Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 4 April 2025
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY Today, it’s #CosatuRedFridays #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
4 April 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Update on the degrading of commuted overtime of doctors by the Gauteng Department of Health
- South Africa
- NUM condemns Ramokgopa's Eskom Privatisation Plans, Vows to Resist
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Humanitarian aid must reach Myanmar’s people, not the military junta
- CALL FOR ENTRIES: WFTU 80th Anniversary Photo Competition Theme: “WFTU in the Workplace”
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Update on the degrading of commuted overtime of doctors by the Gauteng Department of Health
Dr. Cedric Sihlangu, SAMATU General Secretary, April 04, 2025
To:
All SAMATU members in Gauteng
This
morning the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) participated in a meeting convened by Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand, the College of Medicines of South Africa, and the
Health Professions Council of South Africa to discuss the Gauteng Department of Health’s (GDoH) unilateral decision to downgrade the commuted overtime of doctors from Group D to C. This issue has garnered significant attention across the medical community,
necessitating a unified response from all stakeholders involved.
All
the stakeholders unequivocally rejected the unilateral adjustment of commuted overtime by the GDoH, pointing to that it is essential that modifications of terms of employment follow a collaborative, systematic, and transparent approach; ensuring that the interests
and welfare of medical doctors are upheld.
The
key resolutions from this meeting include:
- Formation
of a task team: Representatives from all stakeholders will collaboratively form a task team that will develop a consolidated plan of action to address this matter.
- Joint
media statement: To galvanise public awareness and solidarity, a joint media statement articulating the unified stance of all the respective stakeholders will be released today.
- Signing
of new contracts: It is crucial that doctors refrain from signing the newly imposed commuted overtime contracts. Those who have already signed are urged to formally reverse their agreements.
- Legal
pursuits: The stakeholders are actively considering legal avenues to interdict the GDoH from implementing these alterations until an equitable and consultative procedure is enacted.
- Potential
protest action: Depending on the proceedings, a collaborative protest action remains a plausible recourse to assertively communicate our dissent.
We
would like to urge all doctors to stand in solidarity in fighting this unfair reduction of their salaries. In cases where members are pressured to sign the new commuted overtime contracts, we encourage them to contact our offices. SAMATU will always advocate
for fair labour practices on behalf of doctors. We will continue providing updates on this matter.
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NUM condemns Ramokgopa's Eskom Privatisation Plans, Vows to Resist
Khangela Baloyi, NUM Energy Sector Coordinator, 4 April 2025
[Date] – In response to the Eyewitness News article published on April 1, 2025, titled “Privatising Eskom infrastructure will boost generation capacity: Ramokgopa,” the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) vehemently rejects Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s proposal to privatise portions of Eskom’s infrastructure.
The Minister’s assertion that this privatisation will inject over 3,000 megawatts into the grid is a dangerous and misguided justification for a policy that will ultimately undermine South Africa’s energy security and affordability. The NUM views any attempt to privatise Eskom infrastructure as a direct attack on the public interest and a betrayal of the South African people. We will resist this plan with all available means and challenge those who act as “lapdogs” of private capital.
We have observed a concerning shift in the Minister of Finance’s energy policy, moving away from a public-centered approach to electricity generation, distribution, and transmission towards a private sector-driven model. This neoliberal trajectory threatens to compromise energy security, limit access, and escalate costs for ordinary South Africans. It directly contradicts the state’s mandate to provide affordable electricity for all.
The proposed introduction of Independent Transmission Providers (ITPs) to construct 14,000 kilometers of transmission lines is a thinly veiled attempt to drain Eskom’s finances. This scheme mirrors the detrimental impact of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which currently force Eskom to purchase exorbitantly priced electricity, regardless of demand.
Eskom’s own financial reports confirm the crippling effect of IPPs. As stated in their reports:
• “IPP expenditure increased to R47.8 billion (2023: R41.8 billion) due to more extensive use of IPP OCGTs and higher generation by renewable IPPs.”
• “IPPs account for 7,495MW of capacity in total and supplement the country’s generation capacity, mainly in the form of wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) power, with some non-renewable sources. The energy supplied by renewable IPPs is not dispatchable, which means that we cannot decide when and how much energy is generated.”
