Taking COSATU Today Forward, 24 June 2024
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #ClassStruggle |
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, 24 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!
- COSATU Statement on the second Central Executive Committee meeting
o South Africa
- COSATU North West congratulates Elizabeth Mokua on her appointment to the Executive Council
- SADTU Free State welcomes the appointment of new MEC for Education
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park must comply with labour laws
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU Statement on the second Central Executive Committee meeting
COSATU General Secretary Solly Phetoe, 24 June 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) held its second Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of the year from 18 to 20 June.
The Federation has won critical victories since the last CEC in February. These include very successful May Day rallies across the country, with workers showing their overwhelming support and filling stadiums, to the disappointment of our critics.
We have also seen COSATU’s relentless struggle for universal healthcare bear fruit, with President Cyril Ramaphosa signing the National Health Insurance Act in May. This victory belongs to workers who campaigned tirelessly for the NHI and equal access to healthcare services.
While much work still needs to be done to prepare for the roll out, the NHI is the most important transformation development since 1994.
President Ramaphosa also signed the Revenue Laws Amendment Act to establish the two-pot system, enabling members of retirement funds access to their savings without having to resign or cash out their entire pension funds. We expect the President to soon sign the Pension Funds Amendment Bill, the remaining legislative amendment enabling the two-pot pension reforms to come into effect bringing relief to millions of workers who are drowning in debt.
We strongly condemn those employers and pension funds who are confusing workers with misinformation as we prepare for the implementation of the two-pot pension reforms.
We are working closely with Treasury, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the pension funds at Nedlac to ensure the smooth implementation of the two-pot pension reforms on 1 September.
COSATU and its Affiliates will be following up with the FSCA to identify defaulters, after it revealed that more than 4,000 employers are behind on making contributions towards workers’ retirement funds.
Those employers who have failed to pay workers’ pension funds must be charged and made to pay without delay, and must be named and shamed.
The increase in the national minimum wage of 8.5% to R27.58 per hour in March is a massive victory benefiting millions in particular farm, domestic, cleaning, hospitality, construction and other vulnerable workers.
Whilst we celebrate this victory, we remain deeply concerned about scores of delinquent employers who are still paying workers less than the minimum wage. COSATU will work closely with the Department of Employment and Labour to force these employers to comply.
The election on 29 May was the most challenging our allies, the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party and ourselves have faced since 1994. Leading up to the poll, the Federation and its Affiliates crisscrossed the country determined to defend the ANC and the Alliance, as well as secure a mandate to return to office nationally and provincially.
Despite the ANC not attaining the 51% necessary to form a majority government on its own, we are humbled that millions of South Africans entrusted it to lead the government of national unity (GNU). We expect the ANC to recognise this election result as a clear message from voters - for the party to pull up its socks if it is to continue governing.
COSATU will continue to hold the ANC accountable, while working closely with both allies to rebuild voter confidence and ensure it reemerges as a majority party.
COSATU remains deeply opposed to the neo-liberal policies of the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA has a history of opposing all labour reforms seeking to improve the lives of workers. Its tendency to harbour unrepentant racists such as Renaldo Gouws and Ian Cameron within its ranks adds insult to injury. We call on the National Prosecution Authority to criminally charge Gouws for his racist utterances.
If the DA is to be part of the GNU, then it must abandon its anti-worker and anti-transformation agendas.
We expect the ANC as the leader of the GNU to ensure that government is biased towards the working class, defends the hard-won rights of workers and accelerates the transformation agenda.
COSATU welcomes the GNU’s Declaration of Intent’s commitment to protect workers’ rights and to engage with Labour, Business and Civil Society on the GNU’s policy platform that was included in deference to the Federation’s concerns.
The Federation will help facilitate dialogue with social partners at Nedlac to contribute meaningfully towards the GNU’s policy mandate.
Equally sacred to the Federation is for the GNU to continue on the path towards rolling out the National Health Insurance; building comprehensive social security; intensifying the war on crime and corruption; investing in a developmental state and well-resourced public services; enabling employment equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment; supporting the African agenda and solidarity with struggling nations internationally, including the Palestinian people.
