Taking COSATU Today Forward, 3 July 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu National Gender Committee session is underway #GenderEquality#EqualPay #CosatuCallCentre number is 010 022 2590 #DecentWork #DecentLives #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
3 July 2025
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- SAMWU strongly condemns uMhlathuze Municipality's misleading statements and calls for good faith negotiations
- COSATU presented its submission on the SARB Amendment Bill to Parliament
- DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
- South Africa
- Work To Rule Pays: SADTU KZN welcomes successful payment of basic allocations to schools
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Argentina’s manufacturing unions warn of deindustrialization and deliver harsh criticism of Milei’s government
- Financing for Development: ITUC Statement on the ’Compromiso de Sevilla’
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
SAMWU strongly condemns uMhlathuze Municipality's misleading statements and calls for good faith negotiations
Zandile Gumede, SAMWU Regional Secretary, 03 July 2025
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in the Shonamalanga Region to express its profound concern that the pleas and cries of our members in the municipality continues fall on deaf ears. SAMWU has made numerous attempts to resolve the ongoing and critical issues impacting our members.
As a Union, we have submitted a series of letters through our various structures, consistently urging the Employer to return to the bargaining table to find an amicable resolution. We wish to place it on record that the Employer has continuously demonstrated a blatant disregard not only for its employees, who form the backbone of service delivery, but also for the residents and ratepayers of uMhlathuze, who are directly affected by the current disruptions.
The deliberate act of halting and suspending negotiations on 22 June 2025, and subsequently cancelling the SAMWU General Meeting which was scheduled for 23 June 2025, is a clear indication that we are dealing with an egocentric and unprofessional employer. Such actions demonstrate an employer who is not interested in the return of normalcy in the municipality, and more importantly, the resolution of grievances raised by workers.
We find ourselves in this unfortunate position today as a Union solely because of the Employer's arrogance and hollow rhetoric; they have dismally failed to address even the simplest of issues plaguing the workforce. As a Union, we are not interested in the political affairs of the employer, but the legitimate struggle for workers' rights must not be manipulated to settle cheap political scores, nor should our Union be scapegoated for the Employer's failure to deliver basic services to our people.
It is a blatant lie and a fallacy that our members are intimidating workers who are currently discharging their duties. The majority of the employees of the City of uMhlathuze are SAMWU Members, and we account for a 67% membership. We are aware of the Employer instigating instances of "black on black violence" against its employees, but we refute with the strongest contempt the alleged "member to member violence" purported by the Employer.
We unequivocally challenge the Employer to bring forward evidence and case numbers of such perpetrators, as these allegations are clearly designed to tarnish our good name. Our strike remains peaceful and protected, and it is only a competent and impartial court that can label it otherwise.
An urgent application was made last week by the employer through its attorneys to interdict our peaceful strike. They have labelled us with all manner of vile and baseless accusations. Despite these provocations, we have continued to maintain our composure. The matter was set down on 26 June 2025, wherein they were praying for an interim order to interdict our strike so as to victimise all its participants. However, they were fed a humble pie, and justice stood with the workers. To date, the Judgement remains reserved. T
his unequivocally means there was nothing urgent about their application, except for the harsh infringements of the workers' constitutional right to partake in a peaceful and protected strike in accordance with Section 64(1)(d) of Act 66 of 1995, the Labour Relations Act.
It is therefore deeply disturbing that the employer is now misusing the Court’s reserved Judgement as a pretext for not wanting to resume negotiations. We reiterate our commitment to a peaceful and constructive engagement and call upon the Employer to act in good faith by returning to the negotiation table without further delay.
If City of Mhlathuze Management cares for the residents it serves, service delivery and the interest of workers, the municipal management will return to the negotiations table. The doors of negotiations for the Union remain open!
Issued by SAMWU Shonamalanga Region
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COSATU presented its submission on the SARB Amendment Bill to Parliament
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 02 July 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) presented its submission on the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Amendment Bill to Parliament’s Standing Committee: Finance.
The Bill provides for the state to be the sole shareholder in the SARB and to appoint its Directors. COSATU supports the Bill as it seeks to align SARB’s ownership and leadership structures in line with international norms, including across the world’s leading industrial economies.
The SARB for a quirk of history allows for private shareholders. This is an anomaly and makes no sense whatsoever. The SARB is a creature of Constitutional and legislative design and should reflect this ethos.
We believe the Bill meets constitutional muster as it simply seeks to provide for the state to be the sole shareholder of this public institution.
Treasury and the SARB need to provide a reasonable framework and options on how this could be effected, taking into account the processes and provisions stipulated by the Expropriation Act for matters of compensation.
This would need to take into account fiscal constraints and not to allow undue profiteering by shareholders seeking extravagant and unjust compensation.
There is a need for a broader debate on the role of the SARB in not only managing the value of the currency and protecting workers from the dangers of inflationary erosion of their wages, but also to play a much more aggressive and progressive role in stimulating economic growth, including utilising a lower repo rate to support this mandate.
