Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 4 July 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY Today, it’s #CosatuRedFridays #C189 #Equalpay #CosatuCallCentre Number is 010 002 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘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
4 July 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Minister Nomakhosazana Meth delivers 2025/26 Budget Vote for Employment and Labour
- South Africa
- SACP message of heartfelt condolences to the family of former Deputy President Comrade David Mabuza
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- India: Over 40 killed in factory explosion
- ILO launches knowledge platform to advance decent work in supply chains
- ILO 9th Regulating for Decent Work Conference
- UNI Africa charts course to Consolidate Working Class Power
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Minister Nomakhosazana Meth delivers 2025/26 Budget Vote for Employment and Labour
03 Jul 2025
Minister Nomakhosazana Meth on Budget as policy stance to deliver measurable outcomes
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth delivered her 2025/26 Budget Vote in which she spelled out initiatives to alleviate unemployment, policy interventions, deliver social protection and strengthen the institutional capacity.
Delivering her plan Meth said: “unemployment continues to grip our country. We meet amid the daily struggles of millions of South Africans, who rise each morning with hope, but without work. We confront the hard truth of unemployment and inequality, a generational challenge that threatens our democracy, economic stability, and social cohesion".
The Minister was today (3 July) delivering her Budget Vote in Parliament, Cape Town.
Meth said the Budget is aligned with the national priorities outlined in the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024–2029 under the Government of National Unity (GNU), particularly: driving inclusive economic growth and job creation, reducing poverty and addressing the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state that delivers quality public services.
She cautioned of immediate risks on uncertainty surrounding South Africa's continued participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a policy and commercial engagement that allows for eligible products from sub-Saharan African countries with duty free access to the US market.
She said amidst all these labour laws remain a central defence, ensuring decent work conditions, protecting vulnerable workers, and supporting business continuity amid uncertainty.
In advancing the Five-Year Strategic Plan and the 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan, Meth said the Department has set a target of facilitating 2 million jobs by 2030 through an integrated employment agenda.
Reflecting on policy, she said during the 2024/25 financial year, the Department promulgated three regulations (explosives, physical agents and noise exposure) to promote Occupational Health and Safety legislation, she said. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) has raised income levels for many low-wage workers, including domestic workers, farmworkers, women, and youth, Meth said.
The Minister elaborated that the Department is advancing the National Labour Migration Policy and the Employment Services Amendment Bill. These instruments she said have been finalised and approved by Cabinet in May 2025.
“This provides a legal framework to regulate the employment of foreign nationals and addresses misuse by labour brokers and the exploitation of undocumented workers," Meth said.
Minister Meth was worried about the continued slowness in transformation and structural inequality in the workplace which she said remains evident in employment equity data.
According to the Minister the recently published 24th Commission for Employment Equity Annual Report indicates:
62% of top management positions are occupied by white South Africans.
Women hold 26.9% of top management and 37.7% of senior management positions.
Persons with disabilities only make up 1.2% of the workforce.
Meth told members of Parliament that for the 2025/26 financial year, the Department of Employment and Labour has been allocated R4.153 billion, which will be distributed as follows:
R1.598 billion for Compensation of Employees - enabling core service delivery by funding inspectors, career counsellors, client services staff, and provincial managers.
R694.789 million for Goods and Services - covering critical operations, ICT tools, and stakeholder engagements that drive daily functionality.
R1.738 billion for Transfers and Subsidies - supporting key partnerships with the CCMA, Productivity SA, Nedlac, and civil society actors involved in employment activation.
R121.033 million for Capital Assets - financing digital infrastructure upgrades and modernisation of labour centres and satellite offices.
Minister Meth said major social protection interventions will be delivered through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Compensation Fund (CF).
In 2025/26, the UIF will manage R38.4 billion, with R19.02 billion for direct benefits. Over R10.98 billion is allocated to Labour Activation Programmes (LAPs), targeting 240,000 placements this year and 690,000 over the medium term, half of which are reserved for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. An additional R1.4 billion is allocated to the TERS scheme to protect jobs in distressed companies, while R55 million will fund the Business Turnaround Programme to assist 80 companies and save 3,750 jobs.
