Taking COSATU Today Forward, 8 April 2026 #CosatuMayDay2026
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU National May Day will be celebrated at Polokwane, Limpopo on May 1 #ClassWar #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
8 April 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Stakeholders and interested parties invited to make written and/or oral submissions on the Special Appropriation Bill [B3 – 2026].
- South Africa
- Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi welcomes Signing Into Law of Public Administration Management Amendment Act and Public Service Amendment Act
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- The message of the Workers House of Iran to the international trade union community and global organizations.
- Transport unions push for justice and equality at UN CSW70
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
Stakeholders and interested parties invited to make written and/or oral submissions on the Special Appropriation Bill [B3 – 2026].
The Select Committee on Appropriations invites stakeholders and interested parties to make written and/or oral submissions on the Special Appropriation Bill [B3 – 2026]. The Bill was introduced by the Minister of Finance on 25 February 2026. The Money Bills and Related Matters Act, No. 13 of 2018, requires Parliament to conduct public hearings and report on all Bills.
The closing date for written submissions, or to indicate your intention to make an oral presentation, is 14:00 on Friday, 24 April 2026. Public hearings on the Bill will be held virtually by the Select Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 09:00.
Submissions must be sent to the Committee Secretariat: Mr Lubabalo Nodada at Lno...@parliament.gov.za or Ms Estelle Grunewald at egrun...@parliament.gov.za.
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
Minister Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi welcomes Signing Into Law of Public Administration Management Amendment Act and Public Service Amendment Act
06 Apr 2026
The
Minister for Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, has welcomed the signing into law of the Public Administration Management Amendment Act, 2025, and the Public Service Amendment Act, 2025, by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a significant
step forward in building a capable, ethical, and professional public service.
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These two Acts introduce provisions aimed at enhancing administrative powers, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and improving efficiency in the public service. These reforms align with President Cyril Ramaphosa's vision for a professional, efficient,
and ethical public service, as emphasized in the State of the Nation Address.
The Public Service Amendment Act addresses policy reform commitments and strengthens the public service. The Act empowers heads of departments with administrative powers, enhances the role of the Director-General in the Presidency, clarifies the role of the Public Service Commission, and provides clarity on the appointment and career incidents of heads of departments.
Similarly, the Public Administration Management Amendment Act seeks to harmonize critical aspects of public administration across all spheres of government. The Act emphasizes the improvement of state capacity and capability through the transfer and secondment of employees, the promotion of ethical standards for public servants, the reconfiguration of the National School of Government to be constituted as a national department, the removal of disparities in conditions of service, and better coordination of determinations of conditions of service for all employees in the public administration.
“These reforms collectively lay the foundation for a more agile, ethical, and development-oriented public service, one that is better equipped to meet the needs of our citizens,” said Minister Buthelezi.
The Minister emphasised that while the enactment of these legislative reforms marks a significant milestone, more work remains necessary to realise meaningful and sustained change within the public service. He noted that committed and capable public servants ultimately drive service delivery, and that no legislative framework, however well-crafted, can substitute for the right attitudes, ethos, and sense of purpose within the system.
In this regard, the Minister underscored the importance of cultivating professionalism as a lived institutional culture, rather than merely a prescriptive framework. He highlighted that professionalism must be anchored in accountability, ethical conduct, and service excellence, and must find expression through the values of the Batho Pele principles. Central to this is the recognition of public service as a calling, one that demands dedication to the people of South Africa rather than merely a job.
The Department therefore welcomes the finalisation of this process, which follows a sustained period of rigorous engagement and hard work, and views it as a critical step towards building a public service that is not only well-regulated, but also values-driven, professional in conduct, and responsive to the needs of citizens.
For
further information, please contact:
Mr. Sakhikhaya Dlala
Deputy Director: Content and Media Liaison
E-mail: Sakhikha...@dpsa.gov.za
Cell: 078 746 8169
Issued by Department of Public Service and Administration
International-Solidarity
The message of the Workers House of Iran to the international trade union community and global organizations.
