Taking COSATU Today Forward, 11 June 2024

[Norman Mampane]

 

 

COSATU TODAY

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

Tuesday, 11 June 2024

‘Building a strong and united COSATU in mobilizing for the ANC electoral victory”

“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”

Organize or Starve!

Contents                      

o   Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!

• Department of Employment and Labour set to host a range of employers to forge partnerships

o   South Africa

• COSATU President Zingiswa Losi Elected as Governing Body Member of the International Labour Organisation and 11^th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland

• COSATU Gauteng concerned about NPO budget cuts

o   International-Workers’ Solidarity!

• Global unions urge ILO to invoke Article 33 on Myanmar

Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics

Department of Employment and Labour set to host a range of employers to forge partnerships

11 June 2024

The Department of Employment and Labours's Public Employment Services branch is set to host a range of employers as an effort to forge partnerships in Koffiefontein, Free State.

The objective of the session is to forge partnerships, provide clarity on issues affecting employers. The gathering will also serve as an information sharing platform with regards to services offered by the department namely Public Employment Services, Compensation Fund, Unemployment Insurance Fund, and Inspection and Enforcement Services.

Members of the media are invited to the session to be held as follows:

Date: 12 June 2024

Time: 09h00-13h00

Venue: Municipality Auditorium, Koffiefontein

For media enquiries contact:

Cebisa Siyobi

Provincial Communication: Free State

072 427 6034

cebisa...@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

South Africa

COSATU President Zingiswa Losi Elected as Governing Body Member of the International Labour Organisation and 11^th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Noxolo Bhengu, COSATU Deputy International Secretary, 10 June 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is proud to announce the election of our President, Zingiswa Losi, as a governing body member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for the years 2024-2027. This achievement highlights COSATU’s commitment to advancing workers' rights and our role in the global labour movement.

The significance of this election goes beyond individual recognition, it represents a huge step for COSATU and the broader South African labour movement. As a governing body member, President Losi will have the platform to influence important decisions that will shape labour policies worldwide. This role will enable her to represent the concerns of South African workers and ensure that their voices are heard in key international discussions. Her participation in the ILO will also strengthen the representation of African perspectives, women and our priorities in global labour standards.

For COSATU and workers in South Africa, President Losi’s election reaffirms our commitment to fighting for decent work, social justice, fair labour practices, and economic development.

Her position will provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen alliances, enhance our advocacy efforts, and continue our pursuit of decent work conditions for all.

We are confident that President Losi will bring significant contributions to the ILO, benefiting not only South African workers but also the global labour community.

This affirms the centrality of our work to advance international solidarity, working class unity and for global economic justice.

Issued by COSATU

International-Solidarity

Global unions urge ILO to invoke Article 33 on Myanmar

11 June, 2024

Yesterday global unions, trade union activists and delegates in attendance at the 112th International Labour Conference (ILC), in Geneva, gathered at the Broken Chair to call on the International Labour Organization(ILO) to invoke Article 33 of its constitution as the military junta ruiling Myanmar for more than three years has failed to carry out the recommendations given after an ILO Commission of Inquiry found serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.

“What do we want? Article 33! When do we want it? Now!” was the slogan delegates chanted at the demonstration. 
 
Article 33 empowers the ILO to take action when a member state fails to comply with recommendations from the ILO's Commission of Inquiry. Specifically, Article 33 states that in cases where a member does not fulfill the recommendations, the Governing Body may recommend to the ILC measures of a punitive or corrective nature, including sanctions or other actions, to secure compliance.

Khaing Zar Aung, president of IndustriALL affiliate the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), said:

“I have stood here so many times calling for an end to the military junta in Myanmar. You know the crisis. Our people are not safe, especially the youth. We are losing jobs. We can’t survive. The aid that is meant for the people is going through military systems and it is not reaching the people who need it most. We need the international community to intervene. We need article 33 so that we can protect the people.”

Luc Triangle, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), said:

“We are clear that the military has to leave. We have to respect human rights and restore freedom. The military junta needs to be isolated. We will get article 33.”
 

Myanmar’s trade unions have said that the banning of their organizations, and the absence of freedom of association, means workers face conditions of modern slavery. This finding was confirmed by the ILO Commission of inquiry, which reported far-reaching violations of freedom of association and forced labour Conventions. This means that clothing made in conditions of modern slavery is being sold to consumers. 

IndustriALL general secretary, Atle Høie, said:

“Tomorrow we will take Khaing Zar to receive this year's Arthur Svensson Prize for her incredible work for trade union rights in Myanmar and her fight for a return to democracy to the country. We hope that this prize sheds more light on the catastrophic situation for workers in Myanmar under the military junta and contribute to its downfall. We need the international community to react. We need to invoke article 33 now. We will all fight for the freedom, prosperity and liberty for all in Myanmar.”

The military regime has killed more than 4,000 people, arrested almost 26,000, and suspended civil society organizations, including free trade unions. Many state employees, including 200,000 teachers, refused to work for the regime and joined the Civil Disobedience Movement. Many were killed or imprisoned, while others have lost their jobs and are experiencing extreme hardship.

__________________________

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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