Taking COSATU Today Forward, 1 July 2024
Norman Mampane
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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
Monday, 1 July 2024
COSATU Call Centre Number is 010 219 1342
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize or Starve!
Contents
o Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- DENOSA statement post- its NEC meeting!
- SADTU Statement on the National Executive Committee Meeting
- MM’s resignation a blessing for George Municipality
o South Africa
- Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the appointment of Members of the National Executive
- PRESS ALERT: Reminder: SACP invites media to cover Central Committee post-meeting press briefing
o International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Lesotho: enhancing safety and inclusiveness at work
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
DENOSA statement post- its NEC meeting!
Sibongiseni Delihlazo, DENOSA Spokesperson, Friday, 28 June 2024.
PRETORIA – Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting between 24 and 27 June 2024 at its Head Offices in Pretoria, which took stock of the first six months of the year and made an assessment on political, organizational and socio-economic issues.
ON NURSES UNIFORM:
The NEC made an assessment on the state of readiness of the government to provide the nurses in the public sector with the full nurses uniform by the new deadline of 1 September 2024 that it had committed itself to meet.
Once again, by the look of things, the National Department of Health has not yet concluded agreements with the service providers with the exception of one province, Mpumalanga.
While Mpumalanga has concluded the appointment of service providers, the key issues that DENOSA had raised as essential to the provision of uniform, like centralization, quality, corruption, and uniformity which all talk to professionalism and respect for nursing, are not likely to be met even in Mpumalanga, as the province has further decentralized the provision to various district service provider.
DENOSA is calling for the implementation of the resolution on providing nurses with full uniform. The implementation of the resolution was postponed from 1 October 2023 to 1 September 2024. However, there is still no progress nor indication that the department will deliver this time around. We are still in the same situation as we were in June 2023.
DENOSA is concerned that, despite Mpumalanga having concluded the appointment of service providers, there had been no consultation with labour in the bargaining chamber on the specifications of the new uniform and it looks like other provinces may have to benchmark on Mpumalanga.
For instance, the quality of the material is poor although the costs per item are ridiculously expensive. Items like:
- Female court shoes costs R2 875;
- Leather belt: R694;
- Male long pant: R1, 038;
- Unisex jacket: R950;
- Female tunic style pleated dress: R781;
DENOSA is concerned that corruption may creep in these decentralized procurements, because nurses got around R3000 as uniform allowance. Even if they were to buy these on their own for one reason or the other, the costs have become exorbitant while quality is extremely poor as some items are see-through and of very cheap material.
DENOSA is demanding the restoration of the dignity and image of nursing in South Africa. We are demanding the same treatment as emergency personnel, police, correctional services and soldiers. The nurses spend a lot of money which they don’t have on buying the expensive uniform that should have been ordinarily supplied by the department of health. Failure to adhere to the implementation deadline, we will reserve our right to enforce the employer.
DENOSA still calls for centralization of the procurement so that corruption could be curbed.
Furthermore, DENOSA urges the National Department of Health to give an update on the process at bargaining chamber.
DENOSA will make means to engage the department further.
END.
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA).
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SADTU Statement on the National Executive Committee Meeting
Mugwena Maluleke, SADTU General Secretary, 29 June 2024
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) held its second ordinary meeting in 2024 at Emperors Palace Convention Centre on 26-28 June 2024 to debate and resolve on many issues facing the Union and the country in general.
The meeting took place towards the end of Youth Month, which is observed in honour of the June 16, 1976, Soweto uprising which saw the youth revolting against the oppressive apartheid and notable, the Bantu Education Act. The NEC noted the Youth Month theme, “Actively advancing socioeconomic gains of our democracy” which underscores efforts to promote youth development including through sports which is recognised as a tool to empower youth offering opportunities for growth and investment in their future.
The NEC noted the National General Elections held in the month of May where the ANC received 40,18% of the mandate which has caused it to enter a Government of National Unity that included among others, our class enemies, the Democratic Alliance. The NEC expressed disgust at the DA’s unreasonable demands for ministerial posts and accused it of applying double standards by demanding to appoint Director Generals while speaking ill of cadre deployment.
