated.
Viva NUMSA Viva!`
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
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NUMSA Presidents speech on the occasion of celebrating 26 years of existence of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa held on 17 May 2013 at University of Johannesburg
Cedric Gina, NUMSA President, 17 May 2013
National Office Bearers present here,
Regional Office Bearers present here,
COSATU General Secretary, Cde Zwelinzima Vavi,
ANC NEC Member, Cde Enoch Godongwane (former NUMSA GS)
SACP CC Member, Cde Charles Setsubi,
Leaders of all MDM formations present here,
Members of NUMSA,
Comrades and friends,
Allow me to greet you on this moment of pride of marking twenty six years of remarkable existence of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa on behalf of the National Office Bearers.
In 1987, when the great trade union leaders from different metalworkers unions responded to the 1985s clarion call of our beloved federation COSATU, this red and militant union was founded on the back of almost seven metalworkers unions. It was not easy, but it was done.
I think it is proper to remind everyone gathered here and at home that those leaders adopted the following preamble to guide this giant trade union;
We, the members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, firmly commit ourselves to a united South Africa, free of oppression and economic exploitation.
We believe that this can be achieved under the leadership of an organised and united working class. Our experience has taught us that to achieve this goal we must:
a) Fight and oppose discrimination in all its forms within the Union, factories and in society
b) Strive for maximum unity amongst organised metalworkers and organise every metalworker into our national Industrial Union
c) Ensure that all levels of our union are democratically structured and controlled by the worker members themselves through elected worker committees
d) Encourage democratic worker leadership and organisation in our factories and in all spheres of society
e) Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker-to-worker contact so as to strengthen the worldwide society of metalworkers
We call on all metalworkers that identify with these principles and aims to join us and the metalworkers we represent, as comrades in the struggle ahead. We call on all metalworkers to set aside any prejudices they may have and strive for unity under the guiding slogan of the international working class,
From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs
Yes, this is what has guided this metalworkers union since 1987. We must thank and honour the founding Congress of our Union for bequeathing to us such a powerful and concise preamble that require no further explanation. There are no clarity questions here, it is as clear as you have just heard it.
This occasion takes place when our union headquarters was attacked by an unknown person at 2am on Monday,13 May 2013. It is very hard to believe that our headquarters was attacked by a drunkenindividual, it is just hard to believe, more so when another third unexplained burglary happens at Cde Patrick Cravens home who issued a statement, just like us, condemning the attack at our offices. These are not small matters and it is about time that our ANC government take very serious these seemingly small, unrelated attacks to the offices and homes of trade union officials.
This union became what it is today because of many unsung heroes and heroines, we must thank them. I have decided to talk about two officials of Metal and Allied Workers Union. Metal and Allied Workers Union was one of the unions that merge to form NUMSA. Their story is found, not in the recently published Kally Forrest book on the history of metalworkers but in an unlikely place, another book titled " Death of an Idealist[ In Search of Neil Aggett] written by Beverly Naidoo.
Gavin Anderson and Sipho Kubheka were two officials of MAWU who were banned by apartheid government because of their work and the then suspected links to the ANC which was obviously banned and in exile at the time.
Gavin was a Wits student who was studying Bachelor of Science, who was very active in NUSAS.
He would later meet Sipho Kubheka in a worker education group that ran discussion sessions on Sartudays under the auspices of Industrial Aid Society ( IAS) .
IAS had been set up by Pindile Mfetiand a network of SACTU activists.Pindile was a relative of Govan Mbeki who was already ten years into his sentence of life imprisonment in Robben Island. Steven Friedman and Jeanette Curtis were Gavins university friends and part of the IAS.
Sipho Kubheka was dismissed by a company called Imextra because he was one of the two workers that handed a letter to management to recognise a worker elected committee.
Sipho left school at Standard 9 because of family circumstances and was employed at Imextra as a clerk, there he met a former Robben Islander who introduced him to SACTWU tradition of labour politics and the IAS.
He was dismissed for that with the other worker. After a week long strike, the worker committee was recognised but Sipho Kubheka and the other worker were not reinstated even after an IAS sponsored case. IAS ended up employing Sipho Kubheka.
The IAS offices were in 277 Bree Street. I think we have a responsibility to visit this address and demand that it be recognised as a workers heritage site for there are many good things that were done for workers in this address. It feels good though that NUMSA Head Office is in Bree Street.
The friendship and comradeship between Gavin and Sipho deepened despite the gulf of their segregated lives. Sipho lived in Alexandra township with his wife, Thandi and young family and Gavin lived in a posh suburb of Yeoville.
Both friends, who were later joined in this triangle by Neil Agget, were students of non-racial ANC persepective under the tutelage of Pindile Mfeti at the time when Black Consciousness teachings were gaining popularity.
In the recent past, NUMSA has been on the receiving end, as an ultra left union. I want to share with you what things staunch activists of the Congress movement debated and did in MAWU then.
There was already established unions in Durban and in Cape Town, and this prompted IAS activists to discuss the starting a union in Johannesburg. The arguments that took was which form of trade union, the Durban model or the Cape Town model.
The Durban model was advocating for organising the working class, industry by industry( textile, metal, chemical, transport and so on), the model was arguing it is vital to avoid politics and a direct conflict with the state and the Cape Town model was advocating general unions in which workers across different industries and services were united by common concerns and this concerns were likely to have political implications.
Sipho and Gavin felt that general unionists were correct not to divide the experience of workers artificially.
They correctly argued that workers did not cease being when they left the factory and that their conditions at home and in their communities could be just as crucial for organising.
There was a bitter debate amongst student activists with Sipho and Gavin involvements. Titles like ultralefts and reformists were exchanged.
After a research was done that validated that most workers in Johannesburg fell into metal and allied trades and could be covered by a single union, the Metal Wing of IAS was born.
This was supported by Pindile, Gavin and Sipho who all felt that the whole argument had been over false division and labels.
The activists were angry with Gavin and had planned to deal with him in the IAS Annual General Meeting.
According to Gavin, Pindile enaged them that Gavin was to lead the Metal Wing of IAS and Pindile was to avail himself for the IAS Secretary position, they could not argue against Pindile because of his political savviness.
This indeed happened, Steve Friedman and Jeanette Curtis felt betrayed by Gavin and broke contact with him. Pindile, Sipho and Gavin worked very hard to build the workers organisation.
It is for this reason that we use todays celebration to formally launch our campaign to achieve 400 000 members in 2016 and Iurge you to drive this campaign in order of this unsung heroes of MAWU and NUMSA.
In 1975, Pindile arranged a trip for him, Gavin and SACTWU administrator Mirriam Sithole to meet exiled leaders Ray Alexander ( former GS of SACTWU), John Gaetsewe ( General Secretary of SACTU) and Uncle Dan Thloome ( ANC NEC Member). The meeting had a profound impact on them. Sipho did not attend the Bostwana meeting was immersed in the work of the Congress movement of building ANC structures within the country. In the process, they always took advice from Pindile that the struggles course would be determined by vibrant internal organisation and we should resist simply following instructions from someone outside, since some were not informed as were about what was happening on the ground and hence could make miscalculations
Pindiles insight was related to the exile and in-xile, but one may ask if it can be used in the current context of the NDP debate that is taking place in our country.
