Taking COSATU Today Forward, 14 May 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY Inaugural Elijah Barayi Memorial Lecture is taking place tomorrow at UJ Campus in Soweto #Back2Basics #ElijahBarayiBrigades #VoteANC #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
14 May 2024
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU urges government to move with speed to ensure justice is done for the George tragedy
- South Africa
- POPCRU calls for the removal of Police College’s Head Lieutenant-General Bongiwe Zulu
- Media Alert: President Cyril Ramaphosa to address Elijah Barayi Lecture, UJ 15 May 2024
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Development cooperation and the push for privatization of education in Latin America: A view from the front lines
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU urges government to move with speed to ensure justice is done for the George tragedy
Malvern de Bruyn, COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, 13 May 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges government to move with speed to ensure justice is done for the George tragedy’s victims, survivors and their families. We offer our heartfelt sympathies and best wishes for the workers and the families affected by this devastating incident and loss of life.
The Federation applauds the tireless efforts by rescue, disaster management and law enforcement officials to save those still trapped. Every resource must be mobilised to ensure all remaining survivors are freed.
Whilst these rescue operations continue, the Unemployment and Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Insurance Funds must ensure the workers and their families receive the full relief they are entitled to. We are deeply concerned by reports indicating the employer involved blatantly ignored numerous labour laws including most likely failing to register these workers for the UI and Compensation Funds. If this is true, the Funds should compensate the affected workers and their families and claim the monies from the employer. Workers should not suffer further because of a delinquent employer.
Government, in particular the South African Police Service (SAPS), need to expedite their investigations. Whilst these may take time, the SAPS must arrest and haul before court the employer and anyone other person complicit in the wanton violation of our health and safety, construction and labour laws that led directly to this unprecedented tragedy.
We cannot accept a death toll of 26 lives and counting whilst the employer under who’s watch this occurred remains free to continue with his life as if nothing happened.
It is equally important that law enforcement investigate deeply worrying allegations of an unhealthy and possibly illegal relationship between the employer and members of the local leadership of the Democratic Alliance led George Municipality and whether this may have led to the failure to enforce numerous labour, health and safety, building and municipal laws at this construction site.
Justice needs to be seen to be done if we are to prevent a repeat of this calamity.
Issued by COSATU
POPCRU calls for the removal of Police College’s Head Lieutenant-General Bongiwe Zulu
Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU Media & Communication Officer, 12 May 2024
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) calls for the immediate removal of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Divisional Commander for Human Resources Development Lieutenant-General Bongiwe Zulu over a growing number of complaints regarding poor leadership and growing disarray within the country’s police colleges.
The union expresses deep concern over the leadership abilities of the Divisional Commissioner who was appointed to her role in 2018 and is responsible for oversight of SAPS colleges due to received serious allegations from members regarding her lack of management skills and disregard for staff, which are said to have created a toxic environment that is threatening the effectivity of the colleges as SAPS training grounds.
The working conditions and culture that has been created is unacceptable, plain and simple. Our members have reported that this commissioner’s management style is undermining morale and creating a hostile environment for both staff and trainees.
This not only impacts employees’ mental health, but is jeopardising the quality of training that candidates receive, threatening their safety and success as future SAPS members. This situation cannot be allowed to stand. We will not stand by while the foundation of our police service crumbles."
According to complaints received by POPCRU, several managers have filed grievances against Zulu, citing concerns about her management style. In response, Zulu initiated disciplinary proceedings against these managers, which included threats of suspension and disciplinary charges. This action has resulted in many of the managers taking sick leave.
Other allegations concern the commissioner's failure to address serious workplace issues. POPCRU has received numerous reports where complaints about sexual harassment or other forms of misconduct were ignored, creating an unsafe working environment.
In response, POPCRU is demanding immediate action from the National Commissioner, including that while the investigation into Zulu's conduct continues, she be removed from the division to ensure a fair and impartial process. This will eliminate any potential for intimidation from the head of the division.
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The safety and well-being of our police officers begins in our colleges. This failed leadership is a slap in the face to every South African who relies on a strong and professional police service, and we will not tolerate the continued mismanagement of our police colleges. As such, we strongly urge the National Commissioner to prioritise this issue and take decisive action to restore order and integrity to our training institutions. This will better ensure a well-trained and professional police service for the safety of all South Africans.
