Taking COSATU Today Forward, 8 October 2021
Norman Mampane
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#2021YearofCosatuLocals #Back2Basics |
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
Friday, 8 October 2021
‘Deepen
the Back to Basics Campaign, Consolidate the Struggle for the NDR and Advance the Struggle for Socialism’
All workers urged to take Covid19 vaccine jabs!
Organize at every workplace and demand Personal Protective Equipment Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Vaccinate to save the economy, urges Employment and Labour Minister TW Nxesi on North West visit
- South Africa
Ø Treasury on South Africa’s anti-money laundering mutual evaluation report released by the Financial Action Task Force
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
Ø GM workers in Brazil continue to strike
- Educators of the world congratulate Maria Ressa on being awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Vaccinate to save the economy, urges Employment and Labour Minister TW Nxesi on North West visit
06 October 2021
The Department of Employment and Labour Minister T W Nxesi has urged employees and clients of the Department to heed the call by Government in the fight against COVID-19 and get vaccinated.
The Minister said this during his oversight visit to the Rustenburg Labour Centre. This forms part of his scheduled series of visits to different departmental offices across the country to monitor the quality of services offered to clients.
Minister Nxesi also aims to create a platform for clients to engage him on challenges they experience and also to get an on-site understanding of the office dynamics by engaging employees who are the Department's ground forces.
“It is important for all of us to vaccinate. Though it is voluntary, remember that when you vaccinate, you do not protect yourself only, you protect your family and those that are around you. By vaccinating you also assist in allowing the economy to fully open. Please heed the call by Government and vaccinate as early as possible and help the country to save jobs and to reduce the rate of unemployment that is continuing to increase," said the Minister.
The Minister also visited Mogwase Industrial Site and continued to urge employees to vaccinate.
The call by Minister Nxesi to urge employees to vaccinate is part of the Government's concerted efforts to help the country and the world at large to fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic which has amongst others left the economies of many countries struggling to recover.
Media enquiries:
Sabelo Mali: MLO
0827295804 or Sabel...@labour.gov.za
Or
Botsang Huma
Provincial Communications Officer (NW)
082 497 7438 or Botsan...@labour.gov.za
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
South Africa
Treasury on South Africa’s anti-money laundering mutual evaluation report released by the Financial Action Task Force
7 Oct 2021
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has today released its Mutual Evaluation Report following its assessment of South Africa’s system for anti-money laundering, counter financing of terrorism and counter financing of proliferation (AML/CFT/CPF).
The mutual evaluation of South Africa was conducted by an assessment team led by the International Monetary Fund and included officials from the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group and the FATF member countries. The assessment commenced in April 2019 and was concluded in May 2021. This is the third mutual evaluation conducted on South Africa, following those conducted in 2003 and 2009.
The FATF is an international body that promotes policies and standards for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. South Africa became a member of the FATF in 2003, and is one of 39 member countries. The members of the FATF have collectively set international standards for measures which countries should implement to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Mutual evaluations are peer reviews that are used to assess countries’ level of compliance to the AML/CFT/CPF standards, and identify steps necessary for them to increase their effectiveness. Countries undergo these evaluations at regular intervals. The findings of mutual evaluations are geared to assist member countries in strengthening their financial system, thereby enhancing the integrity of their financial system.
The report has identified significant weaknesses in parts of the country’s AML/CFT/CPF system. South Africa is expected to take remedial steps within 18 months to address deficiencies identified in the mutual evaluation report.
Cabinet was briefed on the outcomes of the assessment on 1 September 2021, and recognised the findings and weaknesses brought to the attention of the South African government. The government is fully committed to implementing the recommendations contained in the report, and strengthening the entire system for investigating financial crimes, including the fight against corruption.
National Treasury chairs an interdepartmental committee of AML/CFT/CPF that is overseeing and coordinating a comprehensive response and the follow-up actions to be taken, based on the recommendations contained in the report. National Treasury will report regularly to Cabinet on the country’s progress. The continuous strengthening of the country’s AML/CFT/CPF system is central to protecting and helping to make the financial system intolerant to abuse.
Issued by: National Treasury
International-Solidarity
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GM workers in Brazil continue to strike
8 October, 2021
Workers at General Motors’ Chevrolet-producing São Caetano do Sul plant in Brazil are on strike since 1 October after negotiations with the employer have broken down.
After the union's decision to launch the strike, a conciliation hearing was held at the regional labour court. However, no agreement was reached between the parties.
"We had no alternative but to halt operations, as their proposal did not meet our demands,"
says union president Aparecido Inácio da Silva.
Among other things, the workers are calling for a wage adjustment based on the national consumer price index (NCPI) over the past 12 months, a real wage increase of 5 per cent, a wage floor with an inflation-adjusted correction for the 2016–2021 period, and food vouchers.
They are also
demanding that the social clauses set out in the current collective employment agreement be maintained, particularly clause 42, which ensures job stability for workers with occupational illnesses.
In an attempt to end the strike that began on 1 October, the company put forward another proposal, which the workers unanimously rejected in an assembly on 4 October.
GM offered a retroactive adjustment of 10.42 per cent (total NCPI increase) from 1 September, a merit raise every six months for workers on the new pay scale, and for clause 42 of the collective employment agreement to be maintained with a change in wording. This proposal had been suggested by the regional labour court in the conciliation hearing on 1 October.
The union is still ready to negotiate and is looking for a solution to end the deadlock.
"We will stand firm until the company puts forward a satisfactory proposal that meets our list of demands,"
says Aparecido Inácio da Silva.
IndustriALL regional secretary Marino Vani says:
"We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and the union in their decision. We have to set limits or working conditions will continue to come under attack, as they have in Brazil for the past five years. We hope that the company will show a minimum of dignity towards its workers and provide concrete and satisfactory solutions so that we can bring an end to this dispute."
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Educators of the world congratulate Maria Ressa on being awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize
democracy 8 October 2021
The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded jointly to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace”. Ressa has been a friend and ally of Education International and the global teaching community, joining forces to oppose the brutal regime of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines.
Welcoming the award, David Edwards, Education International General Secretary, stated: “Maria and Rappler, the publication she leads, have faced vicious attacks for reporting the truth to the people of the Philippines. Countless bogus court cases and a vitriolic social media campaign powered by the Duterte regime have targeted her personally. Despite terrible odds and at great personal cost, Maria has been unwavering, holding the line for truth and democracy. We are delighted to see the Nobel Committee recognise her and the critical importance of her fight to us all.”
Raymond D. Basilio, Secretary General of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines and Education International Executive Board Member, stated: "We are happy and proud for the award for Ms. Ressa. This is a recognition of her deep commitment to freedom of the press and to freedom of speech. The continuous attacks against her by the current government did not stop her from fighting for what is right. She is one of our inspirations in our fight for trade union and human rights here in the Philippines."
Maria Ressa addressed the educators of the world during the 2019 Education International World Congress. Her speech highlighted her stand against disinformation in the Philippines and provided precious insights into the mechanisms of propaganda on social media and what is at stake in the fight for truth: democracy, freedom of speech, and the very futures of our societies.
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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