Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 9 September 2025 #CosatuCC2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #Cosatu scheduled to convene its ordinary 8th Central Committee next week, at Benoni #CosatuCC2025 #WorkerControl #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘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
9 September 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU presented its submission on the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill to Parliament today
- Media Alert: Media accreditation applications for COSATU's 8th Central Committee officially open
- South Africa
- COSATU cautiously welcomes the 0.8% GDP quarterly growth rate
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- The World Federation of Trade Unions calls for a global solidarity week with the heroic people of Palestine.
- Global unions demand recognition of Palestine
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU presented its submission on the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill to Parliament today
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 09 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) presented its submission on the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill (RLAB) to Parliament’s Select Committee: Finance today.
The RLAB provides for various administrative amendments required by the Two Pot Pension Reforms.
COSATU is pleased with the success of the Two Pot Pension Reforms, first proposed by the Federation in 2020 and supported by government led by the African National Congress and that came into effect on 1 September 2024.
To date, over R56 billion has been released to more than 3.5 million struggling workers, enabling them to pay down debt and manage other pressing financial crises without needing to resign from their jobs or cash out their entire pension funds.
The Federation submitted the following urgent proposed amendments to the RLAB to Parliament and Treasury for the next phase of the Two Pot Pension Reforms:
- Ensure that workers who lose their jobs are able to access their full savings, including their preservation pot; so they can save their homes, cars and other belongings; and take care of their families whilst looking for work.
- Enable workers to transfer funds from their vested rights pot to their preservation and savings pots; enabling them to tap into greater relief to settle debt and other financial emergencies whilst simultaneously boosting savings.
- Explore ways to lower the tax burden on low-income workers, in particular those below the income tax threshold and in lower tax brackets.
- Allow workers to utilise savings for education fees as this is this an investment in their and their children’s career path, earning potential and retirement savings.
- Capacitate the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to set caps on fees charged by pension funds on their members.
COSATU trusts that its proposals, which will provide decisive help to millions of struggling and highly indebted workers, will be embraced by Parliament and Treasury.
These are urgent and substantial matters that have been discussed extensively over the past few years at Parliament. Workers, their families and communities are in desperate need of support.
It is critical that Parliament and Treasury respond decisively to their calls for help.
Issued by COSATU
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Media Alert: Media accreditation applications for COSATU's 8th Central Committee officially open
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 08 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will convene its 8th Central Committee meeting on the 15th -18th of September.
Held under the theme: “Building working-class unity for economic liberation towards socialism”, the four-day event will bring together around 400 members from the Federation’s affiliates, labour service organisations and international guests to amongst others, review the implementation of resolutions adopted at the previous Congress, provide political direction and focus on organisational issues ahead of the National Congress next year.
COSATU President Zingiswa Losi will deliver the keynote address with messages of support from the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 15-18 September 2025
Venue: Anew OR Tambo Hotel (formerly The Lakes Hotel, Benoni, Ekurhuleni)
All members of the media are invited to attend, and are encouraged to apply for accreditation to cover the event.
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:
https://forms.office.com/r/Yhyb5S6h59
Issued by COSATU
Zanele
Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 or 077 600 6639
Email: zan...@cosatu.org.za
COSATU cautiously welcomes the 0.8% GDP quarterly growth rate
Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, 09 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) cautiously welcomes the 0.8% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for 2025’s second quarter. This is a positive shift from first quarter’s depressing 0.1%.
We are pleased by the 1.8% increase in manufacturing, 1.7% in trade and hospitality and especially 3.7% in mining and quarry. We are worried by the decrease in construction by 0.3% against the backdrop of government’s massive allocation of R1 trillion for infrastructure investments over the next three years.
Whilst appreciating this good news, we fear it may be temporary given the United States’ 30% tariff hike on South African exports (barring minerals) and the devastating impact it may have on local industries and jobs, in particular agriculture and manufacturing. We are similarly deeply concerned by the impact increasingly unaffordable electricity is having upon mining, manufacturing, agriculture and other key economic sectors.
If the economy is to begin generating permanent, decent jobs and reduce our dangerously high 42.9% unemployment rate, then South Africa needs to reach an annual GDP growth rate of 3%. This must be government and the nation’s priority. Key interventions that COSATU will continue to push for with government and business at Nedlac and in Parliament include:
- Additional support to Eskom and municipalities to place electricity on a more affordable level.
- Ramping up interventions at Transnet to ensure mining, manufacturing and agricultural goods can reach their markets timeously.
- Accelerating the reopening of Metro Rail lines to enable workers to arrive at work on time and boost the urban economy.
- Expanding public employment programmes in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement to provide a path to the labour market for millions of young people.
- Drastically expanded financing for SMMEs, industrial and export sectors, from both public and private financial institutions.
- Targeted financial and tax relief as well as support from the Unemployment Insurance Fund for struggling companies, in particular those affected by electricity prices and US tariff hikes.
- A mass buy locally produced goods campaign by the state, businesses and consumers to save and sustain local jobs and companies.
Our economy remains under severe strain but has the capacity if government, business, labour and community work together to overcome these challenges and to exploit the green shoots.