Issued by POPCRU
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Media Alert: President Cyril Ramaphosa to address Elijah Barayi Lecture, UJ 15 May 2024
Matthew Parks, COSATU Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, 13 May 2024
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the inaugural Elijah Barayi Lecture at 10h30 Wednesday 15 May 2024 at the Imbizo Hall, Soweto Campus, University of Johannesburg. Accreditation will be from 08h00.
This lecture serves as part of a national programme celebrating Workers’ Month and seeks to establish a tradition of hosting an Elijah Barayi Lecture annually.
The late Elijah Barayi was a former Deputy President of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the founding President of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). NUM and COSATU under his leadership played a critical role in the resistance to apartheid, the achievement of a constitutional democracy and the progressive labour laws protecting the rights of workers today.
President Barayi symbolised a generation of leaders who fought valiantly to improve the working and living conditions of conditions of millions. We welcome this progressive initiative by the Presidency and the Department of Employment and Labour to celebrate a South African working-class hero and to remind the nation of the need to continuously defend and enforce the hard won rights of workers.
We encourage members of the public to attend this important occasion honouring one of our gallant sons.
Please note that those wishing to attend should send their names, ID numbers as well as contact details and organisation (if any) to: Reen.M...@labour.gov.za to ensure admittance.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
Development cooperation and the push for privatization of education in Latin America: A view from the front lines
fighting the commercialisation of education standards and working conditions leading the profession democracy, 13 May 2024
The Director of the Education International Latin America (EILA) regional office, Combertty Rodríguez, offered a detailed analysis of the growing trend towards the privatization of education in Latin America, revealing the complexities and challenges facing education unionists and public education systems amidst political, economic, and social pressures. He was adamant that Development Cooperation (DC) work in the region can support efforts to remedy this.
Criticizing current education policies across Latin America, Rodríguez outlined on May 7th, during an online DC Café gathering DC partners, a troubling trend towards the privatization and marketization of education. This trend is fueled by a mix of political power balances, private sector influence, and international economic pressures, predominantly from neoliberal agendas that advocate for reduced state involvement in public sectors.
Political landscape
According to Rodríguez, governments across the region are increasingly diverting public funds to private enterprises, a strategy uncovered by research from the Latin American Observatory of Educational Policies (OLPE). This shift often comes at the expense of public education systems, which face significant defunding.
He highlighted a broader anti-democratic approach, where public-private partnerships (PPPs) and similar arrangements serve more to bolster private interests than to foster educational equity. These policies are further supported by right-wing movements, which Rodriguez notes have gained considerable control over legislative and executive branches in several countries, thereby legitimizing and accelerating the privatization process.
Social implications
Furthermore, Rodríguez drew attention to the social implications of these policies. The weakening of the trade union movement and social mobilization, particularly in education, poses a significant challenge to opposing these privatization trends. He noted that trade unions, often the sole defenders of public education, face increased persecution, including restrictions on their ability to organize and strike, especially when education systems are declared essential services.
The impact of these educational policies extends beyond the classroom. Rodríguez pointed to the rise in drug trafficking and associated violence, which affects school safety and student well-being, further complicating the landscape for public education advocacy.
Counteracting privatization
Despite these challenges, the EILA, under the leadership with Sonia Alesso, general secretary of the Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina (CTERA), actively working to counter these trends by strengthening the trade union movement and supporting initiatives like the Latin American Network of Women Workers in Education and engagement with indigenous communities to shape more inclusive public policies, he said.
Call to Action: EI Go Public! Fund Education campaign
Rodríguez called for a redoubling of efforts to prioritize public funding for public education, aligning with the global "Go Public! Fund Education" campaign. He emphasized the importance of drafting new educational proposals that involve teachers, parents, and students, aiming to reclaim education from privatization, as is the case in the framework of the Latin American Pedagogical Movement.
He also acknowledged the need to guarantee the continuity of trade unions, consequently the importance of trade union self-financing,
He further reminded DC partners about the EI DC map, calling on them to fill in the database showing the different projects being developed and the priorities partners.
The path forward, as outlined by Rodríguez, will require a concerted effort to ensure that public education does not become a casualty of economic and political interests but remains a foundational pillar for democratic societies in Latin America.
DC partners also presented their various programs in the region, a key example being the Schools as Territories of Peace built in Colombia.
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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