Taking COSATU Today Forward, 18 February 2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu affiliates in the public service mobilizing workers for the 24th Feb pickets and 26th Feb National Day of Action against #GEMS’s unaffordable member’s contribution increase…. #ClassSolidarity #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #CosatuCallCentre 010 002 2590 #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 February 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
- NUM demands Urgent Action as five workers remain trapped after mudslide at Ekapa Mine in Kimberley
- COSATU North west disturbed by reports on Madibeng Local Municipality and calls for decisive action
- Department of Employment and Labour Welcomes the President’s SONA Focus on Jobs, Enforcement and Inclusive Economic Growth
- Minister Patricia de Lille on tourism driving economic growth and job creation
- South Africa
- COSATU Gauteng concerned about illegal mining in Gugulethu, Springs
- Gauteng Provincial Legislature welcomes SANDF deployment as turning point for Gauteng
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Wages and social security: Key demands of Indonesian affiliates
- Vanuatu: Teacher Union Embraces Global Call to Go Public and Fund Education
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU initiative prioritises pupils in flood- and GBV-ravaged communities
Zanele Sabela, COSATU Spokesperson, 18 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set to do its bit part in restoring dignity to pupils in flood-and GBV-ravaged communities in three provinces.
Following its second successful annual Charity Golf Challenge in December, COSATU will head to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape this coming Saturday, 21 February, to donate school shoes and dignity bags to learners.
Starting in 2024, COSATU has hosted a Charity Golf Challenge bringing together COSATU leaders, government officials and business partners on the golf course to help raise funds for its activities, school shoes and dignity bags for underprivileged learners.
Every swing contributed to changing a child’s school experience and enhancing their confidence and wellbeing.
In the true spirit of Ubuntu, President Cyril Ramaphosa supported the cause and joined in the merriment on both years.
The communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga were selected for donations following the devasting floods they suffered early this year, while the Eastern Cape community was chosen due to the scourge of gender-based violence that has pervaded it. Educators, pupils and parents have been invited to handover events across the three provinces as follows:
Province: Limpopo
Venue: Masiza High School Sports Grounds, Mbaula, Giyani
Recipients from: Nyiko Primary School and Masiza High School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
Province: Eastern Cape
Venue: Jumba Senior Secondary School Hall, Mqhekezweni, Mthatha
Recipients from: Jumba Senior Secondary School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
Province: Mpumalanga
Venue: Sidlemu Primary School Hall, Nkomazi
Recipients from: Silindokuhle Special School and Mphoti Primary School
Date: 21 February 2026
Starting Time: 11am
COSATU President, Zingiswa Losi, has been spearheading this flagship initiative and will be at the Limpopo handover along with General Secretary, Solly Phetoe. The Federation’s 2nd Deputy President, Duncan Luvuno, and Deputy General Secretary, Gerald Twala are headed to the Eastern Cape. While 1st Deputy President, Mike Shingange, and National Treasurer, Freda Oosthuysen, will be in Mpumalanga.
In preparation for the handover, COSATU has received lists from schools detailing the correct shoe size and gender of each recipient to avoid any mishaps. Each child will also receive a COSATU branded school bag with hygiene products including a washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, roll-on, lotion and sanitary pads for girls.
The Federation is sincerely grateful to its partners and stakeholders, including the golfers, for their continued support of this vital initiative.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
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NUM demands Urgent Action as five workers remain trapped after mudslide at Ekapa Mine in Kimberley
Mosepedi Sanane, NUM Kimberley Regional Secretary, 17 February 2026
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is deeply distressed following a catastrophic mudslide that has left five mineworkers trapped since the early hours of Tuesday morning at Ekapa Mine in Kimberley.
A massive search and rescue operation is currently underway. The NUM's immediate priority is the safe return of these mineworkers to their families.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families and colleagues of the trapped workers during this incredibly difficult time,” said Mosepedi Sanane, NUM Kimberly Regional Secretary. “We are holding onto hope that they will be found alive and brought to safety.”