To boost efficiency, R1.13 billion is committed to digital transformation, including biometric verification and integrated claims systems. Seventeen mobile buses will be procured to extend UIF access to less serviced areas.
The Compensation Fund is allocated R1.6 billion (pensioners and injured workers), R5 billion for medical claims, and R1.85 billion for capacity building - supporting digitisation, medical staffing in provinces, and outreach to vulnerable workers.
In strengthening the institutional capacity, she said the department aim to reduce the vacancy rate to 12% by year-end. The focus is on posts critical to service delivery and addressing ICT infrastructure.
Enquiries:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
E-mail: teboho....@labour.gov.za
Issued by Department of Employment and Labour
SACP message of heartfelt condolences to the family of former Deputy President Comrade David Mabuza
Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 4 July 2025
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has received with profound sorrow the news of the demise of former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Comrade David Dabede Mabuza, who was also the former Deputy President of our alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC).
The SACP conveys its message of heartfelt condolences to his family for the loss. We also send our condolences to the ANC, the entire liberation movement and the people of South Africa.
Affectionately known as "DD" among his comrades, Comrade Mabuza has a long history of struggle for the emancipation of the people of South Africa, first against the apartheid system and, following our 1994 democratic breakthrough, made important contributions to the development of South Africa, primarily through the progressive movement. Hailing from a largely rural province, Mpumalanga, his working-class background and activism, first as a student and later as a school teacher, enabled him to play an active role in the unionisation of teachers in South Africa, defying the apartheid system in its relentless quest to divide and rule over the masses of our country through its racist policies. In this quest, he went on to serve as the Chairperson of the National Education Union of South Africa from 1986 to 1988. The union later merged with other unions such as the Progressive Teachers' Union, the Mamelodi Teachers' Union, the Progressive Teachers' League, the Western Cape Teachers' Union and the East London Teachers Union to form the South African Democratic Teachers Union, wherein he served as its chairperson, following this merger. As the leader of the ANC, Comrade Mabuza ascended through the ranks, ultimately becoming its Deputy President.
In memory of Comrade David Mabuza, the SACP calls for the unity of workers across union and federation affiliations towards building a true socialist movement for the workers and the poor. The SACP reiterates the call for unity of the progressive forces, in addition to working-class unity, in particular to take forward the work done by all our liberation stalwarts in championing the struggle for total liberation of the oppressed.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
International-Solidarity
India: Over 40 killed in factory explosion
4 July, 2025
On 30 June, a massive fire broke out at a pharmaceutical unit of Sigachi Industries in India, leaving more than 40 workers dead and injuring over 30 others. Many of the bodies were charred beyond recognition and DNA samples had to be collected to identify the victims. Media reports indicate that some workers are still missing as authorities continue to clear debris at the site. Approximately 143 workers were present in the factory when fire engulfed the building.
The plant has been closed for 90 days following the incident and a police complaint has been filed. A committee has also been formed to probe the causes that led to the fire. Recently, the company denied that there was a reactor explosion in the plant and stated that the cause of the fire may have been overheating. Sigachi Industries announced a compensation of US$ 11,6729 to the families of the deceased. Provincial government will also provide immediate monetary relief to the victims.
IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, Ashutosh Bhattacharya, said:
“Ensuring occupational health and safety is not a choice but a constitutional and international obligation for the Government of India. Ratifying ILO Conventions C-155 and C-187 will reaffirm India’s commitment to safe, fair, and dignified workplaces for all. The company must take full responsibility for the incident and any lapses that resulted in the blast must be disclosed.”
According to data compiled by IndustriALL, so far this year, over 60 workplace incidents have occurred in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector in the country, which have killed over 100 workers and left more than 170 injured. As workplace incidents are underreported, the actual figures would be much higher. Last year, over 110 workplace accidents occurred in the sector which killed at least 220 workers and seriously injured over 550.
Indian’s national trade union centre, Indian National Trade Union Congress, of which some of IndustriALL Indian affiliates are part, is demanding:
An independent, high level inquiry into the functioning of the factories department,
Suspension and criminal prosecution of any official found complicit in negligence, and
Revamping of inspection mechanism, including strict adherence to ILO Convention- 81.
