Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 27 February 2025 #CosatuProvCongress #CosatuProvGenderConf
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu Northern Cape Provincial Congress is in session at Springbok #WorkerControl #Back2Basics #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
27 February 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU President’s Input at the launch of the COSATU Call Centre
- SAMWU is furious at Ray Nkonyeni’s continous attempt to frustrate workers and the community through its municipal manager
- South Africa
- Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya on Occupational Health and Safety Act conference
- Minister Dion George on first round of consultations on Sectoral Emission Targets
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Mobilize for gender equality
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU President’s Input at the launch of the COSATU Call Centre:25.02.25
Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President, February 25, 2025
Programme Director, Deputy President Mike
General Secretary of COSATU, cde Solly
COSATU NOBs and Leadership of the CEC
RMA Group Executive: Social Insurance, Mr Thulani Sibeko and the entire team Comrades, and members of the media
Comrades, it is an honour to address you today at this historic launch of the COSATU Call Centre. Before we begin, let us take a moment to pay tribute to our forebears—the fearless leaders who gave birth to COSATU in 1985. President Elijah Barayi,John Gomomo, Chris Dlamini, mama Emma Mashinini, Ray Alexander, Lydia Komape-Ngwenya, Violet Sibone, Alina Rantsolase, Vuyisile Mini and many others whose sacrifices and dedication laid the foundation of this mighty Federation.
As COSATU turns 40 years old this year, we stand before their legacy with pride. We can report to them that their child has grown, that their dream of a united, worker-driven movement is alive and strong. Their struggles, sacrifices, and victories will never be erased. Instead, we will build upon their legacy, ensuring that the fight for workers’ rights continues for generations to come.
The idea of this call centre was first discussed last year between our General Secretary, Solly Phetoe, and RMA Group CEO, Mandla Shezi. Their vision was clear—to create a one-stop shop that provides immediate assistance to workers facing challenges, including employers who fail to pay pension fund and UIF contributions, delays in claiming benefits, and dissatisfaction with union services.
This call centre is a worker-centric initiative that will provide free assistance to all workers, whether unionised or not, in line with COSATU’s longstanding commitment to fight for and protect the rights of all workers. However, while the call centre will serve all workers, those who are not yet part of the movement will be encouraged to join COSATU-affiliated unions so we can continue growing our Federation and strengthening our collective voice.
We chose to launch the call centre during the Central Executive Committee meeting, one of COSATU’s highest governing structures, to ensure full leadership support and commitment from all affiliates. This is not an initiative that replaces the work of our affiliates, but rather one that strengthens their capacity to better serve workers.
RMA, as the administrator of Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COIDA), plays a critical role in assisting workers in mining, metal, and related industries with their claims. The integration of the call centre with RMA will ensure that calls requiring RMA’s intervention are transferred seamlessly, ensuring that workers do not struggle to access their benefits.
For too long, workers have suffered due to delays and inefficiencies in accessing the benefits they are legally entitled to. We have heard countless stories of mothers who return to work without receiving their maternity benefits, despite having applied on time. In some cases, their children are already walking, yet they have not received a single cent.
Workers queue at UIF offices for days, desperate for financial relief, only to be sent from pillar to post. Others wait years for compensation for occupational injuries and diseases. This must end! The true success of this call centre will be measured by the speed at which workers receive their benefits—on time, every time.
Beyond improving service delivery, this initiative must also serve as a union-building tool. A dedicated recruitment campaign must be linked to the call centre to ensure that we continue organising, uniting, and empowering workers. A strong labour movement is the backbone of worker protection, and we must use this opportunity to strengthen COSATU’s reach and impact.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the General Secretary, Solly Phetoe, as well as Comrades Jan Mahlangu, Donald, Thabo, Tsakani, and Mpho for their hard work in bringing this vision to life. Your dedication has made today’s launch possible, and we salute you for your efforts.
As we move forward, let us ensure that this call centre delivers tangible results—not just promises, but real victories for workers. This is more than a service; it is a commitment to justice, dignity, and fairness for every worker in South Africa.
With those words, it is my great pleasure to declare the COSATU Call Centre officially launched!
Amandla!
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SAMWU is furious at Ray Nkonyeni’s continous attempt to frustrate workers and the community through its municipal manager
Ntombifuthi Mzotho, SAMWU Regional Secretary, 27 February 2025
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) is outraged by the blatant failure of the African National Congress (ANC) to prioritize the community of Ray Nkonyeni. The Ratepayers Association, the business community, and the residents of Ray Nkonyeni will recall that an out-of-court agreement was reached between SAMWU and the Ray Nkonyeni municipality after the Municipal Manager failed to implement the arbitration award that was rightfully ruled in favor of SAMWU in September 2024.