It is workers who bear the brunt of capitalist exploitation everyday in factories, it is workers who feel the pain of belonging to a labour broker for more than ten years without benefits and even without a possibility of a hearing if the so called primary employer calls the labour broker to remove you from the factory. It is our duty to build to organise this workers as NUMSA and it is our duty to continue to call on our ANC government to ban the labour brokers now because they are making miscalculations by thinking that regulating them will provide decent work as decided by the 2007 Polokwane Conference resolution.
We have been called different names on our stance against the NDP. We are not going to say much today save to say we are looking forward to the COSATU CEC next wek where we will make a strong case that NDP as it stands does not represent the shadow of what Gavin, Sipho and Phindile struggled for when they build this organisation under those difficult circumstances.
When the Metal Wing of IAS was transferred to the Transvaal branch of the Metal and Allied Workers Union, with Gavin making way for Sipho to be the General Secretary, work of building the workerss organisation continued, when Gavin did not have a salary and had to find innovative ways to continue to survive and sometimes rely on friends, on top of waking up at very early to catcth workers before their 5 am shift, they would attend meetings in different parts of Gauteng townships linking worker and community struggles.
The Heinemanns strike and the case, where they were defended by George Bizos made them covered by Rand Daily Mail, which helped them to survive harsher sentences. They were fined for inciting the continuation of a strike. Gavin R90 and Sipho R45.
Dear comrades,
As we celebrate our 26 years of existence, we must always remember that this organisation was formed by organisations who had been there organising and defending workers. We cannot change now and be an organisation that does not debate. We do pride ourselves of raising the consciousness of society.
We pride ourselves for having assisted our country, together with all organisations that joined us this year to reject the 16 percent tariff increase by Eskom and we want to invite communities to join us in stopping municipalities from ripping us off in the Municipal Round of NERSA application that Municipalities will add on top of the 8 percent that was received by Eskom.
We pride ourselves that the South African Communists Party has released a detailed paper on the National Planning Commission and the NDP. We are studying the paper of our vanguard and we will reflect on it in our coming National Executive Committee.
We will use our NEC to plan our approach to the COSATU CEC, where in honour of the struggles of all the unsung heroes, we think we must defend a strong, vibrant and independent voice of workers COSATU.
We will also reflect on the approach to the 2014 elections wherein our 11th National Congress mandated us to ensure the victory of the ANC.
We will receive a presentation from the Deputy Secretary of ANC on the ANC readiness and we will engage on what we think must be in the ANC Elections Manifesto.
In conclusion, this is a joyous occasion indeed.
We are humbled and privileged as the six current NOBs to be leading this growing giant in our country that is respected all over the world.
We hope that when comrades like Sipho look at us, they do feel that we are continuing in their footsteps in building a strong, independent, militant and red metalworkers union.
Happy 26 years NUMSA, Happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thank you
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Enabling COSATU Members to Tweet Effectively
Introduction to COSATU Official Twitter Accounts
Ø @COSATU2015
Official tweets on current affairs, ideological disposition and for a Question & Answer platform
Ø @COSATU TODAY _cosatu
Seconds- COSATU roving official tweets on events, quotable sound-bites on speeches/interviews, newsflash etc.
How to Register a COSATU Member Twitter Account
Ø Go Google and type twitter/sign up
Ø Versions of name/surname must be completed
Ø Choose a username/password and don’t forget them
Ø Update your profile; picture, bio
o Picture size should be 700k
o Bio-short narrative who you are
Ø Examples of Bio; Africa's largest Federation Official tweets, the home of the toiling classes across the world, with more than 2million membership...Amandla! Johannesburg, South Africa · http://www.cosatu.org.za
Ø Choose who to follow and type @cosatu2015 and @COSATU TODAY _cosatu
Ø And you’re skinning in the game through COSATU tweets
Communicating messages that matter is like artwork
Social Media generation is here and is unavoidable
‘Let’s skin in the game of COSATU Tweets’
South Africa
COSATU’s response to Helen Zille
Patrick Craven, National Spokesperson, 17 May 2013
The Congress of South African Trade Unions totally rejects the false claim by Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille that COSATU is “keeping people unemployed by influencing government not to implement the youth wage subsidy”.
Speaking on the anniversary of the DA’s opportunist march on COSATU House on 15 May 2012, she said that "By bowing to the narrow interests of COSATU and refusing to implement the youth wage subsidy, this government excludes young people from the economy. It cuts the youth off from opportunity".
The DA is to trying to drive a wedge between the employed and unemployed youth by misleading the jobless into believing the myth that employed workers, especially those in COSATU unions, are conspiring to exclude the unemployed in order to protect their ‘privileged’ position of having a job.
Every survey of workers earnings exposes this as nonsense. In 2011 half of South African workers earned below R3033 per month. Yet rough estimates for a national minimum level (MLL) are around R4500 a month. So those living below this figure - more than 60% of workers - are living in poverty. Minimum wages set through Sectoral Determinations are even further below the MLL - at R2118, while the minimum wages set at the Bargaining Councils are not much better – at R2725.
And most of the workers earning these low wages have to support as many as ten dependent, unemployed family members. This counters the phoney argument that employed workers have become a privileged elite, with different interests than the unemployed. On the contrary their interests are closely intertwined.
COSATU has ceaselessly highlighted the unacceptable levels of youth unemployment, but insists on looking for genuine solutions, unlike the DA strategy which is a mischievous attempt to pretend to the young unemployed that there is a quick-fix solution called a Youth Wage Subsidy.
It is based on the false premise that the cause of high unemployment is the high cost of labour and restrictive labour laws that make it too hard to fire workers. They simplistically claim that if the tax-payers give employers generous hand-outs, they will create thousands of new jobs for young workers while retaining all their current older workers!
In reality, employers will employ more young workers, line their pockets with the generous subsidy, while retrenching an equal or greater number of older workers and thus create no more jobs overall. Then, when these new young workers reach the age limit for the subsidy they can be thrown out and replaced by a new set of subsidised workers.
Contrary to the view of the DA there is no international evidence that youth wage subsidies work. The Treasury’s own studies vindicates the COSATU position,which you can read on http://www.cosatu.org.za/docs/discussion/2012/YouthWageSubsidy-SA.pdf ‘
There is no empirical evidence that this policy has worked anywhere in the world. In 2011 the ILO reported that “research in various countries has shown that wage subsidies lead to combined deadweight and substitution effects of the order of 70-90% of the number of jobs created”.
Deadweight losses occur when a subsidy is paid for unemployed persons who would have been hired anyway, without the subsidy. Substitution means the replacement of older, unsubsidised workers by younger workers for whom the employer gets a subsidy.
A National Treasury estimate puts the deadweight loss alone to be 58%, i.e. 58% of the promised jobs from the subsidy would have been created without the subsidy.
The subsidy will have significant substitution effects, as firms retrench existing workers in order to employ subsidised ones. And the existence of labour brokers, who screen and manage workers for employers, also makes it easy to replace existing workers with subsidised ones.
Why is the DA insisting on a policy that has never worked anywhere in the world? The answer is that the DA is serving its real masters - white monopoly capital who want the tax payers to subsidise them in order to maximize profits.
The youth wage subsidy would also not guarantee that any training and skills development takes place in the workplace, especially in sectors where job-creation is likely to be created: wholesale and retail trade, personal services and construction.
