Taking COSATU Today Forward, 17 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
Our side of the story
17 March 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU will present its submission on the Budget's Division of Revenue and Special Appropriation Bills 17 March 2026
- South Africa
- COSATU Gauteng Post-Provincial Executive Committee Statement
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- International Women’s Day 2026: When women access justice, democracy wins
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU will present its submission on the Budget's Division of Revenue and Special Appropriation Bills 17 March 2026
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 16 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will present its submission on the Division of Revenue Bill (2026/27 Budget allocations to provincial and local government) and Special Appropriation Bill (2025/26 Budget supplementary allocations to departments and state-owned enterprises) to Parliament’s Standing Committee: Appropriations from 1600 Tuesday 17 March 2026 (virtual platform).
Issued by COSATU
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
COSATU Gauteng Post-Provincial Executive Committee Statement
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 16 March 2026
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng convened its first Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting of 2026 from 12 to 13 March, to receive and deliberate on reports covering the period from December 2025 to February 2026.
The PEC discussed, among other matters, organisational, international, socio-economic and political reports. In its general assessment, the PEC concluded that it met in a highly polluted political environment, compounded by a volatile and troubling geopolitical climate driven largely by the actions of the United States of America and Israel.
Organisationally, the PEC resolved to accelerate the implementation of COSATU campaigns, intensify the recruitment of new members, mobilise workers for the 2026 May Day celebrations to be held in Ekurhuleni, and rebuild solidarity among COSATU affiliates. The PEC concluded that all affiliates must immediately begin mobilisation for the 2026 May Day through general members’ meetings, affiliates’ shop stewards’ councils and community engagements.
Internationally, the PEC resolved that South Africa should begin exploring alternatives to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by strengthening relations with progressive countries that respect South Africa’s sovereignty. While acknowledging that jobs have been created through AGOA, the PEC concluded that South Africa cannot continue to seek international legitimacy from the United States at the expense of its sovereignty. The PEC further noted with concern the continued suffering of the people of eSwatini under the Tinkhundla system that primarily benefits the royal family, the ongoing oppression of Western Sahara, the continued economic embargo against Cuba, the continued bombing of Gaza, the kidnapping of the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and the escalating war against Iran that has created instability in the Middle East and will inevitably affect the economies of developing countries. The PEC therefore resolved to intensify solidarity campaigns with the peoples of Cuba, Palestine, Iran, Western Sahara and eSwatini.
The PEC further noted the deepening socio-economic hardship faced by the working class in the province, including rising unemployment, growing inequality and persistent poverty. It also raised concerns about infrastructure challenges in public health and education, the recent fatal scholar transport accidents, the slow pace in building schools in working-class communities, and the lack of sufficient activism by communities, trade unions and political formations around job creation. The PEC further expressed concern about issues relating to migration and immigration, the growth of informal settlements in corridors of development, and the safety of communities. These challenges require urgent and coordinated intervention by government, communities, business and organised labour. In response, the PEC resolved to convene the long-outstanding Provincial Socio-Economic Conference to bring together stakeholders committed to addressing the socio-economic conditions of the working class.
The PEC also received a comprehensive analysis of the State of the Province Address delivered by Premier Panyaza Lesufi. In its conclusion, the PEC resolved that the commitments contained in the G13+2 programme respond to the current service delivery needs of the people of Gauteng and, if effectively implemented, could significantly advance the fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality. The PEC further resolved to monitor the implementation of the SOPA commitments on a quarterly basis and to engage all Gauteng government departments with the aim of strengthening planning, implementation and accountability. Central to this process will be the collaboration between trade unions, workers and the Gauteng Provincial Government, support for change management within government, and the convening of the Provincial Labour Forum.
Politically, the PEC noted the evolving political environment in the province, particularly in relation to the convened ANC regional and provincial conferences. The PEC also acknowledged the important role played by SANCO in championing community and service delivery struggles, as well as the vanguard role of the SACP in defending the unity and strategic direction of the Alliance. The PEC reaffirmed that the unity of the Alliance remains sacrosanct and resolved that COSATU must actively work towards strengthening the unity of the ANC ahead of its Provincial Conference.
The PEC further resolved to convene urgent bilateral engagements with SANCO and the SACP, advocate for the convening of the Alliance Political Council, and push for the long-outstanding Alliance Summit.
Issued
by:
COSATU Gauteng
International-Solidarity
International Women’s Day 2026: When women access justice, democracy wins
6 March 2026
International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026 comes at a time of a growing global backlash against gender equality, human rights and democratic labour rights, and increasing discrimination, racism and violence against women.
In this context, access to justice for women is a cornerstone for advancing democracy and peace, and a concrete driver of social justice.
Despite international commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals, women continue to face systemic barriers to justice:
§ Discriminatory laws.
§ Under-resourced institutions.
§ Shrinking civic space.
§ Structurally unequal access to decision-making processes.
The 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) will discuss access to justice for women and girls. It is critical to ensure that the final agreed conclusions support workers’ demands for governments to:
§ Guarantee access to justice for all women and girls as a pillar of democracy and peace. This requires gender-responsive and adequately financed justice systems and protected democratic institutions, legal and policy measures that address multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against women, and effective remedies for survivors of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
§ Enforce women’s labour rights through effective access to justice. This must include ratifying and implementing international labour standards, including those on freedom of association and collective bargaining; ensuring gender-responsive labour dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms with investment in dedicated legal aid for women; and promoting women’s legal literacy and equitable participation in decision-making processes.
§ Deliver economic justice through decent work, by adopting legal and policy reforms that promote equal opportunities for women to access full and productive employment, social protection, safe and healthy working conditions, and the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. There must also be investment in quality public services and comprehensive care systems, with policies to close the gender pay gap and regulate digitalisation and platform work.
Trade unions play a pivotal role in ensuring women’s access to justice and advancing gender equality both in the workplace and beyond. We remain committed to leading change and making justice for women a reality worldwide.
In this effort, the courage of women leaders such as Chow Hang-tung – vice-chair of the Hong Kong Alliance, currently on trial for exercising her rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly – inspires us and strengthens our resolve to defend democratic values and human rights.
Join our call to release Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan and all trade unionists and activists imprisoned for exercising their rights. Sign the petition and spread the word. Find materials for social media here.
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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