The DA’s Helen Zille did not waste time in demonstrating her party’s white supremacy DNA. She eloquently articulated her basskap mentality that the DA is in charge and will determine which ministries it wants, and the deputy ministries will have cabinet credentials while the rest of the deputy ministers will remain outside the cabinet. The NEC was reminded that the DA’s manifesto declared war against SADTU by lamenting that SADTU was too strong and must be dealt with. The DA demanding Basic Education ministry has nothing to do with a commitment to the nation to ensure quality and equitable education but to destroy the organization of teachers and their communities, SADTU.
The DA is working with the West to manipulate the Rand and cause our economy to bleed jobs. We have accommodated those who stole our land and wealth for 30 years with the hope that the white South Africans will realise the importance of social cohesion and justice, but the DA is protecting their ill-gotten wealth. They are now treating the ANC as beggars in the GNU negotiations. They must become the opposition and those who put the interests of our country first should continue negotiating to find a solution. We cannot tolerate being dictated to by the markets because we have to fight and return the country to its rightful owners.
The NEC resolved to fight this racist DA with everything our union has. The NEC resolved to be the vanguard of education as a potent force to empower the masses to restore the dignity of our nation, in particular, the African people. The Union will unleash the power of its intellectual capacity through the social pedagogy to change the economic situation which is currently owned and serving the white racial minority.
The Union will mobilize the masses to unmask the stereotypes that the DA employs to justify the entrenchment of colonial education system where the poor and working class must accept inferior status. The deficit narratives and framings of blaming the teachers and students of not working to be like their rich counterparts will be challenged and defeated. The inequalities are as a result of apartheid and colonialism and not because the people are not working hard. This narrative of blaming the victims will be unmasked and be defeated because the masses must liberate themselves. The land and its mineral deposits must be in the hands of the people. Education must fulfill this national obligation of building an equal society and inclusive and sustainable economy.
The NEC commended SADTU members and the Union for the work done for the elections to support the ANC as per the SADTU Congress resolutions and the Federation, COSATU resolution.
The NEC debated and resolved, amongst others, on the following:
Employment of teachers and the Fundza Lushaka bursary holders:
The NEC commended the decision by the Department of Basic Education to no longer prioritise Fundza Lushaka graduates over non-bursary holders for teaching jobs. This decision was an answer to the Union’s long-standing call to have the prioritisation of Funza Lushaka graduates scrapped as it was discriminatory.
On organisational matters:
• State of the Union:
The NEC noted the growth in the membership of the Union. The latest audited membership figures are 275 979, an increase by 7 528 from the 268 451 recorded in 2023.
• SADTU’s 10th National Congress:
The NEC adopted the theme for the Union’s 10th National Congress to be held on 25-28 September - “Mobilising the consciousness and uniting revolutionary professionals in strengthening foundational learning and functional skills in strengthening sustainable economic growth in pursuance of a socialist society.”
The theme aims to inspire members, as revolutionary professionals, to appreciate with the necessary urgency the role they should play towards creating a learning nation, building an inclusive society and advancing it towards a socialist society; develop a deeper awareness of where we are and where we should be as a society, ensure unity in the union and strengthening foundational learning which provides basic skills that are required to build all higher order cognitive skills. These should be made available to all children including the marginalised.
Further, they should be conscious of their role in imparting functional skills that can instill and enhance critical thinking, problem solving, creative and innovative skills to the child and the ability to adjust and function within varying contexts.
On Labour matters:
• Mandate seeking process for public service wage negotiations: 2025/2026
SADTU believes that all members have a right to be heard from mandate seeking processes up to the conclusion of negotiations. All members have a responsibility to assist the Union in negotiations by participating in mass meetings if they are convened and where the Union uses the survey to get the views of each member, the member has a duty to participate by completing the survey.
The NEC resolved to allow provinces to gather mandates and consolidate immediately when schools open for the third term in July before the negotiations begin with the employer on the 15th of July.
• Investigation of irregular appointment of under-qualified Grade R practitioners as educators
The NEC noted report of the technical task team set by the Department of Basic Education to investigate the irregular appointment of underqualified Grade R practitioners as educators. The Union will work hard to find the lasting solutions to the problems in the sector and ensure that the practitioners are employed in accordance with the standards set out through collective bargaining agreements.
