Taking COSATU Today Forward, 16 March 2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU wishes #SAMWU 13th National Congress successful deliberations at Mbombela #Cosatu40 #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
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16 March 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- NEHAWU wishes SAMWU a successful 13th National Congress
- South Africa
- COSATU wishes SAMWU a successful Congress
- COSATU rejects proposals to liquidate the South African Post Office
- ETDP SETA: Education unions demand immediate action to halt alleged corruption, protect workers, and prevent further wasteful expenditure
- COSATU urges government to drastically ramp up efforts to tackle illicit goods and customs fraud
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- French court holds Yves Rocher accountable for workers’ rights violations in Türkiye
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
NEHAWU wishes SAMWU a successful 13th National Congress
Zola Saphetha, NEHAWU General Secretary, March 16, 2026
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] wishes its sister union, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union [SAMWU] a successful and united 13th National Congress taking place from the 17th – 19th of March 2026.
The congress is convened under the theme "Towards Four Decades and Beyond in Defence of Workers’ Interests", marking an important milestone as the union reflects on nearly forty years of militant struggle and its unwavering defence of municipal and water sector workers.
Since its formation, SAMWU has been a fighting and militant union in the forefront of championing and advancing the struggles of workers and the working-class. SAMWU has been able to protect and advance the interest of municipal workers by fighting for improved conditions of service, better wages, better working environment and defending collective bargaining and rights of workers. The union has advanced the struggle for economic, political and social justice for its members.
Indeed, this congress provides SAMWU with an opportunity to robustly and in-depth deliberate on how to strengthen the ability of SAMWU in continuing to be a fighting and campaigning militant union that places the interests of workers at the centre.
Furthermore, the congress provides an opportunity to map a concrete programme of action that will focus on fighting against neoliberalism, austerity measure, the vicious and relentless onslaught on collective bargaining and the eroding of workers’ rights by municipalities.
As NEHAWU, we wish SAMWU a successful 13th National Congress.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU wishes SAMWU a successful Congress
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 16 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) wishes its vigilant Affiliate, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), a productive and successful 13th National Congress, to be held from 17 to 19 March at Church Unlimited, Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Themed, “Towards Four Decades and Beyond in Defence of Workers’ Interests”, the Congress will reflect on almost forty years of militant struggle, organisational consolidation and steadfast defence of municipal and water sector workers.
The following speakers will address Congress on political, economic, and social challenges confronting workers and provide insights on how to defend and advance working-class interests:
- COSATU General Secretary, Solly Phetoe
-
ANC
Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula
SACP General Secretary, Solly Mapaila - Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour, Jomo Sibiya
- Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dickson Masemola
- SALGA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sithole Mbanga
The Congress takes place at a critical time as the country gears up for the local government elections later this year. SAMWU has consistently been at the forefront of raising the alarm on the collapse of municipal services and the deepening crisis in local government. The Congress will also explore how the union could respond decisively to this crisis.
SAMWU was critical in Treasury’s decision to withhold the equitable share allocation of municipalities who default on paying workers’ pension fund contributions to the relevant funds, prompting some to start complying.
With the support of its Federation, SAMWU went all the way to the Constitutional court to oppose the misguided attempt to ban all municipal workers from holding political office. This marked a major victory for workers and the union.
Delegates from all nine provinces are expected to attend the Congress, along with sister unions locally and internationally, and other stakeholders.
COSATU wishes SAMWU a successful and fruitful Congress and trusts it will emerge energised and ready to defend the hard-won rights of its members and push back on schemes to derail workers’ unity.
Issued by COSATU
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COSATU rejects proposals to liquidate the South African Post Office
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 15 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) rejects in the strongest possible terms ludicrous proposals to liquidate the South African Post Office (SAPO) by its supposed Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs).
It is beyond shameful that the very same BRPs who were appointed through a court agreement with the creditors and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in 2023, have nothing to show for their tenure beyond retrenching thousands of SAPO employees and plunging their families into absolute poverty and despair, closing hundreds of branches and thus further shrinking its customer base and potential to recover. Workers have reported the BRP’s abysmal failure to pay millions of Rands owed to workers, including medical and pension funds plus taxes.
It is clear that besides further crippling SAPO and pickpocketing its employees, the only thing the BRPs have to show for the past several years are the hefty fees they have helped themselves to from SAPO.