It is imperative the GNU’s policy mandate be anchored on the ANC’s manifesto and guided by the Constitution and rule of law. The Alliance fully expects President Ramaphosa to consult it on the composition of his Cabinet.
COSATU congratulates former leaders of the movement who have been elected to Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures and trust they will continue to wage working-class struggles in their new deployments.
South Africa’s economy has stagnated since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The slight recovery in 2021 was short-lived as growth has since remained weak.
The crises at Eskom and Transnet contributed to the decline. COSATU commends Eskom workers and the Eskom board for three months of no loadshedding.
Equally important is the work being done at Transnet to ensure our ports and freight rail run efficiently and port congestion is overcome.
The marginal drop in GDP in the first quarter of this year, raised concerns that the 42% unemployment rate (60% for youth) may worsen. We have seen an increasing number of employers announce plans to retrench, particularly in the mining, transport, retail and textile industries.
COSATU expects the GNU to move with speed to stimulate the economy as soon as Cabinet is in place, by abandoning austerity measures that have characterised the stagnant state of the economy in recent years. We also call on business to assist the new government by creating decent jobs and halting retrenchments, as the economy cannot afford to lose a single job.
The CEC has resolved to exercise our rights under Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act and to launch a nationwide programme towards a National Day of Action in defence of workers’ hard won constitutional and labour rights as well as collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors.
In the build-up to the National Day of Action, COSATU affiliates are expected to lead campaigns in defence of jobs given the Section 189 across all industries.
The Federation is humbled by the recognition of its leadership role with the election of its President, Zingiswa Losi, to serve on the International Labour Organisation’s Governing Body.
This is an affirmation of the role of and COSATU’s commitment to advancing workers’ rights and our role in the global labour movement.
Issued by COSATU
South Africa
COSATU Eastern Cape condemns the senseless killing of a toddler allegedly by the mother’s boyfriend
Mkhawuleli Maleki, COSATU Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary, 23 June 2024
The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Eastern is calling on community members to remain vigilant and make sure communities are safe for children to live in, after a three-year-old boy was killed on Youth Day.
COSATU Eastern Cape is deeply saddened and shocked by the senseless killing of the toddler, allegedly at the hands of his mother’s boyfriend. The body of the child was found hanging from a tree in Xolora in the Amathole District Municipality.
The boy went missing after his mother’s boyfriend took him under the pretext he was going to buy him sweets. The boy’s 13-year-old cousin had been looking after him and didn’t suspect anything as the man had been in the boy’s life since he was two months old. A trust relationship had been built, not only with the boy and his mother but with the entire family.
It is unfortunate that the trust was abused to the extent that a young boy lost his life. The boyfriend is said to have confessed to committing the act. This incident has left the family and the community reeling in anguish and shock.
The federation appreciates the psycho-social support provided to those affected by the incident. COSATU is encouraged by the support provided by the Amahlathi Local Municipality through its Mayor, Councillor Nomakhosazana Nonngqayi, including a visit to the family.
Community-based organisations must work hand-in-hand with law enforcement structures and agencies to combat the crime that infest our communities.
We call on the court to mete out the appropriate sentence that will serve as a deterrent to others. We extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and entire Xolora community.
Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape
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COSATU Eastern Cape congratulates the newly elected MEC’s for the 7th Administration
Mkhawuleli Maleki, COSATU Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary 22 June 2024
Congress Of South African Trade Unions in the Eastern Cape welcomes the appointment of MEC’s for the 7th Administration by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and congratulate them.
The Premier appointed the MEC’s guided by the principles of competency, continuity commitment and change where necessary.
Eight out of the ten appointed MEC’s were part of the EXCO that worked tirelessly under difficult conditions impacted upon by global crises. This is a reminder that we are part of the global village, and we are not operating under the conditions of our choosing.
Despite that, every effort had been made to hold the fort.
The team of MEC’s is joined by two new ones.