While rescue efforts take precedence, the NUM calls on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and all relevant stakeholders to launch a comprehensive investigation. We demand a transparent process to establish the exact cause of this disaster and to determine if there were any lapses in safety protocols.
The NUM will not rest until the truth is uncovered and the safety of all mineworkers is guaranteed.
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COSATU North west disturbed by reports on Madibeng Local Municipality and calls for decisive action
Kabelo Kgoro, COSATU North-West Provincial Secretary, 17 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North West is deeply disturbed by media reports that multiple service providers were appointed for the same job at the Madibeng Local Municipality.
This happens at the expense of electricity and water provision to our communities at a time when the focus is supposed to be on fixing local government.
We note all the allegations in the media against the municipality, particularly those against the sitting Mayor, Cllr Douglas Maimane.
We respect the fact that there is protocol that must be followed in the municipality but in the same breath we are of the view that such protocol cannot be used to stall the inevitable. If the Mayor wants to state his side after the council sitting, then let him engage the Speaker of the Municipality to convene a special council meeting which will deal with the allegations in the media space as these serve to tarnish the name of the municipality and of the organisation that deployed him to the municipality.
We cannot sit back and watch as individual actions paralyse and financially collapse our municipalities which are institutions that are meant to provide basic services to our communities including electricity and water. Municipal workers in general and SAMWU members in particular bear the brunt of immoral and inhumane activities by self-centred individuals who have no regard for ethical and moral leadership.
These allegations surface while municipal workers do not have the necessary essential tools of trade, and the municipality is confronted with operational and employee welfare challenges which have led to a low morale among the workforce.
As we fix local government, we call on the African National Congress in the province to leave no stone unturned and ensure that the necessary organisational and legal processes unfold in that municipality.
As COSATU we will work with and support our affiliate, the South African Municipal Workers’ Union on ensuring that workers do not become the victims of processes that are alleged to have benefitted certain individuals.
We will keenly monitor developments in the Madibeng municipality to ensure that indeed local government is being fixed.
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Department of Employment and Labour Welcomes the President’s SONA Focus on Jobs, Enforcement and Inclusive Economic Growth
13 February 2026
The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth along with the Deputies, Jomo Sibiya and Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala have welcome the President's State of the Nation Address (SONA), describing it as a pointed, honest and solutions‑oriented reflection on the challenges confronting South Africa, particularly those related to unemployment, enforcement of labour laws and sustainable economic growth.
The Department notes with appreciation that the President directly addressed issues that fall at the core of its mandate, while also outlining high‑level interventions that provide a clear and practical roadmap for implementation across government.
"The President's address was frank and focused on the real challenges facing our country. Importantly, it did not stop at identifying problems but went further to outline workable solutions. As the Department of Employment and Labour, we are encouraged that many of the issues raised speak directly to our work," Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said.
Strengthening Enforcement Through Expanded Inspectorate
The Minister expressed deep appreciation for the President's recognition of the work undertaken by the Department in the inspection and enforcement space. “Of particular significance is the announcement of an additional 10 000 labour inspectors, a development the Department describes as a major milestone."
“This is a major boost to our enforcement arm. The addition of 10 000 inspectors will significantly strengthen our capacity to enforce compliance with labour legislation, protect vulnerable workers and ensure fair labour practices across all sectors of the economy," said Minister Meth.
Meth added that increased inspection capacity will enhance the department's ability to respond decisively to non‑compliance, unlawful employment practices and exploitation of workers, while supporting a more stable and fair labour market.
Unemployment and Youth Employment at the Centre
The Minster reaffirmed that unemployment, particularly 'youth unemployment', remains central to the Department's mandate. She said in line with the President's remarks, the Department is strengthening its coordination role, working closely with the Presidency and other stakeholders to implement programmes aimed at stimulating and reinforcing youth employment.
According to Meth, the interventions include:
- Incentivising companies that prioritise youth employment, including through targeted tax rebate mechanisms;
- Strengthening and maintaining employment platforms that assist unemployed young people to access job opportunities;
- Refining policy instruments to ensure that employment opportunities increasingly prioritise South Africans.