COSATU will be requesting government to establish a war room of key persons from government and social partners to ensure that such a bold and progressive intervention package is put in place to rebuild public and municipal services, unlock economic growth, create decent jobs and slash poverty.
Issued by COSATU
International-Solidarity
The World Federation of Trade Unions calls for a global solidarity week with the heroic people of Palestine.
9 September 2025
The ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the continuous ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the murderous Zionist state of Israel, the use of hunger as a weapon of war, the expansion of its terrorist activities in the West Bank with murders, arrests, and displacement of Palestinians from their historic land, are actions that create aversion in global public opinion and are in clear conflict with every notion of humanity and respect for human life.
Nevertheless, Israel's murderous aggression not only continues unabated but is escalating, provoking the feelings of world public opinion, which watches with embarrassment the brutality and cynicism with which the Zionist, murderous Israeli state behaves.
The Israeli government's decision to escalate military operations with the aim of completely occupying the entire Gaza Strip is yet another crime to be added to the long list of crimes against humanity and violations of international law that have been committed for decades against the Palestinian people.
Over the past two years, more than 65000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 150,000 have been injured, with the vast majority being civilians, children, women, doctors and health workers, journalists, and aid workers, including UN personnel.
Despite the outcry and outright rejection by the Palestinian people and all Arab governments, Trump's plan to uproot the people of Gaza by force in order to build a "Middle East Riviera" over the homes and dead bodies of Palestinians is provocatively back on the table.
It is clear that the cynicism and provocativeness of the Israeli state is maintained and fueled by the tolerance and unconditional support of the US and its allies in the EU and NATO, who, despite recent attempts by some of them to distance themselves from Israel's inhumane and murderous behavior, cannot be forgiven for having consistently supported the aggression and expansionism of the Israeli state in every way possible.
Bearing in mind that the concentration of Israeli troops for the new offensive to occupy Gaza has begun and a new bloodbath of innocent people has essentially been announced, the World Federation of Trade Unions, based on the principles of solidarity and internationalism, has decided to declare a global week of solidarity with the Palestinian people from 15 to 22 of September, 2025.
The working class will not remain silent in the face of the atrocities committed by the Israeli state.
Our message is crystal clear: the heroic Palestinian people are not alone in their struggle. The affiliates and friends of the WFTU will continue to fight on the frontline to strengthen and reinforce solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people through demonstrations and mobilizations, blocking arms shipments to Israel, participating in boycott actions, participating in humanitarian aid mobilizations, and occupying squares and streets with demonstrations. We are proud that the flags of Palestine have been flying alongside those of the WFTU from the very beginning.
Our struggle will not end until the Palestinian people are free and living in peace. Therefore, we call on all affiliates and friends of the WFTU, workers around the world, to intensify their solidarity this week with demonstrations, rallies, and events, and take to the streets and squares around the world, sending a loud and clear message of solidarity and support to the heroic Palestinian people, demanding:
- An immediate end to Israel’s military action in Gaza, and the Israeli army must return to its bases.
- An end to attacks and terrorist acts by the Israeli army and settlers in the West Bank.
- Stop the murderous blockade of Gaza and promote unhindered humanitarian aid under the responsibility of international organizations.
Let us all march together again, across the length and breadth of the world, at this critical moment for the Palestinian people, under the slogan:
- NO TO GENOCIDE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING
- FREE PALESTINE
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Global unions demand recognition of Palestine
8 September 2025
On the eve of the UN General Assembly, several global union federations are demanding that all governments recognise the State of Palestine.Credit: AFP SYED MAHAMUDUR RAHMAN
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is also calling for urgent measures to protect civilians, including an international peacekeeping force in Gaza.
Representing over 200 million workers worldwide through the ITUC, nine global unions and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC), the statement fully supports the growing commitment of governments to recognise Palestine. To date, 147 of the 193 member states of the United Nations have already done so.
ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle went further: “We support peaceful and diplomatic means to deliver a two-state solution, with a secure Israel and a sovereign Palestine living side by side in a just and lasting peace. That requires recognition of Palestine and, crucially, an end to the occupation. In that spirit, the proposal to establish an international peacekeeping force in Gaza is a step in the right direction. It is a concrete measure to protect civilians, stabilise the situation on the ground, and create space for a credible political process.
“This call is grounded in the trade union movement’s commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Recognition of Palestine should not be delayed or treated as a reward at the end of negotiations; it is an essential element of a just peace and a necessary step towards restoring parity of esteem and power at the negotiating table.
“Workers everywhere are entitled to live in freedom, dignity and security. The Palestinian people deserve no less. Recognition of Palestine, together with concrete steps to protect civilians and end the occupation, is how the international community can help turn statements of principle into peace with justice.”
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WFTU Solidarity Statement with the Global Sumud Flotilla
by central wftu, 3 September 2025
The World Federation of Trade Unions, representing over 110 million workers in 134 countries, firmly stands in solidarity with all the workers who courageous support the heroic Palestinian people and their relentless struggle and salutes the participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a maritime mission mobilizing over 300 people and 50 ships from 44 nations that departed on August 31st form Spanish ports committed to breaking the siege imposed on Gaza and bringing humanitarian aid and concrete solidarity to the Palestinian people. The evening before departure, a demonstration of 50,000 people marched in support of the Palestinian people and the Global Sumud Flotilla.