On education matters:
• Establishment of National Assessment Council of South Africa or (NACSA)
The NEC deliberated on the proposal by the National Examination and Assessment Committee (NEAC) for the establishment of the National Assessment Council of South Africa (NACSA) or Examination Board as a structure to report to UMALUSI who is the custodian of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate (SC) examinations and to DBE.
The NEC having noted the rationale and explanations, resolved to conduct its own research to inform the union’s position on the proposed NACSA, the implications of establishing an examination board and its relationship with other examination structures.
• Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education
SADTU attended the language and literacy workshop hosted by the Department of Basic Education to gauge progress on the implementation of the Reviewed Reading Literacy Plan and the Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education Strategy and to plot a way forward in terms of the efforts of improving learning outcomes through the implementation of language and literacy strategy and Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) approach which is part of the Language in Education Policy (LiEP) to promote mother tongue based bi/multilingual education which focuses on language use, decoloniality and translanguaging perspectives.
Based on SADTU’s commitment to have mother-tongue developed and used as the language of instruction, the NEC therefore resolved to support the implementation plans of the DBE to roll-out the MTBBE in all other eight provinces in the country. The Eastern Cape Province is currently using Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education.
• Coding and Robotics curriculum
The DBE intends to introduce Coding and Robotics as a new subject incrementally, starting with Foundation Phase in 2025. The NEC expressed grave concern that the DBE was ignoring the proposal of unions to have coding and robotics integrated with other subjects.
Educator Unions including SADTU raised concerns with the DBE during the orientation of subject advisors in preparation for the introduction of the new subject. These included among others:
• No plausible justification was provided for the removal of 1-hour notional time from Life Skills in Foundation Phase to accommodate Coding and Robotics as a standalone subject. Life Skills is the backbone to teaching a learning in the Foundation Phase.
• The insistence to introduce Coding and Robotics as a stand-alone subject while it was presented via the integrated method in mathematics and language at orientation as proposed by labour.
• Lack of funding for the roll-out of the training.
• The subject advisors present at the orientation were not only from foundation phase but from FET as well. The challenge would be that the FET advisors will now have to train foundation phase advisors and teachers.
On international matters:
The NEC was grateful to the ANC for taking the apartheid Israel to the ICJ for its genocide in Palestine. The Union commend all the countries who have declared openly that they recognize the State of Palestine.
On the EI World Congress which will take place in Argentina 27 July to 2nd August, the NEC resolved to work with the SADC unions and all sister unions in the world to support the resolutions on the implementation of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendations on the teaching profession.
In conclusion
The NEC emphasised that the unity of the union was of paramount importance especially in an era when blatant lies, tribalism and racism have been elevated to be the norm. It warned members to be vigilant in the era of fake news, misinformation and disinformation which may cause the Union to be vulnerable to blackmail by members who are misinformed, ignorant or are agents of other forces.
ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat
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MM’s resignation a blessing for George Municipality
John Mcanjana, SAMWU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, 29 June 2024
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) is not surprised with the departure and resignation of the Municipal Manager (Dr Michel Gratz) as we have been consistent that her administration is not good for George Municipality. Her autocratic management style would not have lasted as she was reluctant to foster healthy labour relations with the unions particularly SAMWU.
SAMWU was not confused when they made the commitment to declare George Municipality a special project. We have a sterling track record of fighting for injustice and practices of maladministration. This passion was driven by the vindictive and wrongful purging of our workers and staff members in general. Even with her departure, SAMWU strongly believes that she must be held accountable for destroying the lives of innocent workers. Workers have been living in fear and some opted to resign through indefinite purging.
The MM (Dr Michel Gratz) must still account for the fruitless and wasteful expenditure that is linked to cases that were taken on review, wasting ratepayers’ money even when there’s no merits or prospects of success. She was challenging sanctions of disciplinary outcomes and arbitration awards that are not in accordance with her wishes of dismissing people of colour at a very fast-paced environment. She has embarked on an uncompromising attack on Directors of colour upon arrival. SAMWU is delighted with the departure of the MM and her cronies and wished them well with their future endeavours.