Most of the unemployed youth should in any case still be at school, not in workplaces. The biggest challenge we face if we are to address the crisis of youth unemployment is fix our dysfunctional education system and then train and expose young people to the world of work through internships.
Helen Zille’s crusade against COSATU is a crude attempt to divert blame for the youth unemployment crisis from its real causes: the economic growth path we inherited from our colonial and apartheid past - weak infrastructure, monopolies and cartels, and an economy over-dependent on the export of raw materials.
We shall only solve this systemic problem in the long term with policies to transform the economy into one based on manufacturing industry, as set out in the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the infrastructure development programme and at least part of the new growth path plan.
That does not mean however that we can simply sit and wait for faster economic growth to create sustainable, decent jobs for youth in the years ahead. We must act now, with short-term plans to get our young people to work as quickly as possible.
That is precisely what the Youth Employment Accord, signed in March by all youth formations including DA youth, government, business and labour, aims to achieve. “Additional urgency,” it says, “needs to be injected in job-creation efforts and a national consensus on ways to grow youth and total employment is necessary”.
It calls for genuine solutions, with proper, sustainable jobs, with decent wages, safe and health working conditions and education and training.
In a clear rejection of the DA view, it calls for “sustainable, decent work opportunities” and insists on avoiding “youth employment schemes that simply displace older workers”.
It condemns the dangerous notion that “any job is better than none”, even if it delivers no training, pays poverty wages, displaces an existing job and disappears after a few months, which is exactly what the DA’s plan would lead to.
Rather, the Accord points to the kind of real new jobs for the youth which we can create here and now, which will also help to rebuild our infrastructure and provide basic services for our poorest communities. These include:
• Youth brigades, to give young people a chance to serve their communities, provide some work experience and training, integrate youth into a social movement, build social cohesion and earn a stipend;
• A solar water heater installation programme to become a youth-focussed sector, employing only young people in installing the heaters, and supporting youth cooperatives and youth-owned enterprises as providers of installation services and maintenance for the programme;
• A green brigade, focused on the Working for Water, Working for Energy, Working on Fire and other environmental programmes, and increasing the intake of young participants in other environment protection and promotion activities;
• Health brigades, to expand home-based care and health and wellness education to communities as part of the NHI and auxiliary health services;
• Literacy brigades to utilize young people to expand adult literacy training;
• To aim for the Expanded Public Works Programme and the Community Works Programme to absorb at least 80% of new entrants from young people;
• All state departments to introduce a focused internship programme, aiming at employing interns over a period of time equal to 5% of the total employment of the departments;
• Second-chance matric programmes for those who have not passed or have poor results, and expanding the intake of FET colleges as part of building a stronger vocational and technical skills base among young people to complement the current focus on academic training.
•
If these plans are speedily and efficiently implemented, and are not sabotaged by corrupt tenderpreneurs, they offer a real possibility of creating real jobs and giving our young people a future, especially if they are linked to the job-creating policies in these four other social accords which were signed in 2011 and 2012:
1. The Basic Education Accord which is especially important in for youth employment, as a well-functioning basic education system equips young people with the basic learning for subsequent training and employment;
2. The National Skills Accord which sets targets and joint action to give school-leavers apprenticeships and work placement opportunities and commit parties to spend more on skills development.
3. The Local Procurement Accord, to support efforts to reindustrialise South Africa and thus provide jobs in manufacturing to young people (as entrepreneurs, employees or co-operators)
4. The Green Economy Accord which aims for a greener economy, with new ‘green’ jobs that can be a starting point for getting first-time employees into the mainstream economy.
The DA stands four-square for the interests of the workers’ class enemies in its rich and big business constituency. Their 2009 election manifesto exposed what the workers would have to suffer if ever they came to power, as it promised to:
• Reduce corporate taxes - i.e. make the poor pay more, so the rich can pay less
• Reduce the labour laws to make it easy for employers to hire and fire workers – i.e. take us back to apartheid super-exploitation
• Introduce a six-months probation period in which employers can easily dismiss workers without any recourse
• Turn the current Industrial Development Zones into Export Processing Zones where employers will be attracted to invest on the basis of not paying taxes and where workers will not enjoy any rights!
Such policies would reduce workers to poverty and slavery. In what is already the most unequal society in the world, they would transfer even more wealth from the pockets of the poor to the bank accounts of the super-rich. They would speed up the casualisation of employment at an even faster rate and sabotage the laws that protect workers’ rights to fair treatment.
Its 2004 election manifesto called for a second-tier of workers whose wages would be set at a level equivalent to the state old-age pension! What is that if not poverty pay?
And the youth wage subsidy would be yet another way of transferring more money from the tax-payers to the employers.
The illusion that structural problems of unemployment can be solved by deregulating the labour market is justified by neither historical facts nor current experience. Unemployment is not caused by the high cost of labour, nor trade unions, nor low labour productivity, nor inadequate skills of the workforce - but the nature of our economy.
COSATU represents the working class and the poor, while the DA speaks for big business, the wealthy and the privileged.
They are not the saviours of the unemployed youth but their biggest enemy!
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SADTU replies to Helen Zille
Nomusa Cembi, SADTU Media Officer, 17 May 2013
Zille and the DA reactionaries want to turn the clock back to before 1994.
SADTU notes that the leader of the main opposition party in South Africa, Helen Zille of the Democratic Alliance, has exploited and misrepresented the publication of the recent NEEDU report so as to launch an attack on SADTU.
This gratuitous attack on SADTU appeared in the DA newsletter, “SA Today”, and also on the Politicsweb web site (15 May 2013).
The requirement for NEEDU - the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit - was first formally articulated in a resolution passed at the 52nd (Polokwane) conference of our liberation movement, the African National Congress, in December 2007.
SADTU has actively and publicly supported NEEDU from its conception.
Zille wants to exploit this report, but is actually unable to avoid writing that “There is never a simple answer to a complex question. There are many variables at work, including children’s home circumstances.”
Somehow, this undoubted truth - which is still not the whole truth - does not prevent Zille from drawing all sorts of generalised conclusions about SADTU.
The whole truth would have to include the dilapidated state of school buildings, the slow provision of all other resources and the quality of leadership of the Department of Basic Education.
The whole truth would include the necessary development of the teachers, requested by SADTU, which is a matter upon which the NEEDU report spends considerable time. Zille reduces NEEDU’s careful presentation on this crucial matter to the following (Zille’s words): “A large proportion of South African teachers can’t teach, and many won’t make the effort required to do so.”
Zille wants to blame the teachers; more especially SADTU teachers.
We as SADTU are able to see that the DA under Helen Zille is aiming for something else, and not for the Quality Public Education that SADTU stands for.
Helen Zille and the DA want to roll the South African clock back to before 1994. In the process they are finding fault everywhere, and blaming everyone, except themselves and the apartheid legacy of which they are a part, for every difficulty.
SADTU teachers, with all the problems that they bravely face each day, are from Zille’s point of view only some useful pawns in her DA game of denigrations and insults, all with the aim of turning the South African clock back to white supremacy, Western-Cape style.
SADTU is proud of being part of the liberation movement of South Africa.
We say to the DA: Know your SADTU!
We are the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union founded in the presence of Nelson Mandela, with his blessing and with his participation. We are not among those like the DA who would wish to air-brush over their nasty past, and try to re-decorate it with false claims, lies, and borrowed or stolen histories.