Sigachi Industries is a prominent manufacturer of microcrystalline cellulose, which is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. The company has a global presence and more than half of its products are exported to over 50 countries.
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ILO launches knowledge platform to advance decent work in supply chains
3 July 2025
The AI-powered knowledge hub on supply chains is designed to inform evidence-based policy decisions, putting supply chains insights and research at your fingertips.
Geneva (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released an online platform designed to make its research on decent work in supply chains more accessible, actionable, and impactful. The Decent Work in Supply Chains Evidence Hub is a dynamic digital resource that supports evidence-based policymaking and drives forward the ILO’s mission of promoting fairer, more sustainable supply chains worldwide.
Drawing on more than 500 publications from the past decade, the hub transforms complex research into clear, usable insights for governments, employers, workers’ organizations and development practitioners. By surfacing key findings, identifying knowledge gaps, and offering practical tools, the hub empowers decision-makers to turn research into tangible impact.
At the core of the hub is an innovative use of generative AI, carefully guided by human expertise. This approach ensures content remains accurate, relevant and easy to understand. From plain-language summaries to interactive visualizations and thematic overviews, the hub offers a user-friendly interface making it easier to understand supply chains, trade and investment through the lens of decent work.
“The ILO has built a strong evidence base on decent work, trade, and investment over the past ten years,” said Dan Rees, Director of the ILO Priority Action Programme on Decent Work in Supply Chains. “Now, with the Evidence Hub, we have a smarter, more strategic way to share that knowledge—and to help shape supply chains that work for everyone.”
The Evidence Hub was co-developed with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) and reflects the ILO’s ongoing commitment to closing knowledge gaps and promoting informed action. Key features include the Evidence Map - which highlights areas where evidence is robust and where more data and research are needed - and short, accessible summaries of ILO research and evidence on specific intersections.
The hub aligns with the ILO’s supply chains strategy, which calls for better knowledge organization to inform policy and practical interventions. Whether shaping policy, designing programmes, or identifying future research needs, the Evidence Hub is the go-to source.
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ILO 9th Regulating for Decent Work Conference
3 July 2025
Strengthening labour institutions and worker voice to deliver decent employment
The global labour market is facing a period of unprecedented transformation that is driven by technological innovation, environmental shifts, and demographic changes. While we celebrate the potential of technological advancements to boost productivity and connect workers across borders, these changes also raise profound challenges to achieving decent work for all. The changing nature of work demands a rethinking of labour market institutions and regulations.
Despite a growing call for more effective policies that can deliver “decent employment now,” policies based on standard growth and development models have not responded adequately, particularly in the context of recent global crises. The lack of robust worker representation and the failure of existing structures to effectively translate aspirations for decent work into reality add to these complexities.
The 9th Regulating for Decent Work (RDW) Conference brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore these multifaceted issues and propose innovative solutions, engaging with critical themes like the pursuit of "decent employment now," the strengthening of worker agency, and the development of robust labour institutions.
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UNI Africa charts course to Consolidate Working Class Power
2 July 2025
The 6th UNI Africa Regional Conference concluded today with a renewed call to “Consolidate Working Class Power,” as union leaders from more than 50 UNI Global Union affiliates across Africa came together to elect new leadership and shape the movement’s strategy for the next four years.
Held during UNI Global Union’s 25th anniversary year, the conference brought together 230 participants from 22 countries to confront the urgent challenges facing workers – rising inequality, gender discrimination, technological disruption and crushing debt – while reaffirming organizing and collective bargaining as the path forward.
A movement with roots and vision
In his opening address, Amos Matsinhe, General Secretary of Mozambique’s SINECOSSE union credited UNI’s 40-for-40 campaign with helping women reach leadership positions, noting that his own union now has gender parity. He also praised UNI’s commitment to youth inclusion.
Reflecting on the past 25 years, UNI General Secretary Christy Hoffman said: “Our sectors have become the lifeblood of our organization. Our regions have become stronger and centres for ideas. Technology has enabled to work more closely today.
“We’ve shown our ability to transform along with the challenges of the but there are still challenges knocking on our door. Our legacy industries are changing – as they change, we must change. Building unions in new areas remains difficult but we have to keep at it.”