Minister Meth said the Department is fine‑tuning its policy tools to ensure that South Africans are placed first in employment opportunities, while still ensuring compliance with the law and international obligations.
Regulation of Foreign National Employment
On Regulation of Foreign National Employment, Minister Meth said the Department strongly supported the President's emphasis on the need to intensify efforts to manage the influx of undocumented economic migrants, noting that this matter is already central to its ongoing work.
She said the Department continues to work collaboratively with sister departments, including the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service (SAPS), to address undocumented employment and related challenges.
Meth highlighted that the Department is at an advanced stage of finalising the National Employment Policy and the framework on the regulation of immigration. These instruments, she said, will empower her to:
- Prescribe employment quotas for foreign nationals in specific sectors;
- Ring‑fence certain sectors wholly or partially for the employment of South Africans.
She said that in addition, amendments to the Employment Services Act have been introduced to strengthen the regulation of employment matters, including the employment of foreign nationals.
Agricultural Sector as Key Focus Area
Minister Meth welcomes the President's recognition of the agricultural sector as a critical contributor to the economy, food security and exports, including South Africa's position as the second‑largest exporter of citrus fruits globally.
“Given the sector's reliance on vulnerable workers and its economic importance, the Department has classified agriculture as a high‑risk sector from an enforcement perspective," Minister Meth said.
She said the Department has intensified all pillars of its intervention in the agricultural sector being advocacy, inspections and enforcement. Minister Meth said the Department will continue to work closely with employers and organised formations such as Agri SA to strengthen compliance and protect workers.
Economic Growth and Job Creation
Noting the President's reference to signs of economic recovery and “green shoots" of growth, Minister Meth, said this must translate into jobs. “A growing and inclusive economy is key to addressing poverty, inequality and unemployment," Meth said.
Minister Meth appreciates the implementation of the decision to increase employment equity targets of persons with disabilities in the public service to 7 percent by 2030, and to mandate a 7 percent preferential procurement target across all government and public entities. She said this will assist in making sure that the Supported Employment Enterprises are capacitated to their full potential.
According to Acting Director General, Jacky Moilisane, the government continues to realise employment growth through: Public private partnerships, Youth focused initiatives, and support for small business and informal economy inclusion.
Minister Nomakhosazana Meth called on all South Africans to rally behind the vision outlined in the State of the Nation Address, noting that its successful implementation requires collective effort across government, business, labour and civil society.
For media enquiries, 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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Minister Patricia de Lille on tourism driving economic growth and job creation
15 Feb 2026
The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks in the 2026 State of the Nation Address that tourism is a vital driver of economic growth and job creation.
“Tourism continues to play a central role in strengthening South Africa’s economy and supporting livelihoods across the country. With the 10.5 million visitors recorded last year, the sector is delivering real and measurable impact for communities, sustaining jobs and creating opportunities for small businesses and tourism enterprises in every province,” said Minister de Lille.
The Minister further echoed the President’s emphasis on promoting South Africa’s unique cultural, historical and natural attractions, noting that this reinforces the importance of building a tourism offering that reflects the country’s identity and spreads opportunity across both urban and rural areas.
“As we diversify our tourism offerings, the hidden gems in townships, rural areas as well the small dorpies are vital to that strategy. From local festivals and crafts to heritage sites and natural landscapes, tourism remains one of the most powerful platforms through which South Africa can showcase its richness to the world, while ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach communities in all parts of our country,” Minister de Lille added.
Tourism is part of the five sectors included in the Government of National Unity’s Growth and Inclusion Strategy (GAINS). The strategy aims to accelerate economic growth, in line with the three priorities of the GNU:
Inclusive Economic Growth and Job Creation
Poverty Alleviation and Cost of Living
Capable and Ethical State
Minister de Lille also welcomed the President’s commitment that the Department of Home Affairs will expand the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to all visa-required countries, enabling visa applications to be processed digitally within 24 hours.
“This is a significant step forward in strengthening access, improving the visitor experience, and enhancing South Africa’s competitiveness as a destination of choice in the global tourism market. The ETA on its full roll out will create between 80 000 to 100 000 jobs,” she said.