This initiative is taking place in a period that Israel weaponizes starvation and uses famine as a war tactic, and in light of the ongoing Israeli military operation with the declared aim of the full occupation of Gaza and the completion of systemic ethnic cleansing. The WFTU salutes the active role played by the USB dockworkers in the collection and the participation of their representatives who left with the flotilla, while the USB dockworkers of Genoa have committed: everything that has been collected must reach the people of Gaza. The international class-oriented trade union movement demands: no one should touch the Flotilla.
The WFTU also pays tribute to the dock workers in Italy, Greece, France, and other major ports who, under the guidelines of the WFTU affiliates, refused to load weapons and military equipment destined for Israel. These acts of workers’ resistance are a powerful expression of class solidarity and internationalism.
The international class-oriented trade union movement intensifies its struggle against the Israeli armed campaigns and aggression against Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, for the end of occupation and settlements in the occupied Arab territories, guarantee the right of return for the refugees, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Palestinian people and workers, under siege and under fire, continue to resist with dignity. The WFTU firmly and principled stands by their side. Their struggle is our struggle.
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IndustriALL renews call for brands to leave Myanmar
4 September, 2025
IndustriALL is repeating its call on several brands including Bestseller, Next and Hunkemöller, to cease operations in Myanmar and immediately begin negotiations with IndustriALL on a responsible exit from a country under military rule where labour and human rights have been eradicated.
The textile and garment industry is a major source of foreign exchange for the regime, helping to fund weapons, ammunition and fuel. The workers producing garments and footwear in Myanmar work in industrial zones under martial law. A 2023 ILO Commission of Inquiry found widespread violations of freedom of association and forced labour Conventions. In July, there were new reports of union leaders and labour activists arrested on unknown charges.
Despite these concerns brands like UK high street favourite Next and Dutch lingerie brand Hunkemöller have indicated an intention to remain in Myanmar, saying they are able to perform “enhanced due diligence” to mitigate the risk of human rights violations in the supply chain.
Next is also one of three brands, along with New Yorker and LPP, that IndustriALL filed complaints against at OECD's National Contact Points (NCPs) in November last year, on the basis that complying with OECD guidelines and human rights due diligence is impossible under a military dictatorship.
Trade unions and garment workers in Myanmar gained support from the International Labour Conference in June when the ILO took the extraordinary step of invoking Article 33 of its constitution against the military regime in Myanmar. Article 33 is the highest sanction in the ILO and has only been invoked three times in the organization’s history.
The resolution on Article 33 calls for governments, employers and workers to review investments in supply chains that may indirectly support the regime and disable all means that could be perpetuating egregious violations of workers’ rights
Says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie:
“By continuing to source from Myanmar, brands are helping to finance repression. The resolution on Article 33 makes clear that no business system in the world can mitigate the risks of operating under a dictatorship that outlaws independent unions and imprisons workers. The only responsible course is to withdraw and work with IndustriALL on a responsible exit that protects workers.”
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Mass rally of trade unions at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF)
BY CENTRAL WFTU, 08 SEP 2025
Mass rally of trade unions at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) on Saturday, September 6
One of the largest and most militant rallies of recent years shook the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) on Saturday, September 6.
Thousands of workers, farmers, self-employed, students, and pupils from Thessaloniki and the surrounding regions flooded the streets, with their slogans and flags giving the loudest possible answer to the policies of the government, capital and the EU.
They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the monstrous anti-labour bill for 13-hour workday and voiced their just demands for:
7-hour day – 5-day week – 35-hour week, wage increases, the signing and implementation of Collective Agreements, the restoration of the 13th and 14th salaries for public-sector workers, and the 13th and 14th pensions for retirees.
They denounced the provocation of the government that spends over €25 billion to the war machine of NATO and its allies, while schools open with thousands of unfilled teacher positions, hospitals are overwhelmed by medical personnel shortages, and half the country was left to burn by the wildfires without fire-prevention measures and infrastructure.
With a strong voice of solidarity, they stood with the heroic people of Palestine, condemning the murderous state of Israel and the Greek government’s participation in the strategic alliance with it, supported by all bourgeois parties.
The rally also targeted the compromised leaderships of GSEE and ADEDY, who call for “more Europe” while every anti-labour law in Greece is the faithful implementation of EU Directives. These are the same leaderships that praised previous anti-labour laws, refused to call strikes, and when they did, tried to undermine them. They continue to sow illusions, promoting “social dialogue” as a solution, fully aligned with ETUC’s line.
The slogan “Not a single sacrifice for the profits of monopolies – Not a single sacrifice for the war hawks of the EU and NATO” set the tone!
The unions declared that the struggle will escalate decisively, aiming for the organization of a nationwide strike by the end of September. The next militant milestone was set: the rally in Athens on Monday, September 8, against the monstrous anti-labour bill for 13-hour work.
Photos
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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