• “At times, this puts considerable strain on our own plant, as we often need to either cut back on our own generation when there is an oversupply by renewable IPPs, or make up the shortfall if IPPs don’t supply as expected due to unfavorable weather conditions.”
• “Overall % capacity by Eskom and IPPs = 54,283MW the IPPs only contribute about 10% of overall capacity. IPPs contributes 27% towards primary energy cost yet contributes about 10% towards overall energy capacity. IPPs cost 2,367 R/MWh vs 541 R/MWh implying that IPPs are about 430% expensive.”
These figures demonstrate the unsustainable financial burden imposed by IPPs, which prioritize profit over the national interest.
The NUM will not stand idly by as this neoliberal agenda undermines the well-being of South African citizens. We have a proud history of resisting the 1996 class project and will continue to fight this new wave of privatisation.
We call upon all like-minded organizations, particularly those on the ideological left, to unite in opposition to this destructive policy.
We have formally requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss the direction of the nation’s energy future.
International-Solidarity
Humanitarian aid must reach Myanmar’s people, not the military junta
3 April, 2025
Stop the military attacks and the weaponisation of earthquake disaster relief! We, members of the Council of Global Unions (CGU), stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar following the devastating recent earthquake. We have been outraged by the Myanmar military junta’s continued attacks, exploitation of a humanitarian crisis, and deliberate obstruction of life-saving assistance through indiscriminate aerial bombings and systematic human rights violations that continued in the most affected areas in the immediate aftermath. We acknowledge the recent announcement by the military government of a temporary ceasefire in operations against armed opposition groups, but this does not go far enough.
Following the recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake, instead of prioritising rescue and humanitarian support, the military escalated aerial bombings on civilian communities, including in Chaung U (Sagaing), Phyu (Bago), and Naung Cho (Shan). Such appalling acts, under the guise of disaster management, demonstrate a blatant disregard for human life and dignity.
Myanmar’s history painfully reminds us how the military regime exploits disasters, using humanitarian aid as a political and military weapon, as seen during Cyclone Nargis (2008), Cyclone Mocha (2023), and Typhoon Yagi (2024). Aid intended for survivors has repeatedly been diverted, restricted, or manipulated for regime gain, resulting in prolonged suffering and increased death tolls.
The continued contempt for international law and total disregard for international obligations of the military should keep the international community, including UN agencies, on the alert not to be abused by the military to continue to impose itself on the Myanmar people. The military must stand aside for aid and humanitarian intervention to reach all the Myanmar people and for the Myanmar people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods in peace and democracy.
We, therefore, urgently:
Demand all humanitarian assistance be channelled exclusively through the National Unity Government (NUG), Ethnic Organisations, the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM), trusted local civil society, and community groups; entities that have clearly demonstrated commitment and capacity to deliver impartial and life-saving relief.
Condemn the military junta’s indiscriminate aerial bombings and attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and call for a sustainable, long-lasting ceasefire that goes beyond the short-term truce announced by the junta.
Appeal to the international community, including the United Nations, ASEAN, and humanitarian agencies, to ensure aid reaches affected communities swiftly and without junta interference and obstruction, employing cross-border and locally led mechanisms.
Urge Russia, China, and India to immediately cease supplying weapons, equipment, and military resources to the junta as these are being used to carry out aerial attacks against civilians, which could constitute war crimes under international law. Humanitarian support provided by these nations must not be exploited by Myanmar’s military junta to target dissidents, resistance forces, or ethnic communities.
Call upon multinational corporations profiting directly or indirectly from business relationships with the junta to immediately cease all operations linked to the Myanmar military.
Myanmar’s workers, communities, and ethnic peoples urgently require aid and protection, not bombings and obstruction. The extraordinary resistance of the people of Myanmar, ethnic groups, and civil society in the face of adversity demonstrate their leadership in delivering essential humanitarian aid. The NUG’s immediate declaration of a unilateral ceasefire to facilitate earthquake relief starkly contrasts with the junta’s continued violence and delayed reaction in calling off military operations.
The legitimacy and credibility of international humanitarian action depend on principled, decisive, and accountable delivery
of aid. The global community must not repeat past mistakes that allowed humanitarian aid to empower Myanmar’s military oppressors.