SAMWU is further demanding that contract of service providers that were appointed during her tenure as MM to be reviewed, an investigation be conducted pertaining to the internal investigation unit of the Auditing Section, immediate dismantling and dismissal of a “so called” forensic investigator called Smart Ryk Consultants and cabal who was unlawfully appointed to target certain staff members as part of their hit list, reviewing of all disciplinary cases investigated under the mandate of Dr Michel Gratz as we believe these matters had an undertone of malicious, frivolous and vexatious nature. This MM has caused a damage that is irreparable for the George Municipality.
We have also embarked on a process that seeks to justify how EPWP workers have been exploited in various departments performing core functions with slavery wages and demand for permanent employment of these employees. SAMWU is busy collecting this information to justify what we have consistently raised on the abuse of EPWP employees by various directorates. This former MM still has a lot to answer to, including those who colluded with her, and she cannot be left off the hook so easily. We (SAMWU) also hope there will be an end to the long indigent lines at the Finance: Credit Control Section and Area Offices based on the strict Indigent and Credit Control Policies resulting in electricity blockages being a basic right of communities and households. Indigent funds are meant to subsidize poor households with their basic services and not to punish or force them to pay for municipal services they cannot afford.
Lastly, SAMWU demand for the Legal and Compliance Section to be investigated for fruitless and wasteful expenditure by paying for all those frivolous cases that were taken on review and halfway through withdrawn and settled without any justifiable explanation. Why were these matters taken on review in the first instance? The Legal and Compliance Section must be coerced into providing an immediate detailed report of all matters taken on review and those withdrawn after lawyers were paid a lot of money that must be accounted for. The disciplinary actions against the Head of Legal and Compliance must be pursued following SAMWU’s appeal lodged with the Former Mayor ( Alderman Leon Van Wyk) who we believed was protecting both the MM and Head of Legal and Compliance Services. According to the George Council the last day of work for the MM (Dr Gratz) Director: Planning & Human Settlement (Ms Lauren Waring) is Friday, 28th June 2024.
Issued by SAMWU Western Cape
South Africa
Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the appointment of Members of the National Executive
30 JUNE 2024
Fellow South Africans,
Just over a month ago, on the 29th of May, the people of South Africa voted in a watershed election.
In casting their votes, the people made it clear that they expect political parties to work together to deliver on a mandate of transformation, growth and renewal.
To give effect to this mandate, it was agreed that a Government of National Unity, which brings together parties from across the political spectrum, should be formed.
This Government of National Unity would be bound by certain fundamental principles and would undertake a basic minimum programme of priorities.
Following discussions over the course of the last few weeks, a total of eleven parties have elected to work together in government and in Parliament.
These are the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and the United Africans Transformation.
The partnership between the GNU parties is guided by a Statement of Intent, which outlines fundamental principles and a minimum programme of priorities.
All the parties have made a commitment to respect the constitution and to promote a accountable and transparent governance, evidence-based policy and decision-making, the professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance.
The incoming government will prioritise rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and the creation of a more just society by tackling poverty and inequality.
The establishment of the Government of National Unity in its current form is unprecedented in the history of our democracy.
We have had to consider how to form the new government in a manner that advances the national interest, that gives due consideration to the outcome of the election and that makes use of the respective capabilities within each of the parties.
We have had to consider not only the immediate needs of the country.
We have also had to consider the stability, effectiveness and durability of the government we are establishing.
It is true that some South Africans have expressed concern about the length of time it has taken to form a government.
As the discussions have unfolded, they have been worried about the effect of a protracted process on confidence and stability.
At the same time, many people have pointed to the experiences of other countries that have a far longer history of democracy, where the formation of multi-party governments have sometimes taken several months.
As a relatively young democracy, we should be proud that we have moved to establish a government comprised of eleven parties within such a short space of time.
Through our discussions we have been able to build consensus on the tasks of government.
We have shown that there are no problems that are too difficult or too intractable that they cannot be solved through dialogue.
This evening, I am pleased to announce the members of the National Executive who will bear collective responsibility to give effect to the will of the electorate.
In forming the National Executive, we have had to consider several factors and advance a number of key principles.
We have had to ensure that the incoming government will be effective, and that it will have people with the experience, skills and capabilities to deliver on its mandate.