The reactionary DA of Helen Zille wants to destroy the liberation movement, the one that stands for People’s Education for People’s Power, entirely.
Helen Zille and the DA would bury the entire labour movement if they could, and the African National Congress with it, and sit on our graves crowing and boasting pretending that the DA has taken on our Liberation Movement’s shape and its life.
The DA wants to wipe out our movement and to bring back white minority rule. This is the message Helen Zille is sending.
The DA under Helen Zille has become odious to righteous people. There is not even a fragment of democracy in them.
We will never forget how Zille called the black children of South Africa “refugees” so as to make them feel unwelcome in their own country.
Issued by: SADTU Secretariat
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COSATU WC calls for dismissal of Minister Donald Grant
Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU W Cape Provincial Secretary, 17 May 2013
COSATU is outraged at the flippant comments made by Western Cape Education Minister Donald Grant at the school where a learner was murdered.
For a Minister to make such a statement at a time like this, that “only taxes and death is guaranteed”, is completely insensitive.
This statement essentially seeks to say that it’s your time so nothing can be done to avoid it.
The Minister is responsible for ensuring that there is a safe environment for learners at schools.
He has failed at this and now compounds his incompetence with such insensitive statements.
When he gets to the next school where he risks learners’ futures and lives with his incompetence, the learners should teach him a lesson in respecting them.
What is clear is that this is a perfect case of Cadre deployment from the side of the DA and Helen Zille. But this is a Cadre with absolutely no skills. He previously played a dubious role in the Crayfish industry. This man had at least confessed when he was appointed that he knew nothing about education, and he is now confirming that statement with every action that he takes.
COSATU calls for an investigation by the National Department of Education, into this mismanagement of Education in the Western Cape.
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NEHAWU condemns death of twenty three initiates in Mpumalanga
Sizwe Pamla, NEHAWU National Media Liaison Officer, 17 May 2013
NEHAWU condemns the death of twenty three initiates in Mpumalanga and is calling for the intervention by the national department of health and the provincial administration.
What is even more abominable and perplexing is the reluctance of the Health MEC in the province, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini to intervene because of cultural sensitivities.
While NEHAWU respects culture and people’s belief systems, we find it irresponsible, preposterous and even immoral that young people’s lives are destroyed in the name tradition.
The MEC`s decision not to intervene is not just reckless and absurd but is a dereliction of duty.
She needs to account to the people of Mpumalanga and South Africa and also has to give good reasons why; she still deserves the trust of the people of this country.
Male circumcision is not only relevant as a cultural ritual but is also important for medical reasons. It has been proven that medical male circumcision reduces the rate of HIV/Aids infection by almost 40/60%.
We therefore fully support male circumcision but insists that it should be performed by well trained individuals and precautions should be made including the clampdown on bogus traditional surgeons.
Young people need to be tested for HIV/Aids, Blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases before they undergo the procedures.
Underage teens need to get parental consent.
Proper emergency arrangements need to be made during these procedures including follow-up consultations with properly qualified medical practitioners.
All surgeons need to strictly adhere to health standards and it is shameful that the guardian of these standards in Mpumalanga province is busy pandering to traditionalists with their archaic interpretation of customs .
The human rights in this country are enshrined in our constitution and cannot be handed over to cultural demagogues with their antiquated interpretations and methods.
Issued by: NEHAWU Secretariat Office
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SAMA welcomes Professor Karabus home
Dr Mzukisi Grootboom, SAMA Chairperson , 17 May 2013
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) welcomes Professor Cyril Karabus back home after a protracted ordeal in the UAE.
SAMA is delighted at his return following numerous interventions by health organisations and professionals both locally and globally.
Nine months of his life were consumed, 2 months being spent in jail, after being arrested in August 2012 at Dubai airport whilst in transit to SA.
The manslaughter charges dated back to 2002 and related to the unfortunate death of a child with leukaemia whom he attended to while briefly working in the UAE in 2002, following his retirement from a lifelong career in the South African public health sector.
He was consequently completely exonnerated of all chargres.
"We express our relief and delight at his return and we would like to express our happiness and joy for his family and thank everyone for the collective effort in supporting the campaign that put pressure on the UAE authorities to release Professor Karabus", said SAMA Chairman, Dr Mzukisi Grootboom.
Professor Karabus has once again highlighted that if you stand on principle, the truth will prevail.
SAMA also expressed its gratitude to the efforts of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for all their assistance in this regard.
It also wishes to once again remind its members of the perils of working in the UAE.
Issued by:
Dr Mzukisi Grootboom
Chairperson: SAMA
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DENOSA to present a paper on Nurses response to TB in the 21st Century
Sibongiseni Delihlazo, DENOSA Communications Manager, 17 May 2013
DENOSA Deputy General Secretary, Madithapo Masemola, will on Sunday 19th May present a paper during one of the plenary sessions at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Quadrennial Congress in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday the 19th of May on Nurses response to Tuberculosis in the 21st Century.
The ICN Congress kicks off from the 18th up until the 23rd of May.
In spite of recent gains made in progress towards Millennium Development Goals overall, Africa still lags behind with continued increases in prevalence and mortality. There is a growing acknowledgement of the added risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially diabetes, on the potential for contracting TB.
The emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) is way ahead of access to effective treatment which, particularly in low-income countries, is available to only a very small percentage of those diagnosed with the disease.
The role of nurses is crucial to addressing these challenges effectively from primary through to acute settings to ensure high levels of awareness, prompt diagnosis and good quality person-centred care throughout to enable patients to successfully complete treatment. Nurses face these challenges at personal, professional and political levels and this symposium will give examples of all three, highlighting the potential for nurses to have a real and important impact on the global epidemic.
With South Africa standing at number three in the world in terms of TB infection, the country is pulling all stops to ensure sufficient management of the disease. DENOSA is also playing a leading role in the project through its MDR-TB training for nurse educators countrywide, a TB project that is supported by ICN.
DENOSA collaborates with the Department of Health in conducting training workshops to train nurse educators from nursing institutions, as well as managers from various health centres, on MDR-TB management and treatment. The project aims to have trained 200 nurse educators from health institutions by June this year.
DENOSA changed the format of the project so that the training targets nurse educators who in turn will impart the recent knowledge to the students they teach, in order to increase awareness on the treatment and management of the disease and apply the knowledge when they get to the workplace after completing studies.
Furthermore, DENOSA runs a non-communicable disease (NCD) project in Mafikeng in the North West as a way to promote healthy lifestyle among professionals as well as community members. The project began last year and is funded by research-based pharmaceutical company PFIZER, and is also part of a research project for North West University.
Every Wednesday health workers at the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital embark on aerobic sessions, while a gardening project has been set up at the Tshidi Barolong village.
DENOSA has set up soccer and netball teams which play regularly as a way to keep them fit, and thus avoiding non-communicable diseases.
In April, participants of the project went for a healthy screening where they tested for blood pressure, HIV, TB, sugar levels and others.
The Preliminary results of the project will be presented at the ICN Congress, where two nurses from Mafikeng Hospital, Lerato Matsipane and Mary Gopane will share the outcomes of the project with their fellow nurses from around the world.
Issued by Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)
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COSATU Northern Cape statement on the increasing violence against women and children
Anele Gxoyiya, COSATU Northern Cape Provincial Secretary, 17 May 2013
The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Northern Cape welcomes the conviction of David Dlamini for the rape of a seven year old girl in 2010 in Diamond Park in Kimberley.