This is a sensitive matter for society, workers, the economy and the state and needs to be handled with the necessary sobriety and common sense. It should not be reduced to a matter of slogans or unhelpful fear mongering but rather approached in a manner that addresses this historical anomaly and ensures that SARB is strategically positioned to help support economic growth.
Issued by COSATU
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DITSELA Institute holds a Siyakhuluma Seminar-Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Dear Comrades,
You’re cordially invited to DITSELA’s National Siyakhuluma Seminar.
Topic: Is the Challenge on Employment Equity an assault on Transformation?
Date: 08th July 2025
Time: 11H00AM- 13H00PM
Venue: ZOOM
https://ditsela-org-za.zoom.us/j/94152009081...
Meeting ID: 941 5200 9081
Passcode: 620707
Contact: nele...@ditsela.org.za or ma...@ditsela.org.za for any enquiries.
See you there!
Work To Rule Pays: SADTU KZN welcomes successful payment of basic allocations to schools
Nomarashiya Caluza, SADTU KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, 02 July 2025
The South African Democra2c Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes with apprecia2on and excitement the release of the long-awaited basic allocation funds to schools.
SADTU has been reliably informed by her members - School Principals that the funds have been transferred into school accounts. However, some schools will receive the payments by 4 July 2025.
The Union wishes to remind her members and the general public that this payment of basic allocations to schools is not coincidental. It is a direct result of the principled and collectiveaction undertaken by SADTU members through the Work to Rule campaign.
SADTU wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all members who participated in this campaign. Your unity, discipline, and revolutionary commitment to defend quality education for all have yielded posi2ve results.
ISSUED BY: SADTU KZN Provincial Secretariat
International-Solidarity
Argentina’s manufacturing unions warn of deindustrialization and deliver harsh criticism of Milei’s government
2 July, 2025
Argentina’s largest industrial union federation, CSIRA, is sounding the alarm over what it calls an imminent “industricide,” accusing President Javier Milei’s government of wrecking manufacturing, destroying jobs, and threatening the country’s economic sovereignty.
According to CSIRA’s statement, in 2024 the manufacturing sector shrank by 9.4 per cent, construction plummeted 27 per cent and other key sectors, such as mining, also recorded declines. Since 2023, more than 1,000 companies have had to close down and nearly 100,000 formal jobs have been lost.
CSIRA says that the main reasons for this decline are the indiscriminate entry of imports, a lack of financing, the country’s uncompetitive currency and paralysis in the domestic market. It warns that, if Argentina continues on this course, SMEs will be weakened, the country’s productive capacity will be destroyed and its dependence on foreign trade will grow.
CSIRA also calls into question the deregulation of the domestic cabotage market, which will allow foreign ships to provide transport services in Argentina. The unions say this will affect employment and generate foreign exchange outflows. In terms of labour issues, it is calling for free trade unions and condemns the rising cost of living, precarious working conditions and the reforms being brought in that will weaken workers’ rights. CSIRA also condems the “outlawing” of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, warning that “without independent justice there can be no real democracy”.
The statement includes a call for change:
“Argentina has the resources, infrastructure, human talent and scientific knowledge to bring about a new phase of industrial development. What is lacking is political will and the conviction that without industry we will not have a Nation – and without a Nation, there is no decent future.”
IndustriALL’s regional secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Marino Vani, congratulated the CSIRA for its initiative and for holding the discussion and putting forward proposals to make Argentina’s industry viable.
Desde IndustriALL, el secretario regional para América Latina y el Caribe Marino Vani felicita a la CSIRA por la iniciativa y el debate, y por construir propuestas para viabilizar la industria argentina.
“We regret that the Milei government is not taking measures to safeguard jobs in the sector, as these jobs are important for recovery and development in Latin America. We support the CSIRA’s position and will stand with our colleagues in discussions on the future of Latin America’s industry."
IndustriALL affiliates belonging to CSIRA
Asociación Obrera Minera Argentina – AOMA
Asociación de Supervisores de la Industria Metalmecánica de la República Argentina – ASIMRA
Sindicato de Mecánicos y Afines del Transporte Automotor de la República Argentina – SMATA
Unión Obrera Metalúrgica – UOM
Unión de Obreros Empleados Tintoreros, Sombrereros y Lavaderos – UOETSYLRA
Federación de Obreros y Empleados de la Industria del Papel, Cartón Químicos - FOEIPC y Q
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Financing for Development: ITUC Statement on the ’Compromiso de Sevilla’
2 June 2025
The long-awaited Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) of the United Nations (UN) took place in Sevilla, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July, to set the global agenda for development finance.
The Conference covered a broad range of themes, including taxation, debt, trade, development cooperation and private finance, where bold reforms are urgently needed to close the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Compromiso de Sevilla presents a number of important commitments, but also highlights critical gaps that must be addressed to place democracy and social justice at the centre of the international financial architecture.
Welcome focus on decent work, care and social protection
The agreement sets out joint commitments to invest in productive sectors, create decent jobs, support skills development, increase investment in the care economy and promote the formalisation of the informal economy – an important step forward. The call for US$4 trillion in annual climate finance is also crucial. For these goals to have a meaningful impact, they must be supported by clear implementation strategies and a strong emphasis on transitioning undeclared and misclassified workers into the formal economy.