The Federation will never agree to the liquidation of SAPO. The only liquidation that must take place is that of the BRPs. It is time that the Department approached court to remove the BRPs and put in place competent administrators who have the capability and commitment to ensuring its stabilisation and setting it back upon the path to sustainability.
The turnaround of other embattled state-owned enterprises from Transnet to Metro Rail proves that they can be fixed and once again contribute to stimulating economic growth and creating jobs with competent management, the removal of criminal and corrupt elements, filling frontline vacancies and recruiting critical skills, and investing in the company’s infrastructure and capacity.
The SAPO and Postbank Amendment Acts passed by the 6th Parliament provide a turnaround path for both institutions, by allowing SAPO to enter the highly lucrative courier business and to become a one stop shop for citizens to access public services and enabling the Postbank to become a fully licensed state bank aimed at working class and rural residents all too often redlined by the private banking sector.
COSATU will be seeking urgent engagements with the Minister and Parliament’s Portfolio Committee for Communications and Digital Technologies to provide comfort to workers that their jobs will be secured, monies paid and that a turnaround plan will be put in place.
It is critical that Treasury provide the previously committed financial support to enable such a turnaround to be implemented.
Issued by COSATU
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ETDP SETA: Education unions demand immediate action to halt alleged corruption, protect workers, and prevent further wasteful expenditure
13 March 2026
The education unions, SADTU and NAPTOSA, issue this joint media release in the public interest. We do so to protect education and training workers, safeguard public funds, and restore credibility to the Education, Training and Development Practices SETA (ETDP SETA).
We note the Minister of Higher Education and Training’s written instruction to the ETDP SETA Accounting Authority to submit, through the Department, an urgent and comprehensive report on the Marshalltown lease matter. The Minister has requested details on the procurement process, the lease terms, building compliance and occupational health and safety, financial exposure, governance and accountability, and the remedial measures being implemented, within 48 hours.
Our unions state, unequivocally, that this ETDP SETA Board opposed this deal from day one. The Board’s decisions, as we understand them, were aimed at preventing further loss and risk, including: (i) not proceeding with the Marshalltown building arrangement due to serious concerns about habitability, regulatory compliance, and employee safety; (ii) instructing the Acting CEO/Administrator to secure and protect ETDP SETA assets, particularly computers and related equipment at the premises; and (iii) directing that no further payments be made, including the reported rental amount of R600,000 per month, pending a lawful resolution of the matter and to prevent further fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
It is alleged that, despite these Board decisions and the seriousness of the matter, the Acting CEO has acted in defiance of governance processes. It is further alleged that the CEO post was advertised, but that the Acting CEO subsequently amended the requirements.
It is also alleged that the Legal Compliance Officer was suspended by the Acting CEO for implementing Board decisions intended to protect public funds and advance compliance.
It is also alleged that the DHET representative on the Board has repeatedly supported the Acting CEO in a manner that undermines collective accountability and frustrates Board resolutions. The unions further note allegations that certain officials have sought to shift responsibility to political principals. The unions further note allegations that certain officials have sought to “throw ministers under the bus” for failures that are, in truth, rooted in internal administrative breakdowns. We record that the Minister was informed of these frustrations and obstacles on 18 December 2025.
As organised labour in education, we acknowledge that our public silence, for too long, allowed this rot to deepen. That period is over. The unions have taken a firm decision to stop alleged corruption, protect workers, and save the SETA, and, by extension, the integrity of the national skills development system.
Accordingly, the unions demand the following immediate actions:
Immediate implementation of all lawful Board resolutions relating to the Marshalltown lease and associated expenditure controls.
An immediate halt to any further payments connected to the Marshalltown premises, pending lawful termination, recovery steps, or other remedial action, to prevent further fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
A verified inventory and protection plan for all ETDP SETA assets, including IT equipment reportedly located at the premises.
An independent investigation into the procurement process, compliance documentation, payments made, and any irregularities, with clear consequence management in line with the PFMA and applicable law, including the continuation of the forensic investigation stopped by the Acting Ceo.
The precautionary suspension of the Acting CEO, with immediate effect, pending the outcome of investigations, given the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect evidence, systems and staff.
Noting that the Acting CEO is at the end of her tenure. Under no circumstances can this tenure be extended.