We are however disappointed at the light sentence that he has been given and the insinuation by the magistrate that a child’s rape cannot be classified as a brutal crime.
We are of the view that the statement of the magistrate is very reckless in the light of the increasing crimes against women and children. In our eyes the rape of the child constitutes a violent act that destroys the future of the victim and therefore needs to be classified as such.
We call on that magistrate to reflect for a moment and imagine what would have happened if that rapist violated her own child.
We do not believe that she would have advanced the same argument.
Dlamini has been sentences to eighteen years in prison, six of which has been suspended for five years. This therefore means that he will spend twelve years in prison. In our view there is no way that such a sentence can serve as a deterrent to possible criminals of the same nature.
It is morally inconceivable for a man of this age, and any age for that matter, to rape a child young enough to be his granddaughter or even any woman.
The sentence on Dlamini is a slap in the face for those like us who are committed to the fight against violence on women and children.
We are of the view that a minimum sentence for such a crime is life imprisonment.
We do not need rapists and murderers in our communities; they deserve to rot in jail.
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City spin doctors lies to Cape Town citizens
Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, 17 May 2013
The shambles caused recently by the claims that the City used the wrong law to evict people should be investigated – above and beyond the moral questions in relation to the evictions of people with no alternative accommodation.
What is clear is that the City had orchestrated a massive cover up - if the allegations in the corridors are to be believed.
The Communications Department of the City is the spin doctors that are charged with deceiving the citizens of the City, in the poor communities.
In this instance the City Communications Department had given the media the wrong information in relation to the legislation that was used regarding the evictions.
Instead of owning the problem, the City again tried more elaborate spin to try and talk the problem away.
What is clear though is that the City Communications heads, who are the highest paid of all Municipalities collectively, had given the media wrong information.
The over-priced heads of department, Kyle Hatton and her boss had not picked up the problem and then tried to hide the fact.
COSATU calls for an investigation by the City into this conduct of these officials that brought the City into disrepute and also borders on fraudulent conduct.
We will also be referring the matter to the press ombudsman.
This trend of deceiving the Citizens of Cape Town must be brought to an end by these shameless spin doctors.
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The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa’s (PWMSA) is hosting a special National General Council at Irene over weekend
The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa’s (PWMSA Zanele Hlatshwayo, Executive Director, 17 May 2013
The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa’s (PWMSA) is hosting a special National General Council which will take place on the 18th – 19th May 2013 at St. Georges Hotel, Irene (Pretoria). The theme is: Advancing Women’s Economic Inclusion and Empowerment in Honour of Mme Charlotte Maxeke and all our women heroes.
Without economic freedom, it is impossible for the women of South Africa to enjoy other freedoms associated with our political freedom.
Approximately 200 women from the nine provinces are expected to attend the meeting. They will be representing different sectors of society including NGOs, artists, politics, business, churches, media and government.
The PWMSA National Steering Committee under the leadership of its President and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize, will present a UNDP driven model of Women’s Inclusion in Economic Participation.
This model will result in training of women entrepreneurs nationally, exposure to business opportunities at the local level as well as exchange programmes with women from countries that share similar demographics to South Africa, facilitated by the UNDP and other international partners of the PWMSA.
PWMSA has invited relevant government structures to support the programme such as the Department of Trade and Industry and other agencies responsible for Enterprise Development and Access to Credit.
At provincial level, we will request provincial Convenors to get the buy-in of Premiers and economic development structures, essentially cascading the model to the local level.
Issued by
Zanele Hlatshwayo
Executive Director
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The Gauteng Liquor Bill, 2013 goes ahead to a Public Hearing at Gauteng Legislature on June 10, 2013
Sithembele Tshwete, Gauteng Legislature Senior Media Officer, 17 May 2013
The Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, led by Siphiwe Mgcina has noted various media reports that make repeated reference to ‘withdrawal of the Gauteng Liquor Bill’ with concern.
The committee wishes to indicate that these media reports are not the accurate and may have missed the process and the substantive issues raised in this Bill.
The Committee wishes to state that the Bill is not withdrawn from the process of being considered at the Gauteng Legislature.
The first of five public hearings about the Bill will be held on the 10th of June at the Gauteng Legislature.
The substantive issues raised by the bill seek to:
· Provide for the control and licensing of the retail sale and supply of liquor in the province
· Provide for the micro-manufacturing of liquor within the Liquor Board and its committees
· Establish the Liquor Appeals Board
· Regulate the application of licences
· Regulate the granting of different kinds of licences
· Promote responsible consumption of liquor in the province
· Appoint liquor inspectors and enforcement procedures
The public hearing will be held as follows:
Date: 10 June 2013
Time: 09: 00
Venue: Johannesburg City Hall
Address: Conner Loveday and President, JHB CBD
For more information please call:
Sithembele Tshwete
Senior Media Officer
Gauteng Legislature
072 479 9831 OR
073 272 1516
International
Statement by the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman, on the occasion of welcoming Prof. Cyril Karabus to South Africa, Cape Town International Airport, 17 May 2013
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, 17 May 2013
We welcome home our compatriot, Prof. Cyril Karabus, whose prolonged ordeal in the United Arab Emirates is well documented.
We are elated to have Prof. Karabus back in Cape Town, South Africa, where his absence for almost eight months was felt mostly so by his close family as well as the broader family, i.e. the South African nation.
Before I go any further, I would like, on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa, to thank the following:
1. Prof. Karabus and members of his family for their full cooperation, understanding and patience during what has been a long, tedious and (at times) frustrating period;
2. The legal team that worked with Prof. Karabus as part of his defence team, for ensuring that justice is done and that Prof. Karabus returns home with a clean name after having been cleared of any wrongdoing by the relevant legal authorities in the UAE;
3. The Government of the UAE, in particular my counterpart in that country and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, both of whom were willing to engage with us on the concerns we had with regard to the delays encountered during Prof. Karabus' time in the UAE.
I must reiterate here a point we have made on previous occasions, that the South African Government respects the independence of the judiciary and its processes in the UAE, and that we are committed to maintaining our cordial diplomatic and trade relations with the UAE.
4. Civil society played an important role in highlighting the plight of Prof. Karabus, thereby putting a spot light on a process that appeared to deprive the Professor of his right to a fair trial.
The medical fraternity, the media, business organisations and individuals all had a hand in agitating for the freedom that Prof. Karabus has come home to enjoy.
The South African government, through its diplomatic mission in the UAE and through efforts coordinated from Head Office, has been closely monitoring the case of Prof. Karabus, as is the practice when any of our citizens are distressed abroad.
The South African Government took all the necessary steps to ensure that Professor Karabus receives a fair and just trial and that such efforts take place at a high level.
I personally travelled to the UAE and met representatives of the government as well as Prof Karabus. Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane engaged her counterpart on the matter.
Our Mission staff attended all court appearances, visited the Professor regularly and we maintained contact with the family.
In short, the South African government went an extra mile on behalf of its citizen.
Although it was not possible for South Africa to influence or interfere with the judicial process in another sovereign state, we ensured that our Government remains seized with the matter till it is concluded.
The South African Government persistently and successfully called on the Government of the UAE to expedite the matter and to bring it to finality.
We rendered extensive consular assistance to Professor Karabus and his family.
