Taking COSATU Today Forward, 117 November 2025 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary

[Norman Mampane]

 

COSATU TODAY #Cosatu launches #VioletSeboniBrigade to mobilise communities in Soweto for #Cosatu40thAnniversary #COP30noBrasil#JustTransition #Cosatu scheduled to hold its 40th Anniversary at Dobsonville, Soweto on December 6 #Cosatu@40 #Cosatu40thAnniversary #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

17 November 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!

• Applications for media accreditation to cover COSATU 40^th Anniversary rally officially opened

• COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40^th anniversary

• South Africa
• COSATU welcomes registration of domestic workers union
• Statement on the Special Provincial Council of the SACP in KwaZulu-Natal
• International-Workers’ Solidarity!
• ILO at COP30-Belém, Brazil - 10 to 21 November 2025
• Indonesia: ITUC urges President to strengthen democracy and trade union rights
• Eurof stands in solidarity with UD CGT Nord and its secretary, Jean-Paul Delescaut, who has been accused of solidarity.

Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics  

Applications for media accreditation to cover COSATU 40^th Anniversary rally officially opened

Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson,10 November 2025

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) invites all members of the media to apply for accreditation to attend and cover the Federation’s historic 40^th Anniversary rally. This momentous event is scheduled to take place on 6 December at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

COSATU was launched on 1 December 1985, at the height of the struggle against apartheid. Its formation brought together 33 competing unions and federations that were opposed to apartheid but committed to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa. 

Alliance partners, local and international guests have been invited to celebrate 40 years of this vibrant movement advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers and the working class in South Africa and beyond. 

Applications for accreditation may be submitted to mam...@cosatu.org.za or non...@cosatu.org.za with the following details:

Name:
Surname:
ID number: 
Media House/Address:
Contact number/email: 

Alternatively, an application form can be completed via this link:

COSATU 40th Anniversary Media Accreditation Application Form – Fill out form

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (National Spokesperson)

Mobile:  079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za

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COSATU to host lectures in the lead up to 40^th anniversary

Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 25 September 2025

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set the host a series of lectures in the lead up to its 40^th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December.

 

The culmination of four years of unity talks, COSATU came into being on 1 December 1985, and brought together 33 competing unions and federations opposed to apartheid and whose common goal was to bring about a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.

 

The Federation has been at the forefront of advancing, defending and protecting the interests and rights of workers since, and has led in the formation of the country’s progressive labour laws including workers’ rights to form trade unions, collective bargaining and to strike, minimum conditions of service, National Minimum Wage, etc.

 

From its vehement resistance of apartheid to the ushering in of the democratic dispensation and improving the economic and social wellbeing of the working class 31 years post democracy, COSATU has stood the test of time.

 

In the lead up to its 40^th anniversary in December, the Federation will host a variety of activities starting with a series of lectures by its National Office Bearers.

 

The lectures will tackle diverse subjects from COSATU’s pivotal role in gender struggles to the strike that broke the back of industry-wide exploitative labour practices as far back as 1959.  

 

Province: North-West
Date: 19 November

Topic: Strengthening Industrial Unions to build a militant COSATU        

Main Speaker: Duncan Luvuno, COSATU 2nd Deputy President

Province: Eastern Cape
Date: 20 November

Topic: COSATU and the Reconfiguration of the Alliance      

Main Speaker: Gerald Twala, COSATU Deputy General Secretary

Province: Gauteng
Date: 21 November

Topic: COSATU and the Mass Democratic Movement 

Main Speaker: Zingiswa Losi, COSATU President 

 

Issued by COSATU

South Africa

COSATU welcomes registration of domestic workers union

Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 16 November 2025

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes two newly registered unions merely a month before it celebrates its 40^th anniversary. The most recent, the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) officially registered with the Registrar of Labour Relations on 6 November.

 

The South African Taxi Drivers Workers Union (SATDWU) registered three days prior on 3 November. Both were assisted and guided through the registration process by COSATU. Whilst SATDWU represents thousands of taxi drivers, SADSAWU represents domestic workers.

 

Like taxi drivers, domestic workers, estimated at nearly one million, are among the most vulnerable workers in the country. Women make up 92% of the domestic workforce according to the recently released Sweepsouth annual report. The report also found that although domestic workers are among the workers targeted for the National Minimum Wage (NMW), 39% of domestic workers earn less than the NMW.

 

Social protection in the form of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Compensation Fund was extended to include domestic workers only in 2023. It’s not unusual for a domestic worker to have more than one part-time employer at a time. However, if the employer engages the services of the domestic worker for more than 24 hours a month, that employer must register the worker for UIF and the Compensation Fund.

 

COSATU is heartened by progress it has made in negotiations at Nedlac to ensure that taxi drivers, domestic workers and other vulnerable and atypical workers are covered by our progressive labour laws and insurance funds and able to exercise their hard-won rights, including collective bargaining.

 

Enforcement of NMW and registration with the two funds remains a challenge. Some employers are not aware they have to comply; some simply refuse to comply and others will go as far as accusing workers who got injured on duty of lying because the employer was not home to witness the incident when it occurred. In addition, domestic workers are difficult to access because they work in private homes; this also presents a challenge when trying to organise them due to restricted access. Getting members to join the union in numbers despite these impediments is one of the pitfalls SADSAWU will have to overcame to ensure it represents and advances the rights and interests of domestic workers.

 

COSATU will continue to work together with SADSAWU to ensure it achieves its mission of ensuring domestic workers’ rights are respected and protected like all other workers.  

Issued by COSATU

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Statement on the Special Provincial Council of the SACP in KwaZulu-Natal

Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information, 15 November 2025

The South African Communist Party (SACP) convened a Special Provincial Council in the Moses Mabhida province of the SACP (KwaZulu Natal) today 15 of November 2025. The meeting was convened as a consequence of the recent decisions of the Political Bureau of the SACP relating to the strengthening of the SACP as an organisation and implementation of its decisions. Having discussed extensively the state of the SACP, looking at strengths and weaknesses of various structures and leadership structures of the Party, the Political Bureau decided, among others, to disband the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the SACP in Moses Mabhida as one of the measures to revitalise the organisation.

The Special Council was called to communicate the decision of the Political Bureau to disband the PEC of Moses Mabhida province following its inability to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities and carry out its leadership political task of the organisation in the province. The Council was called, consequently, to brief our members on a leadership core appointed to lead the province as an interim intervention in the absence of a PEC. The SACP, in keeping with its democratic and popular tradition, intended through the Special Council to engage the structures of the Party in the province on the organisational processes that had ensued in the Political Bureau and subsequent meetings as well as other organisational processes to ensue following the Political Bureau and its decisions, including the decision to disband the Moses Mabhida provincial leadership structure.

The Special Provincial Council was, however, disrupted by certain individuals who clearly do not share the principles of loyalty to Party decisions, unity of the Party, and the full implementation of Party decisions. These forces are part of a reactionary and opportunistic tendency rooted in careerism that the movement continues to address, and indeed the SACP is not unaffected by this tendency. Out of concern for the safety of Party members and public property, the leadership of the Party determined that the Council must not proceed as planned and that the communication of the Political Bureau decisions intended to be communicated be conducted through alternative means. The validity and enforceability of the decisions of the Party, particularly those of the Political Bureau regarding the status of the Provincial Executive Committee of KwaZulu-Natal, remain unchanged and in full constitutional force and political authority.

The leadership thus, following the disruption of the Special Provincial Council, held a meeting with the chairpersons and secretaries of all districts to share key information and to chart a way forward to reach our structures in communicating our decisions. To that end, the following comrades have been appointed as the provincial interim leadership core (PILC) responsible for overseeing the affairs of the SACP in Moses Mabhida and take the province to a congress following a specific programme:

Interim Secretary: Skhumbuzo Mdlalose

Interim Chairperson: Zakhele Cele

Interim Treasurer: Jeff Dladla

Interim Deputy Chairperson: Logishnee Naicker

Political and Ideological Education Coordinator: Tyron Terrence

Election Coordinator: Mazwi Ngubane

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS

1. Mandlakhe Ngobe

2. Zama Zindela

3. Nthabeleng Molefe

4. Muzikayise Zakwe

5. Ncebakazi Malima

6. Minah Lesoma

7. Yogan Moodley

8. Nomalungelo Gina

9. Khumbulani Xaba

10. Pevin Vedan

11. Sandile Dayi

12. Phumlani Mthembu

13. Sifiso Silicone Ndlovu

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,

FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID

International-Solidarity   

ILO at COP30-Belém, Brazil - 10 to 21 November 2025

ILO Key messages
At COP30, the ILO acts as a UN observer, providing technical advice and sharing knowledge to align ambitious climate action with decent work promotion and social justice advancement.

ILO key messages
The ILO and European Commission are set to co-host the Just Transition Pavilion at COP30
https://www.ilo.org/topics-and-sectors/just-transition-towards-environmentally-sustainable-economies-and-societies/ilo-cop30#key

https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/ilo-and-european-commission-are-set-co-host-just-transition-pavilion-cop30

For governments, communities, workers, and businesses, just transition is a vehicle to empower the world of work to protect livelihoods and drive equitable progress. It offers the possibility of thriving economies that are low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive.

A just transition for all is fundamental to create more and better jobs, foster sustainable enterprises of all types and sizes, and expand decent work opportunities, while ensuring that workers and employers play a key role in advancing climate action.

Ambitious climate action through a just transition…
Ensures inclusion through social dialogue and uniting diverse stakeholders.
Upholds labour rights and International Labour Standards.
Delivers more and better jobs powered by a diversity of sustainable enterprises.
Strengthens resilience through universal social protection and occupational safety and health.
Equips everyone with skills and prepares workers and businesses for the future.
Fosters policy coherence to drive employment and develop new industries.
Aligns climate investments with social objectives to create decent work.

__________________

Indonesia: ITUC urges President to strengthen democracy and trade union rights

15 November 2025

Greater efforts to strengthen democracy in the region, enhanced democratic trade union rights and improved social dialogue were among the key demands of the ITUC General Secretary in a meeting this week with the President of Indonesia.

Luc Triangle and Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific, met with President Prabowo Subianto to discuss recent, concerning developments affecting workers’ rights and democratic institutions in the country and across the region.

“We welcome the willingness of the President to engage in dialogue and listen to the concerns of trade unions. However, words must be followed by action.”ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle

“The protection of fundamental workers’ rights, the promotion of inclusive social dialogue, and a firm commitment to democratic institutions are essential not just for Indonesia, but for the region. We expect the Indonesian government to play a leadership role in defending democracy, particularly in relation to Myanmar.

“We will closely monitor how social dialogue develops, especially around the new labour law.”

The government is currently reviewing labour law reforms following the court victory by Indonesian Trade Unions to restrict its controversial ‘Omnibus Law’.

Luc Triangle and Shoya Yoshida underlined other key priorities during the meeting:

Tax reforms to support public investment in healthcare, education and social protection.

Respect for international labour standards in labour law reforms, including the rights to organise and bargain collectively.

Full participation of independent trade unions in social dialogue.

Regional leadership from Indonesia to exert pressure on the military junta in Myanmar to restore democracy and end oppression.

The ITUC reaffirmed its commitment to support its three Indonesian affiliates – KSPI/CITU, KSPSI and KSBSI – in their mission for decent work, rights and democracy.

_________________

Eurof stands in solidarity with UD CGT Nord and its secretary, Jean-Paul Delescaut, who has been accused of solidarity.

BY CENTRAL WFTU, 13 NOV 2025

On Tuesday, 2 December, the Douai Court of Appeal will hear the case against the Union Départementale CGT Nord (UD CGT Nord) and its general secretary, Jean-Paul Delescaut. He was sentenced to one year in prison for expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are victims of genocide perpetrated by the terrorist state of Israel.

Attempts are being made throughout Europe to restrict freedom of expression and trade union freedoms by equating them with terrorism. This is an attempt to prevent the growing mass mobilisations throughout Europe and around the world. The WFTU is at the forefront of these mobilisations, denouncing the ongoing genocide and supporting trade union activists and workers who are being prosecuted for showing solidarity.

The WFTU European office invites and urges all member organisations to express their support for the UD CGT Nord and its general secretary, and reiterates its call for them to attend the trial at the Douai Court on 2 December.

Solidarity cannot be put on trial.

Touchone, touchall!

______________________________

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

 

 

 

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