Tourism remains a powerful national asset and a key pillar of South Africa’s growth agenda. The Minister reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to continue working with communities and the private sector to build on this momentum through the implementation of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, which will drive demand, unlock further investment, and ensure that tourism continues to create shared prosperity for all South Africans in the year ahead.
Enquiries:
Spokesperson for the Minister of Tourism
Aldrin Sampear
Cell: 067 138 3487
E-mail: asam...@tourism.gov.za
Issued by Department of Tourism
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU Gauteng concerned about illegal mining in Gugulethu, Springs
Louisah Moepeng Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 17 February 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is seriously concerned about the ongoing illegal mining activities in Gugulethu, Springs, where residents have reportedly taken to digging for gold deposits on municipal land.
Authorities and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy have warned communities against engaging in these unlawful activities due to serious safety hazards and legal consequences.
While we recognise the desperate socio-economic conditions driving people to seek any means of survival, including the hope of finding gold, COSATU Gauteng unequivocally rejects illegal mining as a solution. Digging without proper authorisation, regulation, and safety measures exposes individuals, including children to grave danger, land instability, environmental damage, and potential loss of life.
These activities also take place outside the labour and safety frameworks meant to protect workers and surrounding communities.
COSATU Gauteng stands firmly for the rule of law, worker safety, and the dignity of labour. Government at all levels must urgently accelerate sustainable job creation initiatives and support properly regulated small-scale mining where legally permissible, so that vulnerable communities are not pushed into unsafe and unlawful activities.
Law enforcement interventions must prioritise public safety while recognising the socio-economic hardships that drive residents into such conditions. Heavy-handed responses without meaningful alternatives will not resolve the underlying crisis of unemployment and poverty.
We further call on municipal and provincial authorities to engage directly with affected communities in Gugulethu and across Gauteng to provide economic support, skills development, and employment opportunities.
Community education programmes are also essential to ensure residents understand the dangers and legal implications of illegal mining.
COSATU Gauteng reaffirms its solidarity with all working-class families striving for a dignified livelihood and calls for coordinated, humane, and sustainable interventions that address the root causes of illegal mining rather than merely responding to its symptoms.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
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Gauteng Provincial Legislature welcomes SANDF deployment as turning point for Gauteng
16 Feb 2026
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety welcomes the decisive announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to Gauteng and other affected parts of the country to combat illegal mining and the violent criminal activities of so-called zama zamas.
This firm intervention, announced during the State of the Nation Address delivered in Parliament last week, underscores the gravity of the crisis and the urgent necessity for a coordinated, robust response to dismantle highly organised criminal syndicates that have terrorised communities and undermined the rule of law.
For an extended period, the Committee has consistently raised concerns about the devastating impact of illegal mining in Gauteng.
During a recent unannounced oversight visit to the Bekkersdal Police Station, the Committee received deeply disturbing reports of zama zamas intimidating residents, perpetrating violent crimes and holding entire communities hostage through fear and lawlessness.
Equally alarming are reports that more than 600 families were allegedly forced to flee their homes in Randfontein as a result of escalating violence linked to illegal mining activities, with displaced residents compelled to seek refuge in community halls.
The Committee reiterates that illegal mining is not a minor or isolated offence. It is an entrenched, organised criminal enterprise that endangers lives, destroys infrastructure, destabilises communities and erodes public confidence in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
The Committee has consistently maintained that conventional policing measures alone are insufficient to address this threat. A more aggressive, integrated, multi-agency approach is required to decisively confront and eradicate this criminal menace.
In this regard, the deployment of the SANDF represents a critical and long-overdue intervention one that the Committee has repeatedly recommended.
The Committee is confident that this decisive action will significantly strengthen law-enforcement operations, restore safety and stability in affected areas as well as to send a clear and unequivocal message that criminality will not be tolerated in Gauteng.
The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety will closely monitor the implementation and impact of the SANDF deployment and remains committed to working with all spheres of government to ensure that Gauteng is decisively reclaimed from illegal mining and that communities are able to live free from fear, violence and intimidation.