We once again thank everyone who took interest in this matter.
Thank you.
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Reminder-Ahmed Kathrada report back on his visit to Palestine
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, 17 May 2103
Rivonia trialist, former Robben Island prisoner and anti-apartheid stalwart, Ahmed Kathrada reports back on his recent trip to Palestine.
Date: Friday 17th May
Time: 19:00
Venue: Siva Gnana Sabay Sivan Koil Hall Lenasia Extension 1 (Temple on the corner of Hummingbird and Robin Avenue, at the Circle behind the Soccer Stadium)
Hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and supported by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) and the African National Congress (ANC) Lenasia branch.
For further details and to RSVP, contact Shaeheda on 011 854 0082 OR email sha...@kathradafoundation.org
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ILO Director-General's statement on International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
ILO, 17 May 2013
On International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, says the ILO is stepping up efforts to eradicate workplace discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The world of work has been a crucial arena for spearheading legal change, ending stereotypes and promoting understanding of the need for dignity of all human beings.
Through advancing workplace rights for women, persons with disabilities and people living with HIV, the ILO has been, and continues to be, at the forefront in advancing human rights for all workers. The progress in recognizing the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people over the past decade is undeniable. However, major challenges remain. On this important day for world recognition of equality for all, the ILO affirms its commitment to strive for workplaces free of discrimination on all grounds, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Using international labour standards to end discrimination and the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, member States have been vigilant in identifying and opposing unfair treatment in the workplace; yet until recently, discrimination against LGBT persons has not been a specific focus of action. This has changed and we are now undertaking targeted research in a selected number of countries to start tracking workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, with a view to promoting workplaces that champion equality and diversity in all its forms.
Promoting workplace rights for LGBT women and men reflects the attention being given to such rights in other UN fora. More than 60 member States have acknowledged sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination under the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111); and the ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Standards and Recommendations has welcomed this development.
While there is undoubtedly progress on LGBT rights, both in the workplace and beyond, LGBT workers still suffer discrimination and harassment. Moreover, from 2011 to 2012, there was a slight increase – from 76 to 78 – in the number of countries with legislation criminalizing people on the basis of their sexual orientation. On the positive side, in the same period, several countries adopted legislation to prevent such discrimination in the workplace.
The ILO’s social justice mandate means promoting employment in conditions of freedom, equity, human security and dignity for all: we bring this agenda founded respect for rights, acceptance of diversity and tolerance to the realization of decent work for LGBT women and men.
__________________
Zambian miners strike for wages
Anita Gardner, IndustriALL Global Union Director of Communications, 17 May 2013
“Whilst we are happy with progress we are making in wage negotiations, we aslo want to see improvement in working conditions in the mines” said Joseph Chewe, General Secretary of MUZ.
Under the leadership of the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ, workers have taken strike action to secure better deals in wage negotiations.
About 600 workers at Luanshya Copper Mines embarked on strike action on two occasions a week apart during the negotiations. MUZ secured a 15 per cent increase up from the 6 per cent initially on the table.
At Ndola Lime, 400 workers went on strike demanding an improvement in salary and finally settled on 9.5 per cent.
“Our mines should wait for strikes to improve salaries and working conditions at the table, our members have shown that they are prepared to take action on these issues,”said Chewe.
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17 May - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
Teresa Marshall, PSI Communications Coordinator, 17 May 2013
Standing in solidarity to overcome prejudice and discrimination!
The global union federation Public Services International (PSI) urges affiliate members to use the opportunity of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, 17 May, to promote understanding and defend the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people in our workplaces and communities.
Homophobia or transphobia, in any form, is damaging and even life-threatening. PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli says, “On this day, and every day of the year, we must commit to standing in solidarity with LGBT sisters and brothers to combat marginalization, violence and abuse based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Because of the threat of harassment or censure, many people choose not to disclose their sexual orientation – especially at their places of work. Trade unions can and do take action at national and international levels to protect LGBT workers’ rights and to overcome prejudice and discrimination.
Recruiting and retaining LGBT workers can in turn benefit a union through growing its negotiating strength and representative capacity. Indeed, the more diverse a union proves itself to be, the more effectively it will be able to recruit from a broad range of equity-seeking communities, and strengthen collective power to defend trade union and human rights.
For more information, please contact PSI’s Equality and Trade Union Rights OfficerSandra.V...@world-psi.org
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IDAHO: Governments must honour human rights’ obligations
Education International, 17 May 2013
On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia on 17 May, EI calls on governments to honour the obligations outlined in the UN Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action (UN VDPA, June 1993). Those obligations have been affirmed as universal, indivisible and consistent with all human rights.
EI celebrates the progress achieved towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the last 20 years. It urges member organisations to take more concrete steps to advance non-discriminatory quality education, making human and trade union rights the centre of our union actions plans.
Progress… but not enough
Homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 17 May 1990. However, 70 countries still criminalise same-sex relationships, and five enforce the death penalty against homosexuals.
Achieving equality and non-discrimination
Education is a basic human right that empowers people to exercise all of their fundamental rights, including trade union rights, without discrimination of any kind.
“In the school environment, homophobia is a direct violation of the right to quality education,” said UNESCO Director Irina Bokova. Schools are “a safe environment which States are responsible for guaranteeing”, she added.
Quality education requires all schools to address discrimination - challenging prejudices and gender stereotypes, harassment and bullying, including homophobic harassment.
Free, public and inclusive school systems require all the necessary financial means, including teacher-education programmes that promote meaningful, engaged learning for every student, regardless of gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic background, among others.
Training for teachers should outline how to promote anti-discriminatory behaviour in the classroom; it should ensure the inclusion of human rights and non-homophobic training for teachers at all levels. Recruitment policies should reflect the full spectrum of society, in terms of gender, class, ethnic origins or beliefs, sexuality, disability, and migrant communities.
Governments must be pro-active in promoting inclusive recruitment policies and must remove any barriers to entry to the teacher profession– including discrimination against LGBT people at work - arising from sexist, racist or homophobic beliefs and behaviour.
20 years on: The struggle continues for LGBT rights
The Vienna UN World Conference on Human Rights (1993) was a vital step forward in recognising human rights. During the conference, lobbied for by civil society organisations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Right (OHCHR) was created. The OHCHR has since successfully addressed discrimination against LGBT people.
In March 2012, the first formal UN debate on LGBT issues was held at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The UN resolution, “Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, adopted by the Human Rights Council (17 June 2011), commissioned the UN report, “Discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity”.
The report, released by the OHCHR, outlines “a pattern of human rights violations… that demands a response”, and says governments have too often overlooked violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
At an international level, the rise in conservatism - and fundamentalism in certain countries - is a matter of concern. Some States, conservative and religious groups are blocking the realisation of human rights for all by making statements that seek to weaken the human rights language enshrined in previous agreements.
They have opposed provisions which would have further enhanced the set of measures against gender-based violence and further enshrined sexual and health rights, LGBT rights or migrant rights.
Manipulation of intent
Today, some States seek to manipulate the words of the Vienna Declaration to give them the exact opposite meaning than intended. Instead of the ‘universality’ of human rights, they speak of ‘universally recognised’ human rights, seeking to exclude those they do not recognise.
Additionally, they invoke the principle of ‘non-discrimination’, and then explain why this principle does not apply to LGBT people. Appeals to ‘traditional values’ are increasing, substituting cultural relativism for universal standards.