The immediate reinstatement of the Legal Compliance Officer, in line with the board decision and protection of whistle-blowers and compliance officials from retaliation.
A stabilisation plan for administration and leadership, including a transparent CEO recruitment process aligned to Board-approved requirements and good governance practice.
The appointment of the recommended Exco, which has been deliberately interfered with, leaving a governance void thus allowing the Acting Ceo freedom to continue her reign of administrative terror.
A joint engagement convened by DHET with the Accounting Authority and organised labour to receive a briefing on the Minister-requested report and to agree on firm timelines for remedial action.
We reiterate that the ETDP SETA must serve the public good. Worker safety cannot be compromised, and public funds cannot be sacrificed through management failure. The unions will pursue all lawful avenues, administrative, oversight and organisational to ensure accountability, protect staff, and prevent further decline.
***END OF STATEMENT ***
Issued by:
South African Democratic Teachers ’Union (SADTU)
National Professional Teachers ’Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA)
Media enquiries:
Ms Nomusa Cembi (Sadtu Spokesperson) 082 719 5157
Mr Basil L Manuel (Naptosa Exec Director 079 508-6228
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COSATU urges government to drastically ramp up efforts to tackle illicit goods and customs fraud
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 13 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges government to drastically ramp up efforts to tackle illicit goods and customs fraud.
The Federation welcomes the progressive commitments outlined in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Cyril Ramaphosa and proposals by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), for a Presidency-led national illicit economic disruption programme.
Illicit goods, from tobacco and alcohol to clothing and tyres amongst others, pose a dire threat to local jobs, businesses, value chains and communities plus the sin tax regime designed to minimise consumption of harmful products.
It is crucial that any programmes dealing with the illicit economy prioritise customs fraud, one of the key factors undermining job creation and industrialisation in South Africa, and one of the major reasons for the vast damage done in recent decades to the clothing, textiles, footwear, leather, furniture, tyres, and other jobs rich manufacturing sectors. The Terms of Reference of such an illicit economy disruption programme must include customs fraud and not narrowly focus on cigarettes and alcohol and miss the much deeper threat being posed to the entire manufacturing economy.
Customs fraud has been a long-standing crisis for South Africa’s trade system since the early 1990s with our return to the world economy, the rise of globalisation, and the growth of corruption and criminal syndicates. Illegal imports threaten local manufacturing and industrial development. They contribute to illicit financial flows and organised crime networks.
Weak enforcement at ports of entry allows large-scale customs fraud to continue.
The painful consequences of customs fraud are its driving of counterfeit goods markets, sweatshops and shocking labour rights violations, the growth of the illicit economy and a massive rise in organised crime networks. It undermines entire sectors of the economy, in particular clothing, textiles, footwear, leather, furniture, auto components and tyres, food products and sweets, tobacco, and gold.
Key forms of custom fraud include the smuggling of goods into the country, misdeclaration of imported goods, under-invoicing to reduce customs duties, importation of counterfeit and fake goods, and the abuse of rebate systems intended for legitimate businesses.
South Africa loses billions in revenue every year, according to Global Financial Integrity’s report, including $7.4 billion loss in revenue annually; namely annual revenue lost due to import fraud of $4.8 billion and revenue lost due to mis-invoiced exports of $2.6 billion.
These are funds needed to support public services, infrastructure, economic and social relief, and job creation.
Trade data shows evidence of under-invoicing. Large gaps exist between what exporting countries report sending to South Africa and what South Africa records as imports, e.g. China reported R18.5 billion worth of clothing exports to South Africa whilst South Africa recorded only R12 billion in imports. This gap shows billions in customs duties and taxes are being lost due to systematic under declaration of imports.
Key solutions proposed by COSATU include stronger enforcement, increased inspections and raids on suspicious consignments, deploying more scanners at ports of entry, ramped up prosecutions of major customs fraud syndicates, strengthening coordination between SARS, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Hawks, Judiciary and trade authorities including improved information systems, actively monitoring abnormal unit prices and trade mismatches accompanied by the necessary policy interventions, enforcing small parcel taxes, publishing consignment level trade data, and eliminating rebate abuse.
