Taking COSATU Today Forward, 22 September 2025
Norman Mampane
|
COSATU TODAY #CosatuCC2025 Adjourned… #WorkerControl #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
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
22 September 2025
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU 8th Central Committee (CC) Declaration
- NEHAWU welcomes Labour Court Judgment against SOS Children’s Village over unfair dismissals of our members
- South Africa
- COSATU statement on the 8th Central Committee
- NEHAWU welcomes the gazette by DHET on nominations to fill CET College Councils
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- More benefits for ArcelorMittal workers in Liberia as union signs collective agreement
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU 8th Central Committee (CC) Declaration
Solly Phetoe, COSATU General Secretary, 22 September 2025
Introduction
We, the delegates to the 8th Central Committee of COSATU, representing over 1.5 million members from across different sectors of the economy, represented by 342 delegates, gathered in Benoni in the City of Ekurhuleni on the 15th – 18th September 2025.
The Central Committee (CC) was joined by our alliance partners, the SACP and its league, the ANC and its leagues, SANCO, and other MDM components, as well as our international guests from across our continent and the world.
The Central Committee, as per the provisions of the federation's constitution, is convened to adopt general and specific policy measures which serve as the aims and objects of the federation and to assist in reviewing and implementing existing resolutions and draft resolutions on urgent measures.
The Central Committee held under the theme, “Build Working Class Unity For Economic Liberation Towards Socialism,” is the Mid-term Conference of COSATU, which receives reports, do a thorough assessment, and develops a clear wayfoward to advance the strategic and programmatic tasks of the working-class.
Accordingly, the CC received comprehensive reports covering the 4 core areas of COSATU work: political, economic, organisational, and international sections. These reports accounted for the work done by the federation in implementing the last National Congress resolutions to accelerate the organisational renewal of COSATU and heighten the momentum towards the unity and militancy of COSATU in advancing the demands and aspirations of workers
The Central Committee welcomed the Secretariat report as an account of the work undertaken by the federation and its core thrust, affirming the centrality of COSATU in advancing workers’ rights, decent work, gender equality, workplace transformation and equity, job creation, land and agrarian reform for inclusive growth and class solidarity in pursuit of real gains and victories for workers.
In that context, the CC deepened its analysis of the prevailing global geopolitical balance of power, the realignment of forces, and the deepening crisis of capitalism and its implications for the working class, resulting in the high costs of living, deepening inequalities, unemployment, and poverty.
The CC made special emphasis on the importance of sharpening our strategic and tactical clarity on the global, continental, and domestic configuration of forces to advance workers' interests in all sites of power; the workplace, community, the state, the economy, ideological, and international spheres of influence.
The CC also received messages of support from working class and fraternal allies from different parts of the world. To that extent, the CC firmly expressed unwavering internationalist solidarity salutations to all workers and oppressed people involved in struggles in different parts of the world.
The CC took a deliberate focus on the state of our region, Southern Africa, and the conditions facing our region and the people in particular.
The CC paid special tribute to the fighting people of Palestine, particularly Gaza, and the resistance by the liberation forces and the people as a whole against a genocidal state committing crimes against humanity daily.
It went on to pledge solidarity with the workers and people of the DRC, Sudan, and called for peace, democracy, industrialisation, and inclusive development for all
The 40th anniversary of COSATU – a proud legacy of militant working class struggles and revolutionary trade unionism!
This year, 2025, marks the 40th anniversary of COSATU. COSATU was born on the 1st December 1985 in Durban (now eThekwini City) at the height of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
The birth of COSATU marked a turning point in the struggle against apartheid and resulted and proclaimed the final blow to the horrendous system of apartheid.
The CC recalls with pride the extraordinary sacrifices of workers in the struggles that defeated apartheid and shall be holding a series of events to celebrate and honour these heroes and heroines of our people, the working class.
The major celebration shall be hosted in DOBSONVILLE STADIUM, SOWETO, on the 6th December 2025, itself a revolutionary heritage and fierce theatre of working class and youth struggles.
COSATU celebrates this watershed moment at a time when major and significant events that define our liberation history and key milestones of our struggle, including.