Stronger unions, deeper solidarity
Keith Jacobs, UNI Africa Regional Secretary, highlighted major achievements over the past four years, including organizing breakthroughs in Kenya’s security sector and Ghana’s healthcare sector, new affiliations in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Tunisia, and the development of a 36-country DHL alliance. He also emphasized UNI Africa’s focus on gender equality, including campaigns for ILO Convention 190, mentoring programmes and incorporating parental rights into collective agreements.
A call to action
Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC Africa, called for action, not lamentation. “The struggles in Africa are rooted in class, gender and race…Our decolonization struggle is not over,” he said. He stressed that building working class power in Africa depends on organizing, and outlined the ITUC’s campaign for debt justice in order to achieve equality and social protections for all.
The conference also heard from representatives of UNI affiliates, Handels (Sweden), PAM (Finland) and Unionen (Sweden) as well as solidarity organizations SASK (Finland) and the International Federation of Workers Education Associations. They have been strong supporters of union building and gender equality projects across UNI sectors.
PAM’s Mari Taivainen warned how quickly progress can be reversed, citing the erosion of union rights under Finland’s right-wing government, and Simião Simbine, Regional Representative of SASK, emphasized that solidarity is only natural because, “We are part of the same global movement.”
UNI Deputy General Secretary Alke Boessiger presented UNI’s Human Rights Due Diligence Competence Centre, aimed at helping unions use new legal tools to hold corporations accountable and support organizing across global supply chains.
Facing the future
A major theme was the transformative impact of artificial intelligence. Molly Kinder, a Brookings Metro Fellow, warned that Big Tech is trying to create Gen AI that wants to match all human cognitive ability and that it is imperative that we accept this is happening:
“We need to take seriously that disruption is coming. We cannot be ostriches with our heads in the sand. I’m more worried about our lack of vision and responsiveness than I am about the tech itself. It’s big, it’s transformative, but it’s not all bad. There will be new jobs. Let’s make them union jobs. Trade unions must be at the table.”
Coming just a week after the launch of global health and safety standards by UNI’s Global Trade Union Alliance of Content Moderators, Asma Ghanmi (FGNTS UGTT, Tunisia) explained the extensive list of psychological and physical impacts of moderating harmful content, including anxiety, depression and even suicidality – emphasizing the need for tech companies to ensure the safety of the workers in their supply chain.
Women and youth
The following day, the conference began with reports from youth and women. Newly elected UNI Africa Youth President Crisnelda Nhamucale (SINECOSSE, Mozambique) highlighted mentorship, climate justice, youth employment and representation as key themes from the youth conference, presenting a five-point action plan.
UNI Africa Women’s President Pauline Sawadogo (SYNATEL, Burkina Faso) outlined goals from the women’s conference, including mainstreaming gender equality, advancing women’s health, enforcing the 40 per cent representation rule, promoting ILO C190 and expanding the Mentoring Program to support more women leaders.
Participants at the conference also showed their strong solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The conference adopted four motions that will guide UNI Africa’s actions over the next four years.
Continue to build Collective Bargaining Power through organizing
Towards a just transition in the era of Artificial Intelligence
Towards Gender Equality and the Inclusion of Young Workers
Towards UNI Africa’s response to the debt crisis in Africa
The conference ended with the election of new leadership. Affiliates voted for a new UNI Africa Executive Committee, for the period 2025 to 2029, while Oyinkan Olasanoye (ASSBIFI, Nigeria) was unanimously elected President of UNI Africa. She pledged to work tirelessly to work with the affiliates to fulfil UNI’s action plan.
Keith Jacobs was enthusiastically re-elected as Regional Secretary, and began his acceptance speech calling for peace:
“We live in a troubled world. We experience several conflicts in our continent, including a devastating war in Sudan. Globally we saw an increase of wars…and an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East that is bringing the region to the brink of an all-out regional war,” said Jacobs, adding: “We want to see an end to all these wars and conflicts.”
Wrapping up two days of discussion, strategy and solidarity, Keith Jacobs concluded: “This conference sets a clear path going ahead…Working together with our affiliates, we will consolidate working class power to ensure a better deal for workers and their families.”
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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