The labor court proceedings today, have come at a time when approximately 60% of Ray Nkonyeni employees are still waiting for their deliberately withheld salaries. SAMWU believes these payments were intentionally delayed creating instability and disrupt service delivery within the municipality. It is unacceptable that we are still waiting to hear what actions the municipality’s council will take to correct this reckless and irresponsible behavior by the Municipal Manager. Once again, the workers of Ray Nkonyeni feel betrayed by the Ray Nkonyeni Council, despite an out-of-court settlement that allowed for the resumption of services, following intervention by the MEC of COGTA in KwaZulu-Natal. However, these efforts have once again been undermined by Municipal Manager Khetha Zulu, who continues to defy the Council and TROIKA of Ray Nkonyeni.
Municipal Manager has recklessly instructed attorneys to disregard the settlement agreement reached by all parties, using every possible tactic to continue with the review application filed in October 2024. This is in blatant violation of the terms of the settlement agreement, which clearly state that Ray Nkonyeni will withdraw the review and honor the agreed-upon terms with SAMWU.
The labour court had to appoint a different judge to hear SAMWU’s urgent application to postpone the review and remove it from the court roll so the parties could finaly see the implementation of the settlement agreement and focus on the urgent matters of service delivery and flooding disaster in the area of Ray Nkonyeni. Despite fierce opposition from the Municipal Manager, the postponement was rightfully granted in favor of SAMWU. Once again, SAMWU and its regional leaders have been vindicated. We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the Speaker and Mayor that the Municipal Manager’s actions are directly undermining the progressive agenda of the ANC, which is leading the council. The ANC in the region has failed to demonstrate effective leadership, continuing to allow the Municipal Manager to flout all authority and act without accountability.
In a recent staff meeting on February 25th, the ANC-led TROIKA took a clear decision and announced that they had instructed their lawyers, through the Municipal Manager, to withdraw the review from court roll and implement the terms of the settlement agreement. Yet, Khetha Zulu has persistently defied TROIKA’s direct orders, instructing attorneys to appoint senior counsel to continue pursuing the review, despite the council and TROIKA’s unambiguous decision that employees must be paid in accordance with the terms negotiated with the union.
We demand that the leadership of the ANC in both the province and the region take immediate and decisive action to ensure that the Municipal Manager is held fully accountable for his reckless and defiant actions. The workers of Ray Nkonyeni are rightfully furious that TROIKA has once again allowed the Municipal Manager to act with impunity, thus bringing the municipality’s reputation into serious disrepute.
This cannot be allowed to continue.
Issued by SAMWU South Coast Region
Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya on Occupational Health and Safety Act conference
26 Feb 2025
Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour urges employers to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and make it part of their culture to safeguard the lives of the employees and their businesses.
The Deputy Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Jomo Sibiya urged employers to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS). This, he said would ensure more profitability, and efficiency and improve productivity in the workplace.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at the National OHS conference held by the Department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch at the Protea Hotel, Klerksdorp in the North West Province. The conference started today, 26 February 2025 focusing on improving compliance in the Metal/Iron and Steel Sector.
Addressing the conference, Deputy Minister, said the OHS matters should be made part of each organisation’s culture. “An institution without culture will be chaotic, there will be no authority and people will do as they please. With culture there will be profitability, efficiency, and productivity” said Deputy Minister Sibiya.
The Conference is attended by about 400 delegates that include strategic stakeholders from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Organised Labour, Organised Business, and other specialists in the Iron and Steel Sector. They agreed that collaboration by all is key in ensuring compliance with the Labour Laws.
In addition, the Department through the Chief Inspector, Milly Ruiters shared the OHS Vision 2029 Strategy, which is a plan by the Department towards the realisation of zero injuries and diseases in workplaces. She also said for the Department to attain this vision, they have developed a plan based on the IES strategy and outcomes of the status of the OHS Report which was launched in July 2021. She said the strategy aims to address the poor working conditions and lack of compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Legislation.
“With this strategy, we aim to prevent incidents, injuries, and diseases. It provides a clear plan on the direction to be followed to change the current occupational health and safety landscape within the jurisdiction of the Department as it will guide the OHS community internally and externally” said, Ruiters.