This is an existential crisis that we can no longer afford to kick down the road nor see any more jobs lost. There are millions of local workers, business, value chains and communities whose survival depend upon the Presidency with the support of SARS, SAPS, the Border Management Authority and other state organs to decisively and aggressively lead this fight. It is critical that this Presidency led drive include Business and Labour to ensure its success.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
French court holds Yves Rocher accountable for workers’ rights violations in Türkiye
Workers and IndustriALL representatives rally outside Yves Rocher's factory in Türkiye, demanding an end to union busting in 2018.
13 March, 2026
The Paris Judicial Court has delivered a landmark ruling finding that the Yves Rocher Group failed to comply with its obligations under France’s Duty of Vigilance Law in relation to labour rights violations at its Turkish subsidiary.
The case concerns the dismissal of more than 130 workers between 2018 and 2019 after they joined the Petrol-Is union to challenge poor working conditions, systematic discrimination against women and reports of sexist and sexual violence in the workplace.
The complaint was brought by ActionAid France, Sherpa, Petrol-Is and 81 former employees. After years of determined legal action, the court has now confirmed that the parent company failed to adequately identify and address risks to workers’ rights in its Turkish operations.
A historic step forward under the Duty of Vigilance Law
In its judgment, the court concluded that the Yves Rocher Group did not meet the requirements of the French Duty of Vigilance Law of 27 March 2017, which obliges large companies to identify and prevent human rights violations linked to their global operations.
The court found that the group should have identified the risk of serious labour rights violations within its Turkish subsidiary. By excluding the subsidiary from its vigilance plan and failing to take appropriate measures to prevent anti-union practices, the company did not fulfil its legal obligations.
Importantly, the ruling established that workers were dismissed in 2018 and 2019 in order to prevent the presence of a trade union and avoid collective bargaining. The court also found that the company had not properly assessed the risk of violations of trade union freedom in its 2017 and 2018 vigilance plans, despite having access to information indicating these risks.
This is the first time that a French company has been found liable under the Duty of Vigilance Law for human rights violations linked to its activities abroad. The decision sends a strong message that multinational companies must respect fundamental workers’ rights throughout their global operations.
Workers’ persistence leads to justice
The case is the result of years of persistence by the dismissed workers and their union. After being fired for organising, many workers continued their fight for justice, including through more than 300 days of protest outside the factory.
Their determination, supported by trade unions and civil society organisations, has now led to a historic court ruling confirming that the violations they faced were linked to anti-union practices.
Although most workers had previously signed a settlement agreement with the Turkish subsidiary in 2019, the court’s recognition of the company’s responsibility represents an important victory for those who brought the case.
Compensation and recognition
The court ordered the Yves Rocher Group to pay damages of €8,000 each to six former workers — Nimet Göksu, Nazim Sancak, Erdin Günaydın, Nejdet Mengübeti, Ersan Alasulu and Sedat Ordu — consisting of €5,000 (US$5,800) for moral damages and €3,000 (US$3,400) for economic damages.
The union Petrol-Is was awarded €40,000 (US$46,000) in damages, while Sherpa and ActionAid France received symbolic compensation of €1 (US$1) each.
In addition, the company must pay €1,000 (US$1,000) in legal costs to each of the six workers, as well as to Sherpa, ActionAid France and Petrol-Is.
The judgment is provisionally enforceable, meaning that it remains applicable even if an appeal is lodged.
A strong signal for corporate accountability
“The ruling represents an important milestone for corporate accountability. By confirming that multinational companies can be held responsible for labour rights violations linked to their operations abroad, the judgment strengthens the role of due diligence legislation as a tool to protect workers.
“For trade unions and workers, the decision shows that persistence can lead to results and that legal mechanisms such as the Duty of Vigilance Law can help ensure that companies respect fundamental rights throughout their global operations”
said Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s general secretary.
Said IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kemal Özkan:
“We salute the determination and solidarity of the Flormar workers and their years of steadfast struggle. This case demonstrates that worker resistance is essential to defending freedom of association. We welcome the French judiciary’s landmark verdict confirming that Yves Rocher violated fundamental workers’ rights. Using human rights due diligence through binding legislation is a central strategy for IndustriALL and an essential instrument for workers around the world.
“While the court has delivered justice for individual rights violations, union recognition and the right to collective bargaining are still not in place. We call on Yves Rocher to recognize Petrol-Is as the bargaining unit so that such serious abuses never happen again.”
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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