From: Worker’s House of the Islamic Republic of Iran
To: All Trade Unions of the World
Subject: Gross Violation of International Commitments and Attacks on Workplaces and Workers; Request for Urgent and Preventive Action
Dear Comrades,
We respectfully bring to your attention that on February 28th, extensive military actions were undertaken by the United States government and the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran, resulting in a flagrant violation of all existing international treaties and commitments. These attacks, carried out using various types of fighter jets and missiles, not only exerted military pressure but also led to the martyrdom of one of the most prominent religious, political, and scientific figures of our nation, as well as the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians. This approach showcases a new and inhumane form of terrorism, where adversaries are neither armed nor prepared for war, yet are targeted.
Unfortunately, in the recent two conflicts, this new method of terrorism has not been limited to military commanders or political officials, but has also targeted workplaces, production facilities, and workers. These attacks, which have resulted in widespread martyrdom and injury of the labor force, indicate the intention of the United States government and the Zionist regime to destroy human resources and annihilate the country's production infrastructure.
The attack on educational environments, such as the attack on a school in Minab which led to the deaths of 185 young schoolchildren, and its subsequent condemnation in the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, highlights the catastrophic scale and potential consequences of these actions in the workplaces.
Worker’s House of Iran, as an entity supporting the rights of labor and effort, while strongly condemning these atrocities, expects the voice of protest and the suffering of the workers of the Islamic Republic of Iran to be seriously heard in international forums, especially in the International Labor Organization, which is responsible for supporting workers worldwide and all Trade Unions in the world.
Therefore, we earnestly request you, as the voice of workers globally, to:
1. Convey the cry of the oppressed workers of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the world.
2. Act decisively regarding the investigation and urgent action for the protection of workplaces and the cessation of attacks on these centers.
3. Hold the United States government and the Zionist regime accountable through punitive and preventive measures for their hostile actions and blatant violation of international humanitarian law and labor rights.
We are confident that the International Labor Organization, as an institution born from human conscience and a defender of fundamental workers’ rights, will seriously pursue this request and take the necessary actions to restore the violated rights of workers and ensure the safety of workplaces.
With renewed respect,
Ali Reza Mahjoub
General secretary of Worker’s House of Iran
Worker’s House
The Supreme Confederation of Iranian Workers
Date: 4/4/2025
NO: wh5022
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Trade unions call for urgent action as steel overcapacity and trade distortions intensify
7 April, 2026
Trade unions sounded the alarm at the OECD Steel Committee meeting in Paris on 23–24 March 2026, warning that growing global imbalances in the steel sector are putting jobs, industrial capacity and entire regions at risk.
Leading a large trade union delegation at the meeting, TUAC, IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll Europe raised deep concerns about mounting pressures on the industry. They stressed that without urgent and coordinated action, current trends could accelerate job losses and deindustrialization across many parts of the world.
The discussions took place against a backdrop of worsening market conditions, as reflected in the OECD Steel Committee’s conclusions. Global excess capacity reached 640 million tonnes in 2025 and continues to rise. At the same time, weakening demand, rising exports and increasing trade circumvention are placing significant strain on producers and workers alike. These dynamics are driving down prices, undermining investment and threatening the long-term viability of the sector.
Trade unions underlined that these are not abstract market developments, but trends with direct and severe consequences for workers across the steel industry.
“Structural challenges in the steel sector remain unaddressed, while the worsening of economic conditions and the incoming energy shock will exacerbate existing problems. For workers, this means restructuring, plant closures, offshoring, job insecurity, and growing pressure on wages, working conditions, and social dialogue. We need OECD governments to act decisively to secure the future of steel in our countries and quality jobs in the industry”,
declared Veronica Nilsson, TUAC general secretary.
Growing uncertainty is also fuelling short-term corporate behaviour, with profits too often directed towards shareholder returns rather than reinvested in jobs, skills and low-carbon production.
