Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 2 June 2022
Norman Mampane
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#2022YearofWorkersParliament COSATU affiliates are preparing for a National Gender Conference scheduled for June 2022 #InternalDemocracy #WorkerControl #EndChildLabour #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
Thursday, 2 June 2022
‘Deepen
the Back to Basics Campaign, Consolidate the Struggle for the NDR and Advance the Struggle for Socialism’
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- SASBO, The Finance Union responds to “ghost accounts” allegations
- South Africa
- COSATU Limpopo wishes the ANC a successful 10th Provincial Conference
Ø President Cyril appoints Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council
Ø Employment and Labour on Activation Program in North West
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- WFTU statement on the new economic sanctions of EUWFTU STATEMENT: The WFTU is on the side of the workers and the peoples of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua
- Afghanistan: The Taliban regime must stop its attacks on the teaching profession
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
SASBO, The Finance Union responds to “ghost accounts” allegations
Modime Joe Kokela, SASBO General Secretary, 2 June 2022
Sasbo the Finance Union, representing more than 70 000 banking and finance employees, is acutely aware of the disciplinary hearings taking place in Standard Bank whereby our members are being charged with dishonesty related to the opening of MyMo accounts.
We will be launching our own internal investigation into each of these incidents where Sasbo members were involved.
We have also raised this directly with the bank’s Executives but we could not find common ground. We are specifically concerned that in some case we are suspicious that these actions were initiated by Standard Bank staff with the knowledge of their branch management because of the unreasonable targets that were placed on staff.
This behaviour came as a result of employees fearing to be dismissed for poor performance rather than manipulate the banks sales results.
We are also concerned that the bank were targeting potential clients who do not need to be employed and who do not need a monthly income, to open a MyMo account.
These accounts were opened legitimately, but because the clients were from poor communities they did not have the funds to activate the accounts.
The result was that employees used the bank’s own Beyond Excellence reward programme, and internal staff reward programme, to activate these accounts.
We are beginning to receive Arbitration dates from the CCMA where the Union will challenge these cases.
If members are dismissed for dishonesty in the finance sector, they are debarred as Fais representatives and will have great difficulty in obtaining alternative employment in the finance industry because they will be listed on what is called a Register of Employees Dismissed for Dishonesty, for a period of 5 years.
Yours Sincerely
SASBO General Secretary
South Africa
COSATU Limpopo wishes the ANC a successful 10th Provincial Conference
Gerald Mkhomazi Twala, COSATU Limpopo Provincial Secretary, 2 June 2022
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Limpopo wishes its alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC), a successful 10th Provincial Conference scheduled for the 3rd – 5th of June 2022 at The Ranch Hotel and Resort. The 10th ANC Limpopo Provincial Conference will be convened under the theme “Unite, Renew and Rebuild: Defend the ANC and the Democratic Gains”.
The conference comes at a time when the movement is faced with serious internal organisational difficulties and weakness that have the potential to reverse the gains of our national democratic revolution.
Despite these challenges, the people of our province still expect no less than a united movement, the provision of basic services such as water, proper roads, electricity, job opportunities and the consistent fight against corruption and wrongdoing in the province.
It is therefore incumbent upon the 10th ANC Limpopo Provincial Conference to rise to the occasion and reclaim the moral standing of our movement in society.
Undoubtedly, this can only be achieved by reaffirming and supporting the resolutions on the unity and renewal of the ANC, such as enforcing the step aside rule, whose purpose is to fight against corruption.
It is the hope and wish of COSATU that this Conference will live up to the expectations of the alliance partners and the people of our province. May the ANC emerge from the 10th Province Conference with a capable PEC leadership collective, stronger, united, and ready to rebuild, lead the alliance and the national democratic revolution towards the strategic objectives of building a non-racial, non-sexist, united, democratic and prosperous society.
Issued by COSATU Limpopo
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President Cyril appoints Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council
1 Jun 2022
President
Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a diverse and representative group of people with sector expertise to serve as members of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Advisory Council and to guide government on intensified transformation of the economy.
The President has appointed 14 Council members in terms of Section 6(1) (d) of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act No 53 of 2003). The appointments are for a period of five years.
The Council comprises:
1. Mr Kganki Matabane, Chief Executive Officer of the Black Business Council (BBC);
2. Ms Gloria Serobe, a veteran of black business;
3. Dr Nthabiseng Moleko, an academic and specialist on industrial development funding;
4. Ms Sibongile Sambo, who operates a company in the aviation services sector;
5. Mr Sibusiso Maphatiane, an industrialist who runs his own metal foundry business;
6. Mr Ajay Lalu, a chartered accountant and B-BBEE specialist;
7. Ms Louise Thipe, a senior leader in the labour movement;
8. Ms Makale Ngwenya, a trade unionist and researcher;
9. Mr Kashif Wicomb, who leads the Progressive Professionals Forum (PPF);
10. Dr Lulu Gwagwa, an academic, spatial development planner and businessperson;
11. Mr Thulani Tshefuta, who represents the community constituency and the youth movement at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC);
12. Mr James Hodge, Chief Economist of the Competition Commission;
13. Ms Khathu Lambani Makwela, a director of a company in the healthcare sector; and,
14. Ms Irene Dimakatso Morati, an internal auditor.
Provincial representation, sector expertise, gender and age are among the considerations that informed the composition of the Council.
In line with the legislation that applies to the Council, members are drawn from business, trade unions, community-based organisations and academia. They also have broad expertise in major sectors of the economy.
Eight of the 14 candidates are female.
President Ramaphosa thanks the new members of the Council for availing themselves to serve the country in this capacity and he wishes the Council the best in advancing black economic empowerment as part of the comprehensive transformation of the South African
economy.
Media enquiries:
Vincent Magwenya
Spokesperson to the President
Cell: 082 835 6315
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Employment and Labour on Activation Program in North West
1 Jun 2022
Two hundred youth to benefit from the Labour Activation Program (LAP) projects in the North West Province
Two hundred youth from different areas within the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West Province have been enrolled in different training projects within the Hospitality sector. These trainings are part of the Department of Employment and Labour’s Labour Activation Programme (LAP).
LAP is a programme within the Department and is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The purpose of the programme is to skill and up-skill the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries in order to gain access into the labour market, and to establish their own businesses.
With this project, leaners will be trained to become Assistant Chefs, Baristas, Fast Foods Cookers, Convenience Food Cooker and Table Attendant. These trainings are offered through theoretical training and practical work; and the curricular has among others, business studies and field specific disciplines.
According to the Deputy Director: LAP in the province, Jeffrey Zitha, it is envisaged that at the end of these projects, participants would be able to be integrated into the world of work and also be able to open their own businesses, thus reducing unemployment and also empowering those around them.
“The aim of these trainings is to ensure that youth and work seekers are equipped with the necessary skills that are needed to close the skills gap and to enable the unemployed youth and unemployed UIF beneficiaries to meet the requirements of the labour market,” Zitha said.
He said as much as they will assist in making sure that they are placed in work places at the end of the programme they encourage them to also look into starting their businesses.
“With the current economic meltdown, the Department seeks to encourage the youth and work seekers to look into other opportunities that can create employment for themselves and those around them,” he concluded.
The training initiatives commenced on Tuesday, the 31st May and are expected to run over a period of three months for Baristas, Fast Food and Convenient Food Cookers while the Chef Assistant and Table Attendant will run for 10 months. Upon completion, Baristas, Fast Food and Convenient Food cookers will receive NQF level 2 certificate while Chef Assistant and Table Attendant will receive NQF level 4 certificates from accredited service provider.
For
media enquiries contact:
Botsang Huma
Provincial Communications Officer: NW
Cell: 082 082 497 7438
E-mail: botsan...@labour.gov.za(link
sends e-mail)
Jeffrey
Zitha
Deputy Director: LAP North West
Cell: 072 851 8215
E-mail: Jeffre...@labour.gov.za(link
sends e-mail)
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
International-Solidarity
WFTU statement on the new economic sanctions of EU
31 May 2022
The decision of the EU leaders for a new package of financial sanctions, which includes the ban on import of oil from Russia into the EU, is far from being considered a move aimed at the shortest possible peace.
It is obvious that this tactic is resulted to quite the opposite. Such economic war decisions simply escalate tensions, reinforce militarism, and nurture nationalists and warmongers.
The consequences of these decisions are burdened in an unbearable way on the backs of the workers and the people who see their income being crushed by the relentless increase of inflation and prices. The big monopoly groups of the Western alliance are hoarding again at the expense of the workers, in a Cold War environment that is systematically consolidated and strengthened, with all the consequent dangers for world peace and security.
The effort to use the crisis and the war to expand and enlarge NATO, with all that entails for world peace and security, is obvious.The WFTU is strongly opposed to the policy of economic war and condemns the attempt to escalate the conflict through huge military aid packages.
The
WFTU demands the dissolution of NATO and all military alliances, the destruction of nuclear weapons, and the withdrawal of illegal sanctions and blockades which are systematically imposed on states that do not comply with US-NATO orders. Also, the WFTU demands
the international organizations to act for the de-escalation and for the encouraging and strengthening of diplomacy to bring peace and ceasefire as soon as possible.
The WFTU Headquarters
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Afghanistan: The Taliban regime must stop its attacks on the teaching profession
trade union rights are human rights democracy higher education and research, 1 June 2022
Education International condemns the abusive measures imposed by the Taliban government on universities and higher education institutions in Afghanistan. These measures are in clear violation of the principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, as enshrined in the 1997 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the status of higher education teaching personnel.
In what appears to be an attempt to purge the country’s education system from any independent voice, Afghan universities were recently asked to denounce the “corrupt, incompetent and destructive” teachers within their ranks. The letter from the authorities also commands higher education institutions to report any teacher or professor who had connection with previous governments.
Education International reaffirms the critical importance of academic freedom for fostering independent thinking and expression, strengthening democracy, and contributing to the common good of societies. The 2019 Education International Resolution on Academic Freedom in Higher Education states that “higher education teaching personnel and researchers should […] enjoy, without interference, internationally recognised civil, political, social and cultural rights applicable to all citizens”.
Education International calls on the Afghan authorities to respect the rights and freedoms of education professionals, including academic freedom.
In a resolution adopted last December, the Executive Board of Education International expressed grave concerns about the catastrophic situation of democracy and education in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over in August of 2021, and particularly regarding the safety of educators and equal access to education for girls. This new attack on education and academic freedom is a further confirmation that despite their initial promises, the current regime is no different from the Taliban rule in the 1990s.
Education International stands in full solidarity with its member organisations and the teaching community in Afghanistan.
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WFTU statement on the 110th ILC
27 May 2022
On the occasion of the start of the 110th ILC, the WFTU addresses a cordial greeting to all the worker’s representatives. Since its founding in 1945, the WFTU gives particular attention to its intervention within the ILO, treating the procedures of this organization as a field of struggle, since its decisions, in one way or another, affect the living and working conditions of workers.
The interventions of the WFTU promote over time the positions of the class-oriented trade union movement and at the same time expose the anti-labor policies and the phenomena of submission of this organization in interests contrary to the demands and expectations of the workers.
It is obvious that the ILO is increasingly subordinated to the anti-labor and anti-grassroots environment created by the harsh neoliberal policies imposed in recent decades by the dominant circles of global capitalism.
There is no doubt that its role and effectiveness have declined significantly since the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
It is time for the UN Declarations and the ILO conventions on democratic and trade union freedoms to be fully implemented in their own operation and for discrimination and exclusion against the WFTU and other independent trade unions to be ended once and for all.
While industrial relations are constantly being deregulated and collective bargaining is shrinking and collective agreements are being violated, while stable and permanent work is being replaced by so-called “flexible” forms, while child labor, instead of being eliminated, is becoming more severe, while utility sector and other social enterprises are rapidly privatized, the otherwise ambitious and correct slogan adopted by the ILO for “decent work”, in practice is a well-sounding slogan but of no consequence.
The same goes for the discussion about the future of work. What is the value of this debate, given that the present of work is so overtly characterized by setbacks and massive undermining of rights and achievements.
For the WFTU it is clear that only with the struggles and with the organized militant demands the goals of the labor movement are realized and social progress is achieved.
That is why, in the framework of this year’s ILC, the WFTU calls upon the workers’ representatives, the class-oriented unions participating or attending, to be active and to demand actual decent work and dignified life for the workers, struggling militantly for:
– Improvement of the living standards of workers and pensioners
– Public and free healthcare for all
– Trade union and democratic freedoms
– Gender equality
– Eradication of racism and xenophobia
– Protection of the environment
– Workers’ solidarity
– Stop imperialistic wars and interventions, dissolution of NATO, destruction of nuclear weapons
– Respect for the right of all the peoples to decide on their own about their present and future
WFTU Headquarters
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WFTU STATEMENT: The WFTU is on the side of the workers and the peoples of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua
30 May 2022
The World Federation of Trade Unions, on behalf of its 110 million members in 135 countries around the world, ratifies its solidarity with the workers and peoples of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua given the fact that they were denied their participation in the People’s Summit, as unilateral actions of exclusion of the US government to these countries, to participate in the IX Summit of the Americas to be held between June 6 and 10 in Los Angeles, California.
For the WFTU, the right of peoples to decide for themselves freely and democratically about their present and their future, without discrimination of any kind, is a fundamental principle, ratified in the recently concluded 18th Congress of our organization.
Once again we support any action of integration and unity of workers for a common good, which opposes the subversion of the economic, political and social system that each nation determines in a sovereign manner.
We continue together, for the satisfaction of our contemporary needs; against imperialist-capitalist barbarity!
The WFTU Headquarters
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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