Equally important is the inclusion of a measurable target for developing countries to increase social protection coverage by at least two percentage points per year – a goal championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This target addresses the urgent reality that nearly half the global population lacks any form of social protection. The text also refers to ILO standards and stresses the need for predictable, adequate, and sustained financing, particularly during shocks and crises. It underscores the role of international financial mechanisms in helping low-income countries close their social protection funding gaps.
Living wages and equal pay missing
Unfortunately, the Seville conference missed an opportunity to recognise the importance of living wages, as defined by the ILO tripartite agreement on living wages, and equal pay for work of equal value. Living wages are critical for millions of workers whose daily priority is how to make ends meet. Living wages are a fundamental policy tool for achieving the SDGs. Therefore, policies on living wages and equal pay– especially efforts to close the gender pay gap – must be integrated into governments’ development strategies. This includes improving minimum wage adequacy and expanding collective bargaining.
Fiscal justice and fair taxation
The Sevilla outcome includes a clear commitment to advancing fair and progressive taxation by promoting just tax systems, improving international tax transparency, and ensuring that corporations and the ultra-wealthy contribute their fair share. While the language on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation has been softened, the FFD4 outcome still “encourages support” for stronger global tax cooperation. This includes participating in the process toward establishing a UN Tax Convention – a key step in combating tax avoidance and building a more inclusive and equitable international tax system.
Debt architecture reform
One of the most contentious issues during the FfD4 negotiations was the future role of the UN in shaping global debt architecture. The document commits UN Member States to “initiate an intergovernmental process at the United Nations with a view to make recommendations for closing gaps in the debt architecture and exploring options to address debt sustainability”.
Trade unions will continue advocating for this process to create a permanent multilateral debt resolution mechanism under UN leadership, based on UN General Assembly resolution 69/319 of 10 September 2015, titled "Basic principles on sovereign debt restructuring processes.”
Such a mechanism must offer comprehensive debt relief, including cancellation and restructuring, for low- and middle-income countries upon request. Crucially, this relief must be free from austerity-related conditions and must support recovery, resilience, and sustainable development.
Private finance still not fit for development
While recognising that private finance has not adequately prioritised sustainable development, the Compromiso de Sevilla continues to promote the mobilisation of private capital and the use of blended finance. Moreover, it provides only vague references to voluntary monitoring and accountability mechanisms for ensuring alignment with the SDGs.
To make private finance truly support development, private actors must comply with ILO standards and uphold due diligence and responsible business conduct. This highlights the urgent need for a binding UN treaty on multinational corporations and human rights.
More and better development cooperation
Although the document reaffirms the importance of Official Development Assistance (ODA), it fails to provide specific, time-bound commitments to increase aid or ensure its effective use. This omission is especially concerning in light of widespread aid cuts. To reverse this trend, it is essential to set clear timelines and indicators for scaling up ODA, and to establish robust mechanisms that guarantee transparency, accountability, and impact.
ODA must be strategically directed to support key policies under SDG 8, including: the creation of decent jobs, full employment, social protection, occupational health and safety, quality education and lifelong learning, equal pay for work of equal value, the formalization of informal work, and decent work opportunities for migrants and youth.
Labour rights missing in international trade
In the area of trade, the document fails to commit to update World Trade Organization (WTO) rules to include labour standards. The ITUC calls for ILO core labour standards to be integrated into the WTO’s rulebook. This is based on the principle that the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work applies to all ILO members, which are also WTO members. In this context, the ILO supervisory system should be used to assess compliance with labour standards in international trade.
Moreover, the FfD4 outcome document misses the opportunity to propose bold reforms to the investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms in trade and investment agreements.
Poor responses to climate finance and systemic shocks
In terms of systemic issues, the document lacks ambition on climate finance, failing to include an explicit commitment to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. Likewise, it does not include ambitious targets for Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), even though such reallocations are urgently needed to anticipate and mitigate shocks related to climate, health, digitalisation and other emerging challenges.
Moreover, while the ITUC welcomes the document’s recognition of the need for governance reform at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, it falls short in this area too. Although shareholding reviews are vitally important, the complete lack of accountability of these institutions to more representative institutions within the UN system is dangerous. This is particularly concerning in light of their frequent policy prescriptions, which are often harmful. Stronger accountability measures are urgently needed.
Conclusion
ITUC welcomes several elements of the Compromiso de Sevilla that reflect longstanding trade union demands. ITUC will continue to advocate for a higher level of ambition in the overall financing for development agenda, particularly regarding the urgent reform of international financial architecture, based on democracy and solidarity.
As ITUC Secretary General Luc Triangle stated: “Workers worldwide demand democratic and transparent institutions capable of delivering the New Social Contract. It is time to transform principles into action and promises into policies. The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development offers a vital chance to raise ambition and place social justice at the core of sustainable development..”
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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