Taking COSATU Today Forward, 18 June 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 022 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward
‘Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense’-Maoo
Our side of the story
18 June 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Media Accreditation Opens for NUM 18th National Elective Congress, 24-26 June 2025
- Department of Employment and Labour’s Policy Dialogue concludes at a high note
- South Africa
- International Relations and Cooperation urges de-escalation between Iran and Israel
- Minister Nobuhle Nkabane discloses SETA Board selection panel members to the Portfolio Committee
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- India: garment workers defy illegal closure
- Educators, families, and activists unite against Trump policies in one of the largest demonstrations in U.S. history
- The WFTU condemns Israel’s attack on Iran
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Media
Accreditation Opens for NUM 18th National Elective Congress, 24-26 June 2025
Livhuwani
Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson,
17 June 2025
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) invites members of the media to apply for accreditation for its 18th National Elective Congress, taking place from 24-26 June 2025.
The Congress will be held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.
This year's Congress is organised under the theme: “The Epoch for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat Now Or Never.”
The Congress will serve as a critical platform to debate the challenges confronting workers in the mining, construction, energy and metal sectors. It will also address the current political and economic landscape in South Africa.
Distinguished delegates will include leaders from the Congress of South African
Trade Unions (COSATU), the South African Communist Party (SACP), the African National Congress (ANC), and other fraternal organisations from South Africa and abroad.
Accreditation Details: Members of the media who wish to cover the Congress must apply for accreditation by submitting their full name, ID number, and the name of their media house to the officials listed below.
The deadline for accreditation applications is Friday, 21 June 2025.
A detailed programme will be distributed to all accredited journalists closer to the date.
For accreditation and further information, please contact:
Livhuwani Mammburu NUM National Spokesperson Cell: 083 809 3257 Email: mamm...@gmail.com
Luphert Chilwane NUM Media Officer Cell: 083 809 3255 Email: lchi...@num.org.za
The National Union of Mineworkers
7
Rissik Street. Cnr Frederick
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111
Cell: 083 809 3257
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Department of Employment and Labour’s Policy Dialogue concludes at a high note
13 June 2025
The Department of Employment and Labour's Policy Dialogue session on “Transitioning of Persons with Disabilities into Employment" concluded at a high note, with participants echoing the need to work in unison in dealing with the barriers people with disabilities face in transitioning from schooling into employment.
Today the session was dedicated to three focus areas being: the identification of gaps in the policies and frameworks across all structures, how to stop working in silos when dealing with the transition of people with disabilities, and lastly, what need to be done to coordinate the policies including their implementation.
Three commissions dealt with the focus areas and some of their recommendations were that more stakeholders need to be roped in and not just the Departments of Employment and Labour, Basic Education and Higher Education and Training. Some of suggested departments are the Health and Trade and Industry as well as several Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA's).
It was suggested that a framework which better integrates the core departments which should support People with Disabilities (PWD) be developed. The framework must standardise the collaboration for NPO's, NGO's, OPD's which hold the skillset and expertise acting as anchors to implementation, leveraging academia on research and innovation.
According to the Commission that dealt with the second focus area, there must be an implementation plan that provides a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy to support the successful transition of learners with disabilities from inclusive education settings to certified skills programmes and ultimately to employment or self-employment. They suggest that the plan be coordinated at the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disability.
They presented a six phased plan which deals with coordination and planning, capacity building, learner support, skills roll-out, work transition, and monitoring and scaling. According to them several resources are required including assistive technologies and adaptive learning materials, Funding (SETA grants, tax incentives, public-private partnerships), Inclusive learning facilities and staff training, as well as Transport and support services.
Another input brought forward was that there need to be change in the procurement policy so that preference be given to organisations of people with disabilities. It was also suggested that incentives be put in place for companies that utilise services and or employ people from such institutions and organisation.
The policy dialogue was held in collaboration between the Departments of Employment and Labour, Basic Education and Higher Education and Training as well as the European Union through the Education for Employment Programme and several organisations.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694/ teboho....@labour.gov.za
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
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International Relations and Cooperation urges de-escalation between Iran and Israel
15 Jun 2025
South Africa expresses deep concern regarding the escalation of hostilities between the State of Israel and Islamic Republic of Iran. We extend our deepest condolences to the peoples of both nations suffering from the tragic loss of life.
South Africa emphasises that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be considered legitimate targets.
We reiterate our urgent call for de-escalation, restraint, and full compliance with international law by all parties to prevent further human suffering.
Enquiries:
Ministry Spokesperson
Mr Chrispin Phiri
Issued by Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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Minister Nobuhle Nkabane discloses SETA Board selection panel members to the Portfolio Committee
17 Jun 2025
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane has disclosed members of the panel for the selection and recommendation of SETA board chairs to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training – a process that has since been recalibrated.
The Minister stands ready to account to the Portfolio Committee and to respond to further request for information in this regard.
For
further information, please contact:
Camagwini Mavovana - MLO
E-mail: Mavov...@dhet.gov.za
Issued by Department of Higher Education
International-Solidarity
India: garment workers defy illegal closure
17 June, 2025
On 9 June, Celebrity Fashions Limited (CFL), a garment manufacturing company in India, illegally shut down its factory in Avadi, Tamil Nadu, unlawfully terminating 560 workers overnight. After several rounds of negotiations, managements and workers have reached an agreement, but the struggle for closure compensation continues.
CFL is a major garment exporter in India, and the imposition of unilateral closure by the company violates Indian laws regarding closure of factories and retrenchment of workers.