The 70th anniversary of our predecessor, SACTU, which we jointly hosted with the Veterans of SACTU at Rivonia Liliesleaf farm in March this year
The 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, which emerged to become the blueprint of our liberation struggle and inspiration for all the years of exile, banning, and apartheid persecution
The 70th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the historic movement that united the 3 Continents: Africa, Asia, and Latin America (Tri-Continental Conference) held in Bandung against colonialism and resulted in the global coordination of solidarity that led to the final defeat of colonialism and apartheid on our own continent
We acknowledge the Centenary of Frantz Fanon, the great revolutionary thinker and African intellectual, for the remarkable contribution made to our struggle as a people and continent.
Political Section
The 8th Central Committee received a Secretariat Report that provided a comprehensive analysis of the federation’s historical mission, its ideological foundation, and a concrete analysis of the current political conjuncture.
The report went further to illustrate the global situation and its interconnectedness with our domestic situation. Towards this end, it identified key defining trends that summarise the prevailing global balance of power, which are;
The heightened wars of imperialism for the conquest of ever new territories, lands, mineral resources, and the further subjugation of the developing world.
The entrenchment of the global division of labour in which Africa and major parts of the global south remain mere providers of raw material and the imperialist/developed world producers of finished goods or valued added products.
The unprecedented ecological crises with the destruction of the environment by capitalism.
The heightening of the global energy crises, which are about the consolidation of ownership, control, and use of global energy to meet the needs of the most industrially developed countries, in the main.
The report emphasised COSATU’s role in advancing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) as a route to socialism. It highlighted the interconnectedness of global and domestic balance of forces and struggles, underscoring the importance of working-class unity in achieving working-class victories, specifically in the areas of political and socio-economic transformation. It reflected on the federation’s historical contributions to the liberation struggle, its alignment with the SACP as the vanguard party of the working class, and the ANC as the national liberation movement, speaking to our commitment to build a socialist future.
The report made an assessment of the unfolding contradictions in the South African struggle in the post-apartheid era, characterised by the regression of the NDR, resulting from a protracted neoliberal austerity trajectory. The post-apartheid capitalist agenda and its crisis have resulted in high levels of unemployment, growing inequality, and a crisis of social reproduction affecting working-class communities, especially women, youths, and children.
Resulting from this, the electoral platform has lost traction with growing sections of working-class households. For instance, the 2024 general elections witnessed the worst form of such a dissonance by our people at the electoral platform, with 60% of South Africans of voting age not casting their vote, resulting in only 40% of voter turnout. Out of these, the Alliance electoral ticket through the ANC only secured 40,18% of the vote, failing for the first time to attain an electoral majority.
The Alliance characterised the outcomes of these elections as a strategic setback for the NDR. But what became the most unfortunate part was that the ANC still went on to form the GNU with forces of monopoly capital, which both COSATU and the SACP characterise as ‘a regression in the NDR’.
The Central Committee reaffirms COSATU’s position on the historical mission and political programme of the Alliance, which, from the 6th National Congress resolutions, the federation was clear in calling for the reconfiguration of the Alliance. Towards that end, COSATU reaffirms the centrality of the common alliance programme, the Reconfiguration of the alliance, which is our most immediate task, and we will remain actively seized with its implementation.
The CC endorsed this analysis of the South African context, reaffirming our theorising of the NDR as a strategic programme of our struggle, endorsing the SACP as the vanguard of the working class, and affirming the immediate task to jointly build a socialist programme, entailing political/ideological education, building the left popular front and building a powerful socialist movement of workers and the poor.
The CC deliberated on the three main themes from the 14th National Congress political resolutions, namely; the State of the National Democratic Revolution and Socialism, Political Work, and Immediate Tasks in defence of the National Democratic Revolution.
The CC reaffirmed the clarity of the federation on our characterisation of the South African struggle - the NDR as a direct route to socialism, noting its regression, resulting from a protracted neoliberal austerity, and the shift in the ANC in the context of the GNU. It also affirmed the challenge of working-class representation in the current context, and the task of building working-class hegemony both within organised labour and working-class communities.
To that end, the CC resolved that;
On the state of the NDR and socialism, the 8th CC resolved that since the NDR is regressing, given the convergence of neoliberalism in the formation of the government of national unity, the Federation should contest the NDR in class terms.