As trade union organisations representing workers globally, we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar and call for immediate and sustained international pressure to end this humanitarian crisis.
The earthquake has hit communities already enduring the junta’s brutal campaign of killings, forced labour, displacement, and repression. Yet in the face of devastation, the people of Myanmar continue to show unbreakable morale, determination, and unity. Their resolve is a powerful inspiration to the global labour movement. The international community must stand with them, clearly, decisively, and without delay - on the side of justice and human dignity.
Building and Woodworkers International
International Trade Union Confederation
Education International
IUF
International Domestic Workers Federation
Public Services International
IndustriALL Global Union
Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD
International Federation of Journalists
UNI Global Union
International Transport Workers Federation
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CALL FOR ENTRIES: WFTU 80th Anniversary Photo Competition
Theme: “WFTU in the Workplace”
3 April 2025
Introduction & Background
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), we invite photographers, union members, and enthusiasts around the globe to participate in our special photo competition: “WFTU in the Workplace.” The competition aims to highlight the working conditions and everyday life of the workers worldwide, in a diverse range of industries and environments.
Theme: “WFTU in the Workplace”
Your challenge is to capture an authentic moment in a real work environment—urban, rural, office, or industrial. Let your photo celebrate the spirit of unity, solidarity, and the pivotal role that workers and trade unions play in shaping our societies.
Eligibility
• Open to all photographers, amateur or professional, regardless of age or location.
• There is no entry fee.
• Each participant may submit up to 3 photographs.
Submission Guidelines
1. Technical Specifications
o Resolution: At least 3000 x 2000 pixels (around 10 MP) to ensure high-quality prints.
o DPI (for printing): 300 DPI recommended.
o File Format: JPEG, PNG, or TIFF.
o File Size: Maximum 10 MB per image (larger files can be sent via a file-sharing service if needed).
2. Editing Rules
o Basic post-processing (cropping, color correction, brightness/contrast adjustments) is allowed.
o Heavy manipulation or composite images should be clearly noted.
3. How to Submit
o Send your photos to: fs...@wftucentral.org
o File naming convention: LastName_FirstName_Country_Title.jpg
o Include a brief description (1–3 sentences) explaining the context of your photo and how it represents WFTU values.
4. Deadline
o All entries must be received by 30 June 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
Judging & Prizes
1. Evaluation Criteria
o Relevance to Theme: Clarity in showcasing the conditions of work and/or of organization, in a genuine workplace setting.
o Storytelling & Impact: The ability of the image to convey solidarity, unity, or a sense of community among workers.
o Creativity & Composition: Artistic and technical merit (lighting, focus, composition).
o Caption Quality: The accompanying caption’s effectiveness in conveying the photo’s context.
2. Prizes & Recognition
o Grand Prize: Featured in WFTU’s official 80th Anniversary publications and on the WFTU website; special certificate of recognition.
o Runner-Up(s): Certificates of recognition and online feature.
o Honorable Mentions: Spotlight on official WFTU social media channels.
o Selected photos may be included in global exhibitions, newsletters, or educational materials commemorating the 80th anniversary.
Usage Rights
• Copyright: Entrants retain full copyright of their images.
• Permissions: By submitting a photo, participants grant the WFTU a non-exclusive right to use, reproduce, and publish the images in any media (print, digital, exhibition) strictly for promotional, educational, or celebratory purposes related to this competition and WFTU’s mission. Credit will be given to the photographer.
• Consent & Releases: It is the entrant’s responsibility to obtain necessary permissions from any identifiable individuals in their photos. Any photos depicting unsafe or harmful working conditions, or lacking consent, may be disqualified.
Important Notes
• Ensure the safety of yourself and any photo subjects at all times.
• Submissions found to be plagiarized, heavily manipulated without disclosure, or in violation of any regulations will be disqualified.
• For any questions or clarifications, please reach out to our competition team at fs...@wftucentral.org
Join Us in Celebrating 80 Years of Internationalism and Solidarity!
Capture the essence of unity, dignity, and collective strength in your workplace. We look forward to your creative submissions and to honoring 80 years of the World Federation of Trade Unions’ commitment to worker rights worldwide.
Submit your best shots, and let’s commemorate this historic milestone!
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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