It is important that we deploy into positions of responsibility people who are committed, capable and hard-working, and who have integrity.
We have had to ensure that all the parties are able to participate meaningfully in the National Executive and that the diversity of the views of South Africans is properly reflected.
We have sought to ensure that the National Executive is representative of the people of South Africa, giving due consideration to gender, youth, demographics and regional distribution.
We want South Africans to see themselves reflected not only in the composition of government, but also in its policies and programmes.
Given the challenges that the country faces today and considering the electoral mandate this government must implement, I have decided to make certain changes to the national government portfolios.
In the course of the sixth democratic administration, we indicated our intention to reduce the number of portfolios in the National Executive. However, due to the need to ensure that the National Executive is inclusive of all the parties to the Government of National Unity, this has not been possible.
In some instances, we have considered it necessary to separate certain portfolios to ensure that there is sufficient focus on key issues.
The ministries of Electricity and Energy will be merged.
There will be a separate ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The ministry of Agriculture will be separated from the ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development.
The ministry of Higher Education will be separated from the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development will be separated from the ministry of Correctional Services.
There will no longer be a Ministry of Public Enterprises. The coordination of the relevant public enterprises will be located in the Presidency during the process of implementing a new shareholder model.
I have decided to make the following appointments to the National Executive:
The Deputy President is Paul Mashatile.
The Minister of Agriculture is John Steenhuisen.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture is Rosemary Nokuzola Capa.
The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Mzwanele Nyhontso.
The Deputy Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development is Chupu Stanley Mathabatha.
The Minister of Basic Education is Siviwe Gwarube.
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education is Reginah Mhaule.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Solly Malatsi.
The Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies is Mondli Gungubele.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is Velinkosi Hlabisa.
The Deputy Ministers of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs are Dickson Masemola and Zolile Burns‐Ncamashe.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is Angie Motshekga.
The Deputy Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans are Bantu Holomisa and Richard Mkhungo.
The Minister of Electricity and Energy is Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy is Samantha Graham.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Blade Nzimande.
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation is Nomalungelo Gina.
The Minister of Employment and Labour is Nomakhosazana Meth.
The Deputy Ministers of Employment and Labour are Jomo Sibiya and Phumzile Mgcina.
The Minister of Finance is Enoch Godongwana.
The Deputy Ministers of Finance are David Masondo and Ashor Sarupen.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is Dion George.
The Deputy Ministers of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment are Narend Singh and Bernice Swarts.
The Minister of Health is Aaron Motsoaledi.
The Deputy Minister of Health is Joe Phaahla.
The Minister of Higher Education is Nobuhle Nkabane.
The Deputy Ministers of Higher Education are Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe.
The Minister of Home Affairs is Leon Schreiber.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs is Njabulo Nzuza.
The Minister of Human Settlements is Mmamoloko Kubayi.
The Deputy Minister of Human Settlements is Tandi Mahambehlala.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is Ronald Lamola.
The Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation are Alvin Botes and Tandi Moraka.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Thembi Nkadimeng.
The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is Andries Nel.
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Gwede Mantashe.
The Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is Judith Nemadzinga‐Tshabalala.
The Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Maropene Ramokgopa.
The Deputy Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is Seiso Mohai.
The Minister of Police is Senzo Mchunu.
The Deputy Ministers of Police are Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale.
The Minister in the Presidency is Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The Deputy Ministers in the Presidency are Nonceba Mhlauli and Kenneth Morolong.
The Minister of Public Service and Administration is Mzamo Buthelezi.
The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration is Pinky Kekana.
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Dean Macpherson.
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is Sihle Zikalala.
The Minister of Small Business Development is Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development is Jane Sithole.
The Minister of Social Development is Sisisi Tolashe.
The Deputy Minister of Social Development is Ganief Hendricks.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Gayton McKenzie.
The Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is Peace Mabe.
The Minister of Tourism is Patricia De Lille.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism is Maggie Sotyu.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition is Parks Tau.
The Deputy Ministers of Trade, Industry and Competition are Zuko Godlimpi and Andrew Whitfield.
The Minister of Transport is Barbara Creecy.
The Deputy Minister of Transport is Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
The Minister of Water and Sanitation is Pemmy Majodina.
The Deputy Ministers of Water and Sanitation are David Mahlobo and Isaac Seitlholo.
The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Sindisiwe Chikunga.
The Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.
The Minister of Correctional Services is Pieter Groenewald.
The Deputy Minister of Correctional Services is Lindiwe Ntshalintshali.
These men and women we have appointed to the executive are drawn from all corners of our country.
They reflect the diversity of our nation.
They have a responsibility to work together to serve the people as a whole.
None of the members of the National Executive has been appointed to serve the interests of a particular constituency, a particular party or a particular section of society.
Collectively and individually, they are responsible to the people of South Africa.
In the spirit of partnership and collaboration, the incoming government will work together with other formations to convene a National Dialogue.
Through this National Dialogue, all parties, civil society groups, labour, business and other stakeholders will be invited to work together to address the critical challenges facing the nation.
We call on all South Africans to participate in the National Dialogue and to give their support to this Government of National Unity as it begins its work.
As the leaders of political parties, as Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as public representatives, we understand and accept the responsibility that we bear.
We have all been called upon to serve the people of this country, and we will do so to the utmost of our ability.
I thank you.
Issued by The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
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PRESS ALERT: Reminder: SACP invites media to cover Central Committee post-meeting press briefing
Monday 1 July 2024
Yesterday, the South African Communist Party Central Committee concluded its first three-day plenary following the May 2024 elections. The plenary considered reports from the SACP Political Bureau and Secretariat, as well as the Alliance, evaluating the election outcomes and analysing our country’s developing situation post-elections. The Political Report, presented by the General Secretary Solly Mapaila, served as the pivot of the reports considered to chart a way forward given the situation at hand.
The SACP invites the media to cover its post-Central Committee plenary to communicate the key outcomes of the meeting, including the Party’s positions on latest developments.
The press briefing is scheduled to take place as follows.
Date: Monday, 1 July 2024,
Time and Venue: 11AM, 141 Main Street in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
The SACP National Office Bearers with the Secretariat as the core, led by Mapaila, will address the media and take questions.
Issued by the South African Communist Party,
Founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa.
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International-Solidarity
Lesotho: enhancing safety and inclusiveness at work
27 June, 2024
Unions in Lesotho are supporting a project on safe and inclusive work environments which will focus on occupational health and safety and ending gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH).
The project was launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on 20 June in Maseru and is supported by the governments of Lesotho, the
United States of America, the ILO, and trade unions. Unions, including IndustriALL’s affiliate, the Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL), labour support organizations, non-governmental organizations,
the ministry of labour, the Solidarity Centre, and the United States’ embassy officials participated at the launch.
The project will support the implementation of the ILO Convention 190 to end GBVH in the world of work which Lesotho ratified in 2023. At industry level, the project will enhance the Lesotho agreement to curb gender-based violence and sexual exploitation in
the textile and garment sector, which was reached by unions, non-governmental organizations, and Nien Hsing Textile Company in 2019. IDUL is a signatory and sits on the oversight committee on the implementation of the agreement.
“We hope the ILO project will build on the successes of the Lesotho Agreement which has served workers interests by reducing incidents of gender-based violence and sexual harassment at Nien Hsing factories. But we want the agreement to be extended to other factories and sectors as well,”
said May Rathakane, IDUL general secretary.
The multilateral partnership for organizing, worker empowerment and rights (M-POWER), which is co-chaired by the US government and the ITUC supports the project. The M-POWER steering committee includes the governments of Argentina, Canada, and Spain, the International
Domestic Workers Federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and the AFL-CIO. Other partners include the South African government, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, Solidarity Centre, and the Workers’ Rights Consortium.
Rob Wayss, M-POWER executive director said:
“The launch of the ILO project provides a good follow up to the M-POWER summit held in July 2023 in Maseru. M-POWER was able to discuss with unions the impact and effectiveness of the Lesotho Agreement and how it has led to remedy several cases of violations and to improve the working environment at the covered factories. This led to progress in addressing GBVH violations in the factories.”
“GBVH continues to be prevalent in garment factories in Sub-Saharan Africa. We welcome this project because GBVH is also a safety issue for women workers who dominate the garment industry in Lesotho, and must be stopped,”
said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa.
__________________________
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