The federation shall strengthen political and ideological training within the working class, as the main and leading motive force of the revolution.
The federation shall establish popular programs and activities at the point of production and workplaces, including extending Socialist Forums to deepen class consciousness. It also resolved to strengthen COSATU’s role as the most organised contingent of the working class, to ensure its independence while building a strong alliance and the entire Mass Democratic Movement.
On Political Work, the CC resolved that;
Political and ideological education should go beyond leadership to the rank and file, particularly workers on the shopfloor, and be extended to the broader masses in general.
It also resolved that post the 8th CC, there should be an urgent bilateral meeting between the ANC and COSATU where the federation will register its position against austerity measures, deindustrialization, and the neoliberal agenda, and deliberately mobilise society against the neoliberal policies.
It shall convene an inclusive National Left/Socialist Axis Summit to deal with modalities, inclusive of timeframes and proper coordination thereof. (Reaffirmation, as it is a long-standing resolution). It also resolved that the next CEC should develop a programme to embark on a deeper consultative process, to discuss the 15th SACP National Congress Resolution.
The federation shall develop a deliberate programme to align itself with organisations that are opposed to the neo-liberal outlook.
The federation shall prioritize political education by convening regular political schools, workshops, and forums to empower workers ideologically and politically, and to develop and implement a minimum political program aligned with the objectives of the NDR and socialism as a guide to COSATU’s political work.
It shall contest imperialist and capitalist dominance in political spaces with ideological clarity and class consciousness, ensuring that COSATU’s political work is guided by the interests of the working-class, balancing opportunities and risks while advancing the socialist program.
It also resolved that the class should contest elections with ideological clarity, ensuring working-class representation and alignment with the broader goals of the NDR, reaffirming COSATU’s commitment to building worker unity, strengthening the socialist axis, and reconfiguration of the alliance (COSATU, SACP, ANC, and SANCO) as part of advancing the NDR.
Lastly, on the immediate tasks in defence of the NDR, the 8th CC resolved that the CEC immediately following the 8th CC should develop a framework that guides the completion of the consultation process by affiliates in preparation for the 15th National Congress. There should be urgent engagement with the SACP and the ANC, and these engagement processes will facilitate a discussion towards a decision at the 15th National Congress.
It also resolved that COSATU and the SACP, upon completion of the internal consultations by affiliates, should have continuous engagements on the modalities regarding the contestation of elections.
The 8th CC made further resolutions on strengthening unity and engagement, on mobilising the working class, on building solidarity, and on advancing socialist programmes to address challenges and limitations in executing COSATU resolutions on the NDR and the immediate political tasks.
Organisational Section
COSATU Organisational work is based on the clear provisions of the Medium-Term Vision (MTV), which calls for a thorough-going Organisational Renewal of COSATU and its engines. To this end, the 8th CC took forward the clear tasks to advance those perspectives more concretely in a programmatic way.
Therefore, the 8th CC resolved on the following.
An integrated approach to Organisation Building, Organising Workers, Collective Bargaining and Campaigns
The 8th CC recognised that Organising, Campaigns, and Collective Bargaining are closely connected. Organising brings workers together, builds unity, and builds the power to bargain. Bargaining shows the value of organising, and bargaining victories can be used to recruit workers. Together, they make unions strong.
Strengthening COSATU engines
The 8th CC reaffirmed the need for strong organisational engines to drive programmes of the Federation and to ensure that the CEC commissions are well resourced with dedicated administrative and technical capacity. Building COSATU engines also requires building of provinces and locals.
Unity of Workers
The 8th CC highlighted the need to prioritise the implementation of its long-standing policy of a single Federation in South Africa and its past resolutions on unifying workers and the trade union movement.
The 8th CC emphasised the urgency of a united workers' movement now more than ever in the light of the challenges facing the labour movement, which have intensified in recent years. COSATU is to initiate a practical programme towards building a single union federation in South Africa. Part of the discussions must include the unity of all federations.
A Campaigning Federation
The 8th CC emphasised the need to strengthen and intensify its priority campaigns while building an overarching campaign on the demand for “A Living Wage,” which should emphasise that the national minimum wage is only a minimum, and that a living wage must be augmented by the demand for a social wage.
The Federