Taking COSATU Today Forward, 6 September 2021
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #COSATU holds Swaziland Global Week of Action #Solidarity #DemocracyNow |
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
Monday, 6 September 2021
‘Deepen
the Back to Basics Campaign, Consolidate the Struggle
for the NDR and Advance the Struggle for Socialism’
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Fight against intransigence of employers who do not register workers with UIF at all workplaces!
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We
shall overcome!
Contents
o Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Swaziland: Weeklong Global Week of Action programme
Ø Employment and Labour on Butterworth Labour Centre relocates to new premises
- SAMWU to oppose Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s appeal
o South Africa
Ø Employment and Labour on implementation and enforcement of the new Employment Equity Act
- Business, labour and government in a bid to promote productivity
o International-Workers’ Solidarity!
Ø IndustriALL calls on Thai government to stop persecuting union leader
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Swaziland: Weeklong Global Week of Action programme
Zanele Matebula, COSATU Deputy International Secretary, 6 September 2021
The week 06 - 10 September 2021 marks the Global Week of Action on Swaziland. The weeklong action is a continuation of the Swaziland Democracy Campaign for genuine social and political transformation initiated by COSATU and other progressive forces within and outside Eswatini.
The below constitute a series of activities aimed at uniting the democratic movements in Swaziland and mobilizing support across the world. Other meeting links will be send in due course.
COSATU International Seminar – 6 September 2021 ( 14h00-16h00)
THEME: Swaziland Independence Day For Who? – Talks about Justice, Human Rights, Despotic Rule, and Solidarity a Roadmap to Change
Moment of Silence for the Fallen Comrades
Each Speaker has 10 minutes
Discussions will be open for 20min
Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks 10 min
- Programme Director – COSATU
- Opening and Purpose of Seminar – Zanele Matebula
- Opening Address – COSATU NOB
- Quinton Dlamini – TUCOSWA President
- Political Party Rep
- Mass Democratic Movement Representative ( Multi-stakeholders Rep)
- United Eswatini Diaspora
- SACP\SSN – Solly Mapaila (TBC)
- Abner Mosase – ANC Sub Com on IR, Eswatini Emergency Response Team
- Bongani Masuku – COSATU Secretariat Coordinator
- Joel Akhator Odigie – ITUC Africa DGS
- Discussions
- Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks
- Closure
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nehawu-org-za.zoom.us/j/81080921378?pwd=ZmtXcHo5VjVDajNnc0RnRUlRZ292dz09
Meeting ID: 810 8092 1378
Passcode: 677801
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Global Seminar Convened by Global Swazi Lives Matter - Diaspora – 6 September 2021 ( 17:30)
Global Lecture #53YearsASlave
Draft Programme
- Welcome remarks (SLMGSL Convenor Qhawekazi
- Opening Prayer for massacre victims and political prisoners (Pastor)
- Word of Solidarity from Diasporas
- SA Chapter
- Taiwan Diaspora
- Europe Chapter
- Swazi Canadian Diaspora Network
- USA Diaspora
- Political Assembly Rep
- Message of Solidarity from Civil Society in SA and the world
- Students
- Women movements
- Trade Union solidarity messages
- TUCOSWA – Quinton Dlamini - President
- COSATU – Bheki Ntshalintshali (TBC)
- NUMSA
- ITUC – Africa – Kwasi Adu Amankwah – General Secretary
- Stories from victims
- Solidarity Fund
- Introduction of our main Speaker—Hleli Luhlanga (Canada)
- Main Speaker Beatrice Mtetwa
- Word of thanks—Saneliswa (USA Chapter)
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Young Workers International Seminar Programme - 7th September 2021 (14h00)
THEME: Swaziland Massacre, Police Brutality and Civil Unrest: What Does Independence Day Mean to Young People in Swaziland?
Chairperson: Cde Xolani Fakude (National Coordinator of COSATU Young Workers Forum)
Moment of Silence for the Fallen Comrades
- Purpose of the meeting and introduction of speakers: Xolani Fakude 14:00- 14:10
- Cde Siyabonga Nkotwana - KZN Young Workers Convener, Member of ANC
Subcommittee on International Relations. 14:10- 14:30
- Cde Sthembiso Simelane - Chairperson; TUCOSWA Youth Committee. 14:30- 14:50
- Cde Mduduzi /Sonke Dube - SWAYOCO. 14:50- 15:10
- Cde Rebone Tau - ANC IR member, Political Analyst. 15:10- 15:30
- Questions of Clarity 15:30- 15:45
- Discussions 15:45- 15:55
- Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks (Cde Xolani Fakude). 15:55 -16:00
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82887299920
Meeting ID: 828 8729 9920
Passcode: 172434
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Virtual Memorial Co Hosted with United Eswatini Diaspora 7 September ( 18h00-19h30)
Paying Tribute to the Victims of Repression and Police Brutality Under the Directive of the Despotic Regime of Mswati III
Program
- Welcome & Opening
- Prayer
- Short Video Testimony (Victim)
- Speaker from United Eswatini Diaspora
- Deceased Family members speak (3 families)
- Speaker from COSATU – Zanele Matebula – Deputy International Secretary
- Multi stakeholder Speaker
- Youth & Women Reps
- Song (Flighting of Names of Pictures of the Fallen-Martyrs)
- Vote of Thanks
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Employment and Labour on Butterworth Labour Centre relocates to new premises
2 Sep 2021
The Department of Employment and Labour’s Igcuwa (Butterworth) Labour Centre this week moved to new premises.
The long-awaited move has been overdue as the labour centre was renting a building in a secluded area of Butterworth which was not easily accessible to the public. The new building which is 100 % disability friendly and compliant in terms Occupational Health and Safety standards was handed over by Department of Public Works in August 2021.
The address for the new premises is Erf 9369, Corner Blyth & Robinson Street, Igcuwa (Butterworth).
The Department of Employment and Labour remains committed in providing all its services; such as Inspection and Enforcement Services which has inspectors who are responsible for enforcing compliance with labour legislation, Public Employment Services which assist work seekers with employment opportunities, Unemployment Insurance Fund responsible for UIF claims and Compensation Fund, a unit that assists with injuries on duty.
Butterworth Labour Centre is operating every weekday, Monday to Friday from 07h30 – 16h00.
For
more information, please contact:
Ziphozihle Josefu - Provincial Communication Officer
Cell: 082 308 6306
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
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SAMWU to oppose Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s appeal
Thobani Mkhize, SAMWU Inkosi Langalibalele Local Secretary, 02 September 2021
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has noted with disappointment a letter from the Inkosi Langalibalele’s Municipal Manager, P.S Mkhize making know the municipality’s intentions to appeal the outcomes of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) exemption committee which rejected the municipality’s application to be exempted from the salary and wage collective agreement that was signed in 2018.
According to the 2018 collective agreement, municipal workers in the institution were supposed to receive a salary and wage increment of 6,25% as of July 2020. Instead of paying workers their increases, the municipality rushed to the SALGBC pleading poverty as one of the reasons why they would not be able to honour the collective agreement.
Of great concern to us is that workers in the municipality have not received a salary or wage increase since 2019, after compromise was reached between workers and the institution that municipal workers will forego their 2019 increases when the employer pleaded poverty as a reason for not being in a position to honour the agreement.
When we announced the outcomes of the SALGBC’s exemption committee last week, workers were excited that after enduring two years of no salary or wage increase, they would finally be getting increases which they are contractually entitled to.
The municipality has however decided to burst that bubble by making known their intentions to appeal the decisions. This will undoubtedly add to the low workers moral amongst municipal workers who have had to endure the hardships of the increased cost of living in 2021 with a salary of 2018.
The very same employer who continually denies workers their salary increases has increased municipal tariffs, rates and taxes and expect workers to keep up with their payments to the municipality with a salary of 2018.
As SAMWU, we are convinced that the SALGBC has reached a correct decision in rejecting the exemption application of the municipality. We are very confident that there is no logical Court or appeals committee that would reach a conclusion different to that of the SALGBC’s exception committee.
We will therefore be opposing the the municipality’s appeal on this matter in the interest of our members who have been denied a salary increase for 2 years. We further want to take this opportunity to thank our members for having have diligently continued delivering services to the residents of Inkosi Langalibalele despite being shown the middle finger by the municipal management, this too shall pass.
Issued by SAMWU Inkosi Langalibalele Local
South Africa
Employment and Labour on implementation and enforcement of the new Employment Equity Act
2 Sep 2021
Amendment of the EE Bill enters the last leg as the Department of Employment and Labour gears for sector-targets era
The Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Equity (EE) Directorate is gearing itself for the implementation and enforcement of the new EE Act once the parliamentary processes are finalised by March 2022.
The Director: Employment Equity, Ntsoaki Mamashela said now that Parliament has resumed after recess – hopes that the processing of the EE bill will be expedited are high.
The EE Bill is expected to soon go to the National Council of Provinces for consideration.
The Amendment of the EE Act of 1998 is intended:
· To reduce the regulatory burden on small business
· Empower the Employment and Labour Minister to regulate sector specific EE numerical
· To promulgate section 53 of the EEA for the issuing of the EE Compliance Certificate.
Mamashela today addressed the start of a series of EE national workshops by the department to update on the EE amendments and EE sector targets. The initial workshop was targeting stakeholders in Limpopo Province.
“The expected introduction of five-year sector targets will mark the beginning of a clean slate. All current EE plans will fall away in 22 September 2022 and the new plans will have to be aligned with five-year targets. Self-regulation has not worked,” she said.
Mamashela said further sector engagements which started in 2019 on sector targets will continue. These have already been held with sectors such as mining, financial & business services, wholesale & retail, and construction. By June 30, 2021, the department had engaged with all 18 economic sectors and concluded an agreement with the financial and business services sector.
She added that the department was currently busy with the analysis of the written submissions in response to the proposed sector EE targets from the remaining 17 sectors with the view of conducting follow-up engagements in an attempt to reach consensus.
“It is envisaged that the sector engagements will be concluded by February 2022 with proposed targets,” she said.
The Department’s annual employment equity workshops are being held through Virtual Microsoft Teams in each of the nine provinces under the theme: “Real transformation makes business sense”.
The workshops will run until 28 September 2021 between 10:00 and 13h00.
The programme of this year’s workshops is on:
· Respective provincial EE status;
· Update on EE Amendments and EE Sector targets;
· How to access copies of the EEA2 Online by completing EEA11 form, including 2021 EE reporting; and
· EE inspections and enforcement in the labour market.
The workshops are targeted at: employers and their employers’ organisations; human resources executives and practitioners; EE Forum members; assigned senior managers/transformation managers, academics; employees and trade unions; labour relations practitioners; and civil society organisations among others.
The schedule for the remaining planned virtual workshops is as follows:
· Free State – Thursday, 02 September 2021
· KwaZulu-Natal – Tuesday, 07 September 2021
· Eastern Cape – Wednesday, 08 September 2021
· Western Cape – Tuesday, 14 September 2021
· Gauteng – Wednesday, 16 September 2021
· Northern Cape – Tuesday, 21 September 2021
· North West – Wednesday, 22 September 2021
· Mpumalanga – Tuesday, 28 September 2021
Media enquiries:
Musa Zondi
Cell: 067 426 4190
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
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Business, labour and government in a bid to promote productivity
02 September 2021
In a unique webinar, business, labour and government will come together to find ways to improve productivity in the clothing manufacturing industry. The entity tasked with promoting productivity and employment growth in South Africa, Productivity SA, the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry (NBCCMI)’s Productivity and Training Institute (PTI) will host a knowledge sharing session conducted in the form of a webinar that will bring union members and business owners together in a bid to improve industry productivity and sustainability.
The webinar is organised through Productivity SA’s business Turnaround and Recovery Programme (BT&R) which is aimed at preventing job losses, in this instance focusing on the backdrop of Covid-19 business distress and the recent unrest which affected several sector businesses.
The BT&R programme implements turnaround strategies to support distressed companies facing operational difficulties which may result in them contemplating retrenchments. The programme is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
Productivity SA has run the programme for almost two decades and in the process has facilitated the prevention of jobs losses in South African companies.
Members of the media are invited to the webinar as follows:
• Date: Wednesday 08 September 2021
• Time: 10h00 - 11h30
For More information, please contact:
Mr. Maupi Monyemangene
Media Liaison Officer; Productivity SA
Telephone +27 (0) 11 848 5397/ 082 447 3232
International-Solidarity
IndustriALL calls on Thai government to stop persecuting union leader
2 September, 2021
Thai police is using the Emergency Decree and the Disease Control Act to investigate the president of Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation of Thailand (TWFT), Sia Jampathong, and three labour activists, Suthila Leunkam, Tanaporn Wijan and Sriprai Nonsee, after they participated in pro-democracy rallies.
Irregularities in Thailand’s general election in 2019, and the subsequent forced dissolution of an opposition party by the constitutional court, resulted in mass protests. The ensuing youth uprising in Mid-2020 drew international attention to the pro-democracy movement in the country.
The four labour activists were summoned by the police for speaking at rallies organized by the student movements between February and August this year. They are associated with the Labour Network for People's Rights, a network formed in 2020 to demand that the Thai government stops harassing people participating in pro-democracy protests, dissolves parliament, starts drafting a new constitution, and institutionalizes a comprehensive welfare scheme to reduce class inequality.
The labour network has also joined students in criticizing the government for mismanaging the Covid-19 pandemic and delaying the distribution of vaccines to the people.
Together with its affiliate, IndustriALL Global Union and the Confederation of Industrial Labour of Thailand (CILT) calls on Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha to stop persecuting labour activists participating in pro-democracy protests.
Prasit Prasopsuk, CILT president says:
“We condemn the government for using laws to attack labour leaders’ democratic rights. It is unacceptable that the government suppresses workers’ freedom of expression, especially the failure in managing the Covid-19 and delaying the vaccinations that has caused a large number of deaths. The harassment must end immediately.”
In a letter to the Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, IndustriALL general secretary Valter Sanches says:
“The Emergency Decree and the Disease Control Act are being misused to suppress people participating in pro-democracy rallies. IndustriALL calls on the government of Thailand to guarantee the right of people to participate in peaceful demonstrations, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and respect of international core labour standards.”
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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