This Conference started today, 26 February, and is scheduled to end on Friday, 28 February 2025. It will cover among others the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Amendment Bill; Unemployment Insurance Fund Compliance; OHS international perspectives; snapshot of compliance in the Iron and Steel sector; OHS strategy; Violence and Harassment at the workplace Implications on OHS, Construction challenges in the Iron and Steel; Future of Major Hazardous Installations; Future of Engineers in the Iron and steel Sector, Importance of qualifications in the sector; National Code of Practice for Training Providers of Lifting Machine Operators; Electrical Machinery in Hazardous locations; Legal implications of Electrical Installations; Safe Handling of gases within the reticulation environment; Importance of inspection and tests of the pressure equipment and artificial intelligence and robotics in the iron and steel sector
For
media enquiries contact:
Teboho Thejane Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
E-mail: teboho....@labour.gov.za
#GovZAUpdates
Issued by Department of Employment and Labour
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Minister Dion George on first round of consultations on Sectoral Emission Targets
27 Feb 2025
Under the leadership of Minister Dion George, DFFE progresses towards finalising Sectoral Emission Targets to foster economic growth and green job creation
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, is pleased to announce that the first round of consultations on the Sectoral Emission Targets (SETs) have been concluded, marking an important step forward in the country’s climate action journey. Published for public comment in May 2024, the SETs are a key component of South Africa’s broader climate change strategy, aligning sector-specific emissions reductions with economic growth and job creation.
Following a thorough review and consultation process, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is now in the process of refining the SETs, incorporating valuable feedback from stakeholders and the public. This inclusive approach ensures that the targets are not only ambitious but also achievable, providing a balanced pathway that supports both climate objectives and economic resilience.
Dr George said, “The feedback received through the public consultations has been invaluable, helping to ensure that the Sectoral Emission Targets are both effective in addressing climate change and conducive to sustainable economic development. We are committed to ensuring that the final SETs create clear, actionable goals that will foster green innovation, attract investment, and create job opportunities across key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture.”
In March 2025, the revised SETs will be shared with the Minister to initiate Inter-Ministerial discussions, as outlined by section 25(3) of the National Climate Change Act. These discussions will focus on aligning the SETs with national development goals, ensuring that South Africa’s climate response supports the creation of jobs in emerging industries while promoting long-term economic growth and accelerating the implementation of existing sectoral policies.
The SETs will provide a clear framework for sectors to reduce their emissions, which in turn will drive the transition to a low-carbon economy. This transition is expected to create significant employment opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture.
The DFFE, under the leadership of Dr George, remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that the SETs contribute to building a resilient, low-carbon economy that drives sustainable growth and job creation for all South Africans.
For
media enquiries please contact:
Thobile Zulu-Molobi
Cell:
082 513 7154
E-mail: tmo...@dffe.gov.za
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197
Email: pmbel...@dffe.gov.za
Issued by Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
International-Solidarity
Mobilize for gender equality
27 February, 2025
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, turning 30 this year, has been key in driving a new women’s rights and a gender equality agenda. However, the UN highlights that despite significant strides, progress on gender equality, the rights and empowerment of all women and girls remain slow.
As we mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, women's rights worldwide are under unprecedented attacks, fuelled by the rise of hatred and masculinist rhetoric, often endorsed by governments. This occasion is unfolding against the backdrop of escalating insecurity and multiple crises, which have led to a staggering 50 per cent increase in the number of women and girls experiencing the harsh realities of armed conflict over the past decade.
Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:
“Defending gender equality and women's rights must be more than ever at the heart of our mission to secure social justice, equality and equity, with a decent standard of living for all.”
International Women’s Day should be the rallying cry to take action in the world of work and in our unions in:
Advancing women’s rights: IndustriALL is launching its new training modules for trade unions on Pay Equity. According to the ILO, despite the widespread ratification of ILO Conventions 100 and 111, the gender pay gap represents one of today’s greatest social injustices.
Promoting gender equality and ending GBVH, misogyny and sexism: there will be no equality if there is violence against women. We invite you to look at the new IndustriALL toolkit on levering human rights due diligence to end GBVH in supply chains. IndustriALL and its affiliates have adopted a #NOExcuse policy, calling for a change in culture and zero tolerance to all forms of GBVH, sexism and misogyny in the world of work. Let’s continue to campaign and reiterate that there is no excuse for violence against women and girls! Let’s call on governments to ratify ILO Convention 190 to end violence and harassment in the world of work. Let’s bargain with companies to implement the provisions of this Convention in our workplaces.
Fostering empowerment: this International Women’s Day, IndustriALL will focus on women in trade union leadership. We will highlight women leaders in our unions and their achievements to inspire more women and younger generations to take up leadership positions. Trade unions need to redefine power structures by ensuring inclusive access for young generations.
Get involved! Join the IndustriALL Women Facebook group and report back on your actions for International Women’s Day. Please tag IndustriALL in your posts on social media and use the hashtags #ALLWomen and #NOExcuse
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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