Social reforms, such as same-sex marriage adopted by France, aroused strong opposition from conservative and ultra-catholic groups – in a country where the Roman Catholic Church was thought to have lost much of its influence over the public.
No more words, time for action
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that homophobic bullying is "a moral outrage, a grave violation of human rights and a public health crisis".
EI holds similarly strong views. “Education unions have a role to play in promoting actions to prevent discrimination, including homophobia and transphobia, in trade union and in education,” said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen.
“EI is making sure that the human rights of all trade union members are protected from discrimination at the workplace, particularly for LGBT people, whose very existence is denied by some governments.”
EI calls on all members to defend, and expand, trade union rights, including the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for all, including LGBT people.
Additional links:
The High Commissioner's report to the Human Rights Council on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (15 December 2011)
UNESCO's Booklet "Good Policy and Practice in HIV and Health Education"
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WFTU-ICATU high level meeting concluded on closer cooperation
WFTU, 17 May 2013
A high-level meeting between the ICATU leadership and WFTU Secretariat was hosted on May 17th, 2013 at the Central Offices of the WFTU in Athens, Greece.
Brother Rajab Maatoug, General Secretary of the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU) met with the WFTU General Secretary, George Mavrikos, the Deputy General Secretary Valentin Pacho, Gilda Chacon from CTC Cuba and Arab Relations Consultant, Mohammed Iqnaibi in a highly fraternal spirit.
ICATU and WFTU discussed on the developments in the Arab World and internationally, the role of the two organizations and their strong cooperation.
A rich programme of common activities in the arab world and other regions was concluded.
In his statement the ICATU General Secretary noted: “I am very glad for this visit and to meet the General Secretary of the WFTU. The aim of this visit was to exchange the views about the Trade Union Movement around the world and the challenges which the workers are facing during this time. Also we exchanged the views about the situation in the Arab region after what happened recently”.
The General Secretary of the WFTU underlined that “historically WFTU and ICATU have brotherly relations. Today they are becoming stronger and stronger. We support ICATU and its leadership who are facing attacks from ITUC. The aim of ITUC is to split the arab trade unions and to destroy ICATU” and he emphasized that: “we are on the side of the Arab people. On the side of the Palestinian people, of the Syrian People, of the Lebanese people, the people of Libya and Iraq. We demand the imperialist interventions to stop immediately.”
The Gerenal Secretary of the WFTU, George Mavrikos called “the members and friends of the WFTU to work closely with ICATU and its leadership”.
Announcements
NEHAWU vacancy a for Tshwane Regional Organizer
Location: Tshwane Region | Date: 16 May 2013 |
Job Title: | Organizer X 2 |
Province: | Gauteng Province |
Reporting to: | Regional Secretary |
Grade: | Grade B4 |
Main Purpose: To Effectively organize and represent workers |
Key Performance Areas:
§ To organize and recruit workers within the scope of the union;
§ To co-ordinate collective bargaining work of the union and lead negotiations in all companies and institutions where we bargain locally;
§ To build strong and vibrant branches, shop stewards committees and substructures capable of providing high quality service and representation to members, and attend meetings as necessary;
§ To assist in training and supporting shop stewards and office bearers;
§ To work with Paralegal Officer in building strong paralegal team within the region capable of representing members in disciplinary cases, conciliation and arbitration;
§ To represent members in grievance and disciplinary hearings where and when shop stewards and branch office bearers are unable to do so, and to refer cases to conciliation and arbitration;
§ To submit monthly reports and programs to the Regional Secretary and Phosec
The Person:
Individuals meeting the following criteria are to apply:
§ Matric or equivalent thereof
§ Experience of working in a trade union movement
§ Experience in Microsoft Office packages
§ Prepared to work flexible hours
§ Report writing skills
§ Drafting of Agreements
§ Organizing
§ Good Communication skills
§ Knowledge and interpretation of legislation
§ Valid Driver’s License
Remuneration:
Membership of Nehawu Provident Fund
Medical Aid
Housing Subsidy subject to completion of the qualifying period
Membership of the NEHAWU Group Schemes
13th Cheque; and
Salary is based on the Nehawu salary grading system.
Applications:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Regional Organiser position. Applications must be accompanied by a C.V., list of at least two references and copy of qualifications must be addressed to:
The Provincial Secretary
Provincial Office
P.O. Box 7394
Johannesburg
2000
Fax to : (011) 333 1696
Email to : gpadmin...@nehawu.org.za
Closing Date:
Closing date for applications is 30 May 2013
No late applications will be accepted
________________
NEHAWU Vacancy for a Vuyani Mabaxa Regional [Jhb] Organizer
Location: Vuyani Mabaxa (Greater JHB) Region | Date: 16 May 2013 |
Job Title: | Organizer |
Province: | Gauteng Province |
Reporting to: | Regional Secretary |
Grade: | Grade B4 |
Main Purpose: To Effectively organize and represent workers |
Key Performance Areas:
§ To organize and recruit workers within the scope of the union;
§ To co-ordinate collective bargaining work of the union and lead negotiations in all companies and institutions where we bargain locally;
§ To build strong and vibrant branches, shop stewards committees and substructures capable of providing high quality service and representation to members, and attend meetings as necessary;
§ To assist in training and supporting shop stewards and office bearers;
§ To work with Paralegal Officer in building strong paralegal team within the region capable of representing members in disciplinary cases, conciliation and arbitration;
§ To represent members in grievance and disciplinary hearings where and when shop stewards and branch office bearers are unable to do so, and to refer cases to conciliation and arbitration;
§ To submit monthly reports and programs to the Regional Secretary and Phosec
The Person:
Individuals meeting the following criteria are to apply:
§ Matric or equivalent thereof
§ Experience of working in a trade union movement
§ Experience in Microsoft Office packages
§ Prepared to work flexible hours
§ Report writing skills
§ Drafting of Agreements
§ Organizing
§ Good Communication skills
§ Knowledge and interpretation of legislation
§ Valid Driver’s License
Remuneration:
Membership of Nehawu Provident Fund
Medical Aid
Housing Subsidy subject to completion of the qualifying period
Membership of the NEHAWU Group Schemes
13th Cheque; and
Salary is based on the Nehawu salary grading system.
Applications:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Regional Organiser position.
Applications must be accompanied by a C.V., list of at least two references and copy of qualifications must be addressed to:
The Provincial Secretary
Provincial Office
P.O. Box 7394
Johannesburg
2000
Fax to : (011) 333 1696
Email to : gpadmin...@nehawu.org.za
Closing Date:
Closing date for applications is 30 May 2013
No late applications will be accepted
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Chris Hani Institute & City Press Public Debate Invitation!
Dear Comrades,
We invite you to a Debate.
Engaging the National Development Plan: Old wine in new bottles?
Jeremy Cronin, Deputy General Secretary, SACP
and
Bobby Godsell, National Planning Commissioner
Moderator: Devan Pillay, Wits University
Date: 24 May 2013
Time: 15h00
Venue: 2nd Floor, Cosatu House, 110 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein
RSVP: pris...@chi.org.za or 082 574 2315; Tel: (011) 339 3040 Fax (011) 339 3041
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The South African Medical Association Vacancy for IR Advisor
IR Advisor Post
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is seeking to appoint an Industrial Relations Advisor in the Public Sector Division;
Job Purpose: To provide consulting services, representation, support and advice on complex labour and employment related matters to members of SAMA within the assigned provinces.