The following appointments were made by the Premier:
- MEC for Agriculture – Ms Nonceba Kontsiwe
- MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs – Mr Zolile Williams
- MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) – Ms Nonkqubela Peters
- MEC for Education – Mr Fundile Gade
- MEC for Finance – Mr Mlungisi Mvoko
- MEC for Health – Ms Ntandokazi Capa
- MEC for Public Works & Human Settlement - Ms Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi
- MEC for Social Development – Ms Bukiwe Fanta
- MEC for Sports. Recreation. Arts & Culture – Ms Sibulele Ngongo
- MEC for Transport & Community Safety – Mr Xolile Nqata
This team of MEC’s is facing a huge responsibility of building on the work done by the EXCO of the 6th Administration to speed up service delivery much anticipated by the citizens, working together with the Premier.
COSATU will continue to engage the Provincial Government in ensuring the implementation of commitments it has made as part of continuity espoused by the Premier.
The federation takes this opportunity to wish the new EXCO success in taking forward the transformation agenda.
Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape
International-Solidarity
Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park must comply with labour laws
21 June, 2024
On 19 June, a tripartite meeting at Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park strategized how to initiate social dialogue to make employers comply with national labour laws and decent working conditions.
During the meeting, the ministry of labour agreed to conduct an inspection on workers’ rights violations through questionnaires which the employers are required to respond to in 30
days. The employers also made a commitment to immediately provide personal protective equipment to workers. On their part, unions will develop recognition agreements and begin their engagement in social dialogue with employers in the Sino-Uganda Industrial
Park.
Sino-Uganda Mbale which has more than 50 factories, employs thousands of workers in manufacturing sectors that include textiles, electronics, glass, and soap making. The unions recommended that the Uganda Investment Authority should make compliance with labour
laws a condition for investing in the country.
The meeting, which included factory visits, took place between unions, ministers, government officials, members of parliament for workers, employers, and local authorities, and came after unions had petitioned the government over workers’ rights violations
and decent work deficits. The violations highlighted in the petition in May included unfair dismissals, long working hours, and unpaid overtime. The unions wrote that most of the companies at Sino-Uganda Mbale promoted precarious working conditions, “with
heavy casualization of labour which included piece rates, short contracts, low pay, and no appointment letters.”
On health and safety, the unions said the companies failed to provide personal protective equipment and adequate accident prevention measures. Gender-based violence and sexual harassment
were common with women workers being denied maternity protection.
Sino-Uganda Mbale, located in East Uganda, is a joint China-Uganda project whose construction was done by the Tian Tang Group and is part of China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative.
Participating in the meeting were ministers of state financing and economic development, labour, industrial and productivity, and trade, industry, and cooperatives. Workers MPs, who are elected by trade unions as per Uganda’s Constitution also participated
at the meeting.
Last month, IndustriALL Global Union affiliates, Uganda Textile, Garment, Leather and Allied Workers Union (UTGLAWU), Uganda Printers, Paper, Polyfibre and Allied Workers Union (UPPPAWU), Uganda Chemicals, Petroleum, and Allied Workers Union (UCPAWU), Uganda
Hotels, Food, Tourism, Supermarkets, and Allied Workers Union (UHFTAWU) petitioned the government expressing concerns on violations of freedom of association and collective bargaining especially the workers’ right to form and join trade unions. The affiliates
are also members of the federation, the National Union of Trade Unions (NOTU) which participated at the meeting. The union rights’ campaigns are supported by the Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA), and the Norwegian Society of Graduate Technical
and Scientific Professionals (TEKNA).
“Most of the employers are refusing to recognise unions, which is a constitutional right, thus denying workers the right to collective bargaining and decent work. This violates International Labour Conventions 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize) and 98 (Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining),”
said Hajj Twaha Sempebwa, chairperson of the IndustriALL national council for Uganda. He further added that this contradicts Uganda’s national action plan on business and human rights
which states that employers must respect workers’ rights and promote decent work.
“Industrial parks should not be enclaves of workers exploitation that offend national and international labour standards. We are in solidarity with Ugandan trade unions on their calls for social dialogue to ensure compliance with labour standards to improve industrial relations,”
said Paule France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa.
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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