Taking COSATU Today Forward, 23 January 2026 #CosatuRedFridays
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu acknowledges workers and community members who honoured the candlelit/memorial service at Vanderbijlpark road crash scene #RoadSafety #Back2School #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
23 January 2026
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Update on a meeting held with the Minister of Health
- South Africa
- Employment and Labour on closing compliance gaps and expanding worker protections across key sectors
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Human and labour rights under attack in Iran
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Update on a meeting held with the Minister of Health
January 22, 2026
Dear
Member
The South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) engaged in discussions with the Minister of Health and his delegation. The SAMATU delegation included the National Office Bearers, as well as the Chairperson
and Deputy Chairperson of the Junior Doctors Committee.
The primary focus of the meeting was the pressing issue of unemployment among doctors, particularly those who completed their community service in 2024 and 2025. The extensive discussions led to the following agreements,
with both parties committed to collaborating to address the challenges within the profession:
- All interns and community service doctors who have applied and have not yet been placed must submit their names to SAMATU for urgent intervention.
- A total of 1,200 posts have been created for the 2024 post-community service doctors, utilizing funds allocated in October 2025. Provinces are actively working to fill these positions, with ongoing feedback provided.
The department has identified 1,891 posts for the cohort that completed their community service in 2025. The process for their employment will commence once the treasury confirms the budget allocation, which is anticipated
by the end of January 2026.
To ensure effective implementation and monitoring, both parties have agreed to reconvene in the first week of February 2026 to assess progress and determine further necessary interventions.
All members from the 2024 cohort are encouraged to keep SAMATU updated regarding their placement status, as this will aid in maintaining accurate records.
Employment and Labour on closing compliance gaps and expanding worker protections across key sectors
22 Jan 2026
The Department of Employment and Labour has officially withdrawn the 2003 Variation Notice that previously excluded the application of Section 34A of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which governs the payment of employee benefit fund contributions.
This withdrawal restores the authority of labour inspectors to enforce the timely payment of pension, provident fund, retirement, and medical aid contributions deducted from workers' salaries. For many years, the exemption created a significant enforcement gap, leaving workers, particularly in the security sector and municipalities, exposed to employers who deducted contributions but failed to transfer them to the appropriate funds. With the exemption now removed, inspectors are empowered to verify whether employers have paid contributions into the correct funds, request proof of payment and contribution schedules, and take enforcement action wherever non‑compliance is detected. This intervention strengthens workplace‑level accountability and provides enhanced protection for workers' hard‑earned benefits.
In addition, the Minister of Employment and Labour has published a notice signalling the Department's intention to classify performers and crew members in the film, television, advertising, artistic, and cultural sectors as employees. Many individuals in these sectors are currently labelled as independent contractors despite working under conditions similar to traditional employment.
The initiative seeks to extend essential labour rights to these workers, including access to sick leave, maternity leave, severance pay, protection under the National Minimum Wage, coverage through the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, and compliance with BCEA provisions such as working hours, termination procedures, and record‑keeping. It also ensures that performers receive rights related to fixed‑term contracts under the Labour Relations Act.
This proposed reform responds to strong stakeholder submissions and acknowledges the vulnerability of performers and production staff who frequently operate without basic protections. The Department has confirmed that this process may culminate in a sectoral determination tailored specifically to the industry's needs. Stakeholders have 30 days from the date of publication to provide written submissions, and the Minister has requested the National Minimum Wage Commission to investigate wage and employment conditions in the sector.
Together, these regulatory measures mark a clear step forward in advancing decent work in South Africa. They demonstrate a renewed commitment to closing compliance gaps, protecting vulnerable workers, and ensuring that employers across all industries uphold the country's labour laws.
The actions reinforce the Department's dedication to promoting fairness in the workplace, supporting a more equitable labour market, ensuring accountability among employers, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all workers.
For media inquiries, kindly contact:
Petunia
Lessing
Director: Media Liaison
Cell: 066 301 4645
E-mail: petunia...@labour.gov.za
Issued by Department of Employment and Labour
International-Solidarity
Human and labour rights under attack in Iran
22 January, 2026
IndustriALL Global Union condemns the escalating violence against largely peaceful protesters in Iran, alongside the total shutdown of the internet and social media that has cut the country off from the outside world.
The communications blackout is being used to conceal serious human rights’ violations, silence workers’ voices and prevent
documentation of abuses. Restoring full access to the internet and independent communications is an urgent and legitimate demand of the protests.
Since late December, demonstrations driven by a deepening economic crisis, soaring inflation and collapsing livelihoods have spread rapidly across the country. Protesters have faced extreme repression, including the use of military grade ammunition and heavy
weaponry in urban areas. Reports from inside Iran, despite the blackout, indicate mass arrests, widespread injuries and a rising death toll. The use of lethal force against people exercising their fundamental rights to protest and strike is unacceptable and
must end immediately.
The detention and imprisonment of people for participating in protests is another grave violation. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political detainees arrested for taking part in demonstrations are fully justified. No one should be
deprived of their rights and freedoms because they have spoken out against poverty, injustice or corruption.
The blackout itself constitutes a serious violation of the right to information and freedom of expression. Cutting off internet and phone services not only isolates the population but also places lives at further risk by preventing access to emergency services,
independent news and international scrutiny. An internet shutdown is not a security measure; it is a tool to hide crimes.
Alongside condemning the violence and repression, IndustriALL reiterates core labour and human rights demands. Iranian authorities must fully implement the provisions of the International Labour Organization conventions 87 and 98, which guarantee freedom of
association, collective bargaining and trade union rights. The Islamic Republic of Iran must recognize the right of workers to strike in defence of fair wages and humane conditions of service.
The current economic crisis has pushed millions into poverty. Iran must set a minimum wage at a level that allows workers and their families to afford food, housing and essential utilities, ensuring a dignified standard of living for all. Policies that entrench
inequality while protecting elite privilege have fuelled widespread anger and must be reversed.
IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan, said:
“Iranian workers and citizens are legitimately demanding dignity, justice and a voice in shaping their today and future. The use of violence against them is unacceptable and all those detained for exercising their rights must be released immediately. Iran must respect international labour standards, recognize the right to strike and ensure wages that allow workers and their families to live in dignity. IndustriALL Global Union stresses that the future course of developments in Iran is the sole preserve of its people.”
IndustriALL stands in solidarity with the people and workers of Iran. The demands being raised for an end to violence, for freedom of communication, for the release of detainees, for basic labour rights and for economic justice are legitimate and rooted in
universal human dignity. The international community must not remain silent in the face of repression carried out behind a wall of digital darkness.
______________________________
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