“Across Europe, one of the main problems is the lack of investment. Companies are failing to reinvest in production, in workers and in the transformation of our industrial sites, putting the future of the steel industry and entire regions at risk. Responsible business conduct demands a sustainable approach to investment from management. As Europe implements the steel action plan, as we have jointly demanded, companies should unlock their investments. This would be a tangible signal to the workforce that their jobs are valued and that steel companies also have skin in the game,”
said Judith Kirton-Darling, general secretary of industriAll Europe.
Trade unions highlighted several critical challenges:
Insufficient long-term investment is weakening innovation, decarbonization and workforce development
Skills shortages are increasing as experienced workers leave the sector and fewer young people enter
The transition to low-carbon steel risks being delayed without clear industrial strategies and funding
Unions stressed that the shift to climate-neutral steel will only succeed with substantial investment, long-term industrial policies and meaningful social dialogue. They called for stronger public investment, responsible business conduct and full worker involvement to ensure a Just Transition that protects jobs and communities.
“Responsible business conduct is not optional – it is central to the future of steel. Companies must reinvest in production and workers, rather than paying out dividends. And due diligence must be done with workers, not despite them with genuine union involvement, independent worker voice, and credible grievance mechanisms. Without genuine union involvement, independent worker voice and credible grievance mechanisms, we risk weak audits, corporate whitewashing and further disruption to an already fragile industry,”
said Atle Høie IndustriALL general secretary
Finally, trade unions reaffirmed their readiness to work with governments, industry and the OECD to deliver coordinated solutions. They called for decisive action to support sustainable steel production, quality jobs and fair global competition.
Read the TUAC statement here
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Transport unions push for justice and equality at UN CSW70
07 Apr 2026
The 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) brought governments, unions and civil society together in New York from 9-19 March 2026, at a critical moment for women’s rights.
This year’s priority theme – ensuring access to justice for all women and girls – comes amid growing global attacks on equality, alongside rapid changes in the world of work driven by the climate crisis, new technologies and economic instability. For women
transport workers, these pressures are deepening inequalities.
Women trade unionists once again formed part of the Global Unions delegation, coordinated by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The ITF delegation included Meryem Halouani, Chair of the ITF Women Transport Workers’ Committee; Jessica Isbister,
Dockers’ Section Women’s Representative; Céline Ruffie, ITF Executive Board member, and Claire Clarke from the ITF Women’s Department.
Justice at work is central The Global Unions’ joint statement to CSW70, Access to justice for women in the world of work, makes clear how access to justice for women sustains peace and democracy, is a direct means of implementing women’s labour rights, and
that economic justice for women starts with decent work.
The Agreed Conclusions adopted at CSW70 include several commitments in line with trade union priorities – for example, commitments on labour rights, the care economy, and gender-responsive justice systems, and recognition of trade unions as key actors in promoting
access to justice. The text also recognises multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, as well as structural and systemic barriers, as major impediments to gender equality.
However, negotiations exposed ongoing resistance. Several provisions were weakened by references to implementation being “subject to national law,” particularly on girls’ rights. Access to justice related to sexual and reproductive health and rights remained
highly contentious. The Conclusions were adopted by vote for the first time, with the United States opposing and tabling a separate resolution that was not adopted questioning the very concept of ‘gender equality’.
ITF voices at CSW70
ITF representatives played an active role throughout the session. At a civil society Townhall with the UN Secretary-General, ITF Executive Board and Women’s Committee member Céline Ruffie called for stronger commitments to include young women leaders in decision-making.
At a Global Unions parallel event on “Reimagining Justice: Decent Work for Women,” Jessica Isbister highlighted the ITF’s work on supply chains: “When women workers organise, when unions expose abuses, and when global supply chains are held responsible for
their workers, we can move closer to a world where decent work and justice is truly available to all women.”
Meryem Halouani, Chair of the ITF Women Transport Workers’ Committee, said:
For women transport workers, access to justice means being safe at work, being heard, and having the power to claim our rights. Through our unions, we are organising to break down the barriers that still deny women equality and dignity.”
Driving change through solidarity
Despite political tensions, CSW70 reaffirmed the essential role of trade unions in advancing women’s rights. For the ITF and its affiliates, the focus now is clear: turning commitments into action through organising, solidarity and continued pressure for
change.
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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