Taking COSATU Today Forward, 24 October 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #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
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24 October 2024
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- NEHAWU heads to court in defence of Community Healthcare Workers
- South Africa
- COSATU baffled by the decision to suspend former Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Organising for decent work a pathway to sustainable tourism
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
NEHAWU heads to court in defence of Community Healthcare Workers
Lwazi Nkolonzi, NEHAWU National Spokesperson, October 24, 202
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] will be appearing at the Labour Court in Defence of Community Healthcare Workers on the 29th October 2024, in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
This comes against the background of our determination to intensify the fight for the permanent appointment of Community Healthcare Workers.
In this regard, the union filed a case in the Labour Court to review the Arbitration Award that ruled against our application to force the employer to appoint Community Healthcare Workers permanently.
As NEHAWU, we are of the view that the National Department of Health failed to demonstrate justifiable reasons why Community Health Workers are kept in recurring fixed-term contracts.
Community Healthcare Workers play a tremendous role in providing healthcare to communities. They contribute significantly in improving the health status of our people. Indeed, this contingent of healthcare workers have on many occasions proven to be the backbone of the healthcare system and the important role they play in promoting health and wellbeing of our people. It was Community Healthcare Workers at the peak of COVID-19 that risked their lives in the fight against the pandemic. They played an instrumental role in the contact tracing and screening.
As NEHAWU, we reiterate our view that more has to be done to rapidly address the vast shortages of personnel in the healthcare system, as underscored in the 2030 Human Resource for Health Strategy where it states that “the prevailing Human Resource for Health challenges are a result of continued underinvestment, limited strategic planning and management capacity, and gaps in governance, stewardship, accountability, coordination and implementation of key health workforce policy interventions for the delivery of quality services”.
It is imperative for the department to ensure that there’s an investment in the healthcare system through the permanent employment of Community Healthcare Workers to address the major challenges encountering our healthcare system. Community Healthcare Workers play a critical role in improving the quality of our healthcare services. This would contribute positively towards strengthening our healthcare system to ensure that it provides access to quality health services for all in line with the principles of universal health coverage.
We are more than prepared to intensify the fight for the permanent absorption of all Community Health Workers with full employment benefits that are enjoyed by other public servants. Community Healthcare Workers can rest assured that they have a fighting union on their side.
We will continue to wage a relentless war to protect the interest of all Community Health Workers.
Lastly, the union shall stage a picket demonstration on the 29th October 2024 at the Labour Court in Braamfontein in the wake of court case.
Details of the picket are as follows:
Date: Tuesday 29 October 2024
Time: 10h00
Venue: 86 Juta Street, 6 Arbour Square Building, Juta St &, Melle St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
The national union reiterates its call for the permanent employment of Community Healthcare Workers.
Members of the media are invited to cover the picket.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
COSATU baffled by the decision to suspend former Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 24 October 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is puzzled by the decision of the Office of the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg to suspend Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, Kabelo Gwamanda. Whilst the Federation appreciates the swift action by Mayor Dada Morero, the severity of the circumstances around Gwamanda warranted immediate dismissal.
This spectacle following the arrest of Gwamanda should not be allowed to taint the integrity of the City of Johannesburg any further. His appointment as Mayor and MMC has raised pertinent questions on the vetting processes at the municipality. Background checks are mandatory in any work environment and essential in building a positive reputation of any organisation.
Speculations that have emanated since the arrest have cast a shadow on the city.
The cloud hanging over him concerning the alleged illegal funeral insurance scheme requires him to excuse himself and to resign as a public representative to allow law enforcement agencies to do their work. By removing himself, he would be demonstrating his respect for the office he occupies and honouring the rule of law.
The practice of placing public servants under suspension is costly. Residents of Johannesburg cannot afford to waste funds while officials with dubious appointments are sent home to enjoy the purse of the municipality. According to the Department of Public Service and Administration, at the end of July 2024 there were 288 public servants from national departments and 183 from provincial departments on paid suspension.
Suspending Gwamanda is equivalent to the perpetuation of this pricey practice.
COSATU Gauteng implores Mayor Dada Morero to reconsider his decision. The City of Johannesburg has suffered greatly from its history of political squabbles at the expense of the residents.
Rebuilding public confidence and restoring the dignity of the city is critical now, rather than later.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
International-Solidarity
Organising for decent work a pathway to sustainable tourism
23 Oct 2024
Organising for decent work a pathway to sustainable tourism
The Tourism Services’ Section Conference, held at the ITF Congress 2024, brought together union leaders, industry experts, and representatives from across the globe to address the challenges facing workers in the tourism sector.
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton opened the conference, highlighting the section's progress since the last congress and setting ambitious goals for the future.
“We’ve come a long way since the last congress,” said Cotton. “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the deep connection between transport and tourism. With over 40 percent of tourism workers being transport workers, our task is to build on that link and hopefully quadruple our membership in the next five years.”
A doubling of union membership within the tourism sector since the last ITF Congress in 2018 reflects a growing hunger for a collective voice and improved working conditions.
ESG and social sustainability in tourism
Author of a groundbreaking report published by the Tourism Workers’ Alliance (TWA) on World Tourism Day (27 September), Dr Anke Winchenbach joined the Tourism Conference to highlight the essential role of decent work as a precondition for developing a more
sustainable tourism industry.
TWA is a joint initiative of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Union of Food, Agriculture, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF).
The report, Why The ‘S’ In ESG Matters: Social Sustainability and Labour and Human Rights in Travel and Tourism, highlights the crucial importance of the social dimension of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards that are intended to promote more responsible practices by businesses.
ITF Tourism Services Section Chair David Massiah emphasised the importance of unions taking an active role in shaping the industry.
“This report is a tool to position unions as industry advisors and auditors,” said Massiah. “It’s the beginning of a conversation on how we engage governments, capital, and workers.” Massiah is from the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU), where tourism is estimated to contribute to 93% of the country’s GDP.
Other speakers echoed the need for stronger union engagement and collaboration. Massimo Fratini from IUF stressed the importance of campaigning to change public opinion and beyond lobbying politicians. He highlighted the climate crisis, pointing out how rising temperatures and shifting destinations could impact workers, urging cooperation with the ITF to develop joint campaigns on this urgent issue.
Praveen Singh, from the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) shared insights from India, where tourism workers face harassment and health risks. “Our unions must stand together to hold employers accountable,” Singh said.
The conference also discussed the need for ethical practices during major events, such as the FIFA World Cup. “We cannot allow a repeat of the labour abuses witnessed in Qatar,” said Maria Carmen del Donate from FeSMC-UGT, Spain introducing a motion urging that future major sports events ensure the safety and dignity of transport and tourism workers, unlike what happened in the recent World Cup in Qatar.
Elections and workplan approval
The conference approved a new work plan alongside updates to terms of reference to align with other ITF sections. David Massiah was re-elected as Chair, with Asuka Shimizu (Japan) and Carmen Donate (Spain) elected Vice-Chairs. Praveena Singh (India) was appointed
as the Women Transport Workers’ Representative.
In his closing remarks, Massiah called for unity and ambition. “We need to grow stronger, build our influence, and secure our seat at the table where key decisions are made,” he urged.
The ITF Tourism Services Section Conference reaffirmed ITF’s commitment to becoming a leading and respected force in the industry, grabbing a seat at the decision table at the global level, and ensuring workers' voices are heard and their rights protected.
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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