Job Responsibilities:
Operations
· To provide expert advice and support to members on labour law and labour disputes on a daily basis.
· To represent SAMA members at grievance process level, disciplinary hearing, conciliation, arbitration and designated labour court proceedings to ensure adherence to fair labour practice and overall integrity.
· Draft and process all legal correspondence in prosecuting disputes on behalf of members in the dispute resolution forums and in particular at the labour court level
· Ensure that favourable outcomes for members are implemented fully by the employer as per the agreements.
Research & Development
· To keep abreast of current legal trends and labour law and ensure that effective research is conducted on precedents to ensure that accurate advice, representation and negotiation can be done on behalf of the SAMA members.
Reporting
· Monitor current trends in the public health service and proactively advise members of any changes through publications of IR articles in the SAMA insider.
· Ensure that all IR enquiries and disputes are correctly captured onto the case management system thereby ensuring that all cases are managed effectively and efficiently.
General
· Work together with colleagues to ensure that the best possible service is provided to SAMA’s members at all times.
· Maintains records, prepares reports and composes correspondence relative to the daily work of an IR Advisor.
· Assist when required the Organising and Bargaining Unit with negotiations on conditions of service for the public sector member by representing SAMA members at required bargaining structures.
Job Requirements:
• 3 year B degree in HRM / Labour Relations or National Diploma in Labour Law
• 3-5 years experience in a similar role
• 2-3 years experience in the public healthcare sector is desirable
• Extensive knowledge of Labour Laws such as LRA, BCEA, OHSA, PSA, EEA, etc.
• Knowledge of Government Regulations and Policies
• Knowledge of Public Service Collecting agreements
• Understanding of Collective Bargaining and Union Environment
• Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and procedures of collective bargaining
• Knowledge of rules and standards of conduct in the public sectors.
• LLB degree is desirable
• IRASA Membership is desirable
Term: Permanent
To apply: submit a covering letter and a detailed CV to Odessa Sifora
Email: ode...@samedical.org
Closing date: 24 May 2013
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The South African Medical Association Organising and Bargaining Officer Vacancy
Organising and Bargaining Officer Post
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is seeking to appoint a Organising and Bargaining Officer in the Public Sector Division;
Job Purpose:
To represent SAMA and its members at collective bargaining forums and manage collective bargaining agreements, disputes and submissions on behalf of the Trade Union. Ensure that all SAMA representatives at the relevant Trade union subcommittees and Branches market and recruit new members, identify issues and support all Trade Union initiatives across the country.
Job Responsibilities
Project Management
· To coordinate designated projects relating to the organising and collective bargaining function, including the Public service bargaining Councils, provincial chambers and other committees
· Assist in the implementation of the key objectives as directed by the relevant trade union committees or subcommittees or as required by the external market and collective bargaining arenas.
· Coordinate the setting up of the trade union structures and collective bargaining functions
· In conjunction with the Unit Manager and other internal stakeholders, coordinate and support all efforts relating to industrial action and ensure that SAMA’s image is upheld at all times.
Relationship Management
· Attend designed meetings relating to the Trade Union function including COSATU structures, Public service Bargaining structures and committees as directed by the Unit Manager and ensure accurate representation of SAMA.
· Provide feedback to all internal stakeholders after meetings to ensure effective knowledge sharing and generation of actions to address current concerns, trends or opportunities.
· Build and maintain effective working relationships with external key stakeholders to ensure that SAMA is at the forefront of negotiations and latest news and trends in the Collective Bargaining arena.
Marketing
· In conjunction with the unit Manager and other internal stakeholders like the Marketing Department, assist in the development of a targeted recruitment drive to attract potential non members to grow the SAMA Trade Union membership.
· Ensure ongoing running of campaigns to recruit new members for the Trade Union and SAMA
Operations
· Ensure that all collective bargaining demands from members are consolidated, researched and submitted for negotiations.
· Assist the Unit Manger in drafting collective agreements, policies and procedures relating to this function and ensure they are submitted timeously and where required implemented effectively.
· Assist in the research and monitoring of legislation and case law relevant to this function to ensure that SAMA is consistently proactive and market leaders in terms of policy development and procedures relating to the Collective Bargaining Division and functionality.
Job Requirements:
• Diploma in Labour Relations/Law
• Postgraduate Qualification in Labour Relations/Law is desirable
• 2-5 years collective bargaining experience
• 1-3 years drafting submissions for consideration
• Knowledge of Collective bargaining procedures
• Knowledge of all legislation relating to the healthcare industry and labour(LRA,EEA,BCEA,NHA,OHSA
etc)
• Advanced negotiating skills
• Computer Skills(MS Office)
• Excellent Communication skills(verbal and report writing)
• Conflict Resolution
• Presentation skills
• Persuading an influencing skills
Term: Permanent
To apply: submit a covering letter and a detailed CV to Odessa Sifora
Email: ode...@samedical.org
Closing date: 24 May 2013
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SACP Political Lecture in memory of Comrade Juda Tsotetsi Invitation!
Advance & Deepen Working Class Power and Hegemony in All Key Sites of Struggle
Nomusa Keninda, Juda Tsotsetsi SACP Branc, 17 May 2013
Comrade,
You are invited to attend the SACP POLITICAL LECTURE IN MEMORY OF Comrade JUDA TSOTETSI
Date: 18 MAY 2013(Saturday)
Venue: Thanduxolo Hall( Behind Emalahleni Civic Centre)
Time : 10HOO Sharp
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COSATU skinning in the game of social media-Enabling the trade union movement to nurture a communicative platform
The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions has broken new grounds by enabling its members and the society at large, to shape its progressive work.
Follow COSATU General Secretary, cde Zwelinzima Vavi @zwelinzima1 and also COSATU’s Official twitter handles @_cosatu and @cosatu2015, for a second to second update on issues affecting the working class in South Africa and elsewhere.
And the Federation has a Facebook Page ; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Congress-of-South-Africa-Trade-Unions-Cosatu-Today/390972744302076?fref=ts
Forward with building a strong and vibrant trade union movement through a communication platform.
An injury to one is an injury to all!
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Follow Fred van Leeuwen on Twitter!-EI GS
Education International
EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen is now on Twitter - follow @fredvanleeuwen for news, views, insights and highlights from the global education scene.
"Twitter is an amazing tool. Anyone can publish, and re-publish, information instantly, and thus distribute knowledge to thousands of people within minutes. Look at the revolutions in Arab countries that relied on Twitter for rapid communication; or the heated debates that spring up on Twitter during large events like the State of the Union address in the United States - these events show the immense potential the service has," he said.
"I am happy to be able to contribute, and look forward to sharing and discussing with colleagues and friends via Twitter."
To follow Fred van Leeuwen on Twitter, click here to go to@fredvanleeuwen, his Twitter profile. It is also possible to follow@eduint, Education International's offical Twitter account.
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Follow ITUC Secretary General-Sharan Burrow
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Norman Mampane (Communications Officer)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Jorissen Cnr Simmonds Street
Braamfontein
2017
P.O.Box 1019
Johannesburg
2000
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911 or Direct 010 219-1342
Mobile: +27 72 416 3790
E-Mail: mam...@cosatu.org.za