Enquiries:
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety
Honourable Bandile Masuku
Spokesperson
Mr Thebe Khumalo
Cell: 072 266 1021
E-mail: TKhu...@gpl.gov.za
Issued by Gauteng Provincial Legislature
International-Solidarity
Wages and social security: Key demands of Indonesian affiliates
17 February, 2026
The Indonesian National Unity and Labour Law Reform was held on 9-10 February in Jakarta. The leadership came from 10 IndustriALL affiliates in Indonesia. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen unity among affiliates and coordination in preparing the Indonesian labour law reform. Iwan Kusmawan, chair of the Indonesia Council, stated that IndustriALL affiliates are now prepared for the new labour law discussion, as urged by the 2024 Constitutional Court's ruling on the Job Creation of Omnibus Law.
The Indonesian National Unity and Labour Law Reform was held on 9-10 February in Jakarta. The leadership came from 10 IndustriALL affiliates in Indonesia. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen unity among affiliates and coordination in preparing the Indonesian labour law reform. Iwan Kusmawan, chair of the Indonesia Council, stated that IndustriALL affiliates are now prepared for the new labour law discussion, as urged by the 2024 Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Job Creation of Omnibus Law.
The ruling said that employment provisions should be removed from the Job Creation law and asked for a new labour law, giving lawmakers up to two years to prepare it, with a deadline of 31 October 2026 to enact a new labour law in line with Constitutional Court requirements. Since November 2024, the Indonesian Parliament has included discussion of a new labour law on its list of national legislative priorities, signalling political recognition of the need to revise the current framework following the Omnibus Law and related Constitutional Court rulings.
As a follow-up to the 2025 affiliates meeting on Labour Law Reform, Indonesian affiliates call for the development and adoption of a new labour law that fully complies with international labour standards. The proposed law should provide comprehensive protection for workers, including improvements in wage policies, expansion and strengthening of social security coverage, enhanced occupational safety and health (OSH) protections and stronger safeguards for fundamental workers’ rights, including freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Indonesian affiliates demand the realization of decent wages, rather than merely minimum wages. This includes establishing a more robust and transparent wage-setting mechanism by strengthening the role and functions of Wage Councils at national, provincial,and sectoral levels. Affiliates also call for the full implementation of wage scales and structures at the company level to ensure fair wage progression, transparency and equal pay for work of equal value.
On social security, Indonesian affiliates call for expanded, more inclusive employment-based social security coverage. This includes stronger enforcement measures to ensure that employers register all workers in the national social security system. Affiliates also demand the development of social security protection schemes for workers affected by the energy transition and climate change, recognizing the growing risks of job displacement and livelihood loss. In addition, there is a call to strengthen maternity protection through improved maternity benefit schemes, including longer maternity leave. Indonesian affiliates further urge the government to ratify ILO Convention No. 102 on Social Security (Minimum Standards) as a key step toward strengthening the national social protection framework in line with international labour standards.
Kemal Özkan, assistant general secretary of IndustriALL Global Union said that it’s time for Indonesian affiliates to take concrete action on the proposed labour law reform. Wages and social security are the key demands in the fight for equality and workers’ rights.
Ramon Certeza, the regional secretary of IndustriALL SEAO, said that IndustriALL affiliates in Indonesia should strengthen their unity and unite around a common demand for the new labour law proposal.
Iwan Kusmawan, chair of the Indonesia Council, was very optimistic about the establishment of the task force and hoped that the IndustriALL affiliates would develop a collective demand for the proposed new labour law. Iwan said:
“We will work with the task force on wages and social security by March and work together with experts and other stakeholders on our proposed new labour law.”
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Vanuatu: Teacher Union Embraces Global Call to Go Public and Fund Education
16 February 2026
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 Fighting the commercialisation of education Standards and working conditions Leading the profession Go public! Fund educationpublished 16 February 2026updated 16 February 2026
Advocating for increased and sustained public investment in education to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes, the Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU) has launched the Education International (EI) Go Public! Fund Education campaign nationwide. It emphasized the need for the government to invest in teachers through fair remuneration, quality professional development, and supportive working conditions.
Through this initiative, VTU acknowledged the critical role of public education as a public good and urged the Government of Vanuatu to prioritise education financing to address teachers’ shortages, workload pressures and resource gaps, particularly in rural and remote schools.
Setting up the Education Services Commission
VTU also highlighted that their campaign aligns with Recommendation 5 of the United Nations on the Teaching Profession: “Governments should establish national commissions or other mechanisms, which should include relevant financial authorities, representatives of teachers’ organizations and other relevant stakeholders, to assess and tackle shortages of adequately trained teachers. Such commissions or mechanisms should address labour market analyses, recruitment, teacher migration, attrition and retention, compensation, status and rights, workload and wellbeing, equity (including the ratio of qualified teachers to students), equality and infrastructure.”
In her remarks, Neselinda Meta, Secretary General of the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) and EI Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinator, insisted that the Education Services Commission is essential for:
Strengthening governance and accountability in our teaching sector.
Ensuring fairness in recruitment, appointments, and promotions.
Protecting and improving teachers’ rights, welfare, and working conditions.
Reducing political interference and ensuring decisions are made with professionalism and integrity.
Supporting quality education for all children of Vanuatu.
“This reform is not just structural; It is foundational to the future of our nation,” she said. Addressing the teachers across Vanuatu, she also explained that “the Education Services Commission is about empowering you, protecting your rights, and ensuring your career is guided by merit, fairness, and transparency.”
Joining EI Go Public! Fund Education campaign
The launch in Vanuatu marked an important step in linking national education advocacy with global commitments to transform the teaching profession and strengthen public education systems.
With the presence of key leaders from the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) - a sub-branch of Education International's (EI) Asia-Pacific region - and other educational stakeholders, VTU officially launched the campaign on January 30th, 2026, on the Island of Santo.
Mrs. Meta stated that Go Public! is a global movement calling on governments worldwide to recognise that funding public education is urgent and must be a priority. “Across the world, public schools are under pressure from chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, and increasing inequality. EI’s call urges governments to shift their priorities - from cost cutting to nation building, and from temporary fixes to long term investments in teachers, students, and communities. This campaign reinforces a simple truth: quality public education is not a privilege; it is a human right that must be protected, strengthened, and properly funded.”
At the regional level, the Pacific stands at a critical moment, she also reported. “With the global teacher shortage becoming one of the most urgent crises of our time, Go Public! Fund Education led by Education International and the Council of Pacific Education provides a bold and strategic response. This multi-year programme strengthens the capacity of unions across Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, aligning with the UN recommendations and Sustainable Development Goals. It positions teachers not only as educators but as nation builders, climate leaders, and champions for justice, while reinforcing the need for resilient, inclusive, and well-resourced public schools.”
She added that this campaign resonates powerfully with Vanuatu’s own national realities. “When EI calls on governments to Go Public! Fund Education, it reflects the lived experiences of our teachers - overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, delayed appointments, and the ongoing struggle for fairness and respect. Our participation in the Pacific movement - including the 2025 regional gathering in Nadi - strengthens our advocacy and gives us international backing as we push for systemic reform, including the establishment of a fully functional Education Services Commission. Through this campaign, Vanuatu joins millions of teachers worldwide in affirming that every child deserves a qualified teacher - and every teacher deserves respect, support, and recognition.”
A Call for the Unity of Educational Stakeholders
The COPE General Secretary went on emphasizing that “progress requires unity. No single institution can drive education reform alone. We must stand together - VTU, COPE, MoET, TSC, the PM’s Office, school leaders, and communities. When we speak with one national voice, we can achieve lasting reform. Let today be a reminder that we share a common vision: A stronger, fairer, and more professional education system for Vanuatu.”
The COPE leader concluded: “Today’s launch marks the beginning of a new chapter in our nation’s educational journey - a chapter of hope, transformation, and empowerment. Let us move forward with determination. Let us support our teachers. Let us work together to make the Education Services Commission a reality.”
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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