Under the leadership of Garment and Fashion Workers Union (GAFWU), affiliated to IndustriALL through Unions United, the illegally terminated workers, a majority of whom are women, staged sit-in protest for days and nights until management was forced to negotiate with the struggling workers. GAFWU also approached the office of Assistant Labour Commissioner, as well as filed a case in the labour court to seek remedy.
On 13 June, an agreement was reached between workers and management, according to which all workers will be paid full wages in June, along with bonus and leave encashment (compensation for unused paid leave) by 7 July. In lieu of gratuity (payment for completing a number of years in service), workers with three years of service are to be paid 45 days’ salary by 30 July, and those with at least one year of service are to be paid 15 days’ salary by 10 July.
GAFWU has demanded that brands sourcing from CFL take responsibility of their supply chain and ensure that CFL management upholds their code of conduct and respects workers’ rights, and that the government of Tamil Nadu immediately intervene and ensure that provisions under Indian law are upheld and workers be given closure compensation.
Gautam Mody, executive committee member of IndustriALL and convener of Union United, says:
“This is yet another case where the law is with the workers yet the government allows employers to close factories with impunity taking advantage of women workers who earn barely US$115 a month and simply don’t have the capacity to hold out. The union will do everything in its power to ensure that the company pays workers what is due. This situation will, however, not change until we can bring transparency in the MNC supply chain.”
Christina Hajagos Clausen, IndustriALL textile and garment director, says:
“IndustriALL salutes the struggle of GAFWU and stands in complete solidarity with the workers of Celebrity Fashions. We urge the brands sourcing from Celebrity Fashions to immediately look into the matter and address the issue of unfair labour practice at their supplier factory.”
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Educators, families, and activists unite against Trump policies in one of the largest demonstrations in U.S. history
Democracy, 17 June 2025
On June 14 millions of people took to the streets in a sweeping mobilisation against the policies of the Trump Administration in the United States. The protests spanned over 2,100 cities and towns making it the third-largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. Spearheaded by a coalition of civil society groups including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the movement sent a powerful message: democracy belongs to the people—not to kings, billionaires, or authoritarian displays of power.
The “No Kings" demonstration was organized in direct response to a military parade staged by the Trump administration in Washington, D.C. on the day of his birthday, which was sparsely attended.
“This country belongs to the people, and millions of us took to the streets because we will not let our democracy be taken away. We are fighting for opportunity for all—on No Kings Day and every day!”, said Randi Weingarten, AFT President.
“On behalf of the world’s teachers and education support personnel, we stand in solidarity with all of those taking action across the United States to defend democracy and say: no to authoritarianism”, stated David Edwards, Education International General Secretary.
Clear rejection of Trump’s policies on immigration, education, and healthcare
Teachers, education workers, and millions of people across all walks of life came together to protest the abusive policies of the Trump Administration, including the cuts to education and healthcare funding, the crackdown on freedom of expression and academic freedom on university campuses, and the aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on schools and communities.
The administration’s immigration policy is raising serious concerns among Americans. Abusive detentions and deportations as well as violent ICE raids are creating a climate of fear in communities across the country.
Anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, traditionally a sanctuary city, were met with a violent response from the Trump Administration who deployed thousands of troops, including 700 U.S. Marines, to the city despite opposition from local and state officials.
Union leader David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested while protesting ICE raids in Los Angeles. He was released on bond after spending three nights in jail but he remains charged with conspiracy to impede an officer, a felony that could result in up to six years in prison. Many fear the Administration aims to make an example out of Huerta in order to discourage other activists.
Historic day of action
Organisers of the No Kings protests estimate that more than five million people participated in more than 2,100 cities and towns, including the flagship event in Philadelphia. Over 200,000 people participated in New York, over 100,000 in Philadelphia, and some towns like Pentwater, Michigan saw 400 people join the protest, out of a population of 800.
In response to this historic day of action, the No Kings Coalition issued the following statement: “This administration disappears people while cutting their care—slashing healthcare, gutting education, and criminalizing immigrants instead of delivering dignity. But today was a reminder: we are still here. Still organizing. Still rising. Still unafraid. We don’t do kings in this country. We do solidarity. We do community. We do justice—and we do it together.”
Independence Day: Global day of solidarity with educators and education in the U.S.
On the 4th of July, Independence Day in the United States, educators around the world are rallying to express their solidarity with EI member organisations the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and public education in the U.S.
The NEA and the AFT are on the frontlines, mobilising and organising to defend public education, students, and school communities from the unrelenting attacks of the Trump administration.
Cutting funding for public education, dismantling the Department of Education, cancelling diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, financially blackmailing universities to muzzle free speech on campus are all measures that undermine the right to education and the freedom to learn. When these rights are threatened, democracy is in danger.
Click here to find out how you can join the mobilisation to defend the right to public education, academic freedom, and to stand up with educators and students in the United States.
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The WFTU condemns Israel’s attack on Iran
Central WFTU, 13 Jun 2025
The World Federation of Trade Unions strongly condemns Israel’s attack on Iran. This attack is yet another blatant violation of the principles of international law, and it increases the dangers to peace and security in the region and across the globe.
It marks yet another step in the escalation of aggression by the murderous state. It is clear that this arrogance and aggression are fuelled by the support of the United States and its allies.
The WFTU calls on its affiliates and friends to intensify mobilizations and solidarity actions with the struggling Palestinian people and the peoples of the region, who are victims of Israeli aggression.
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Norman Mampane (Shopsteward Editor)
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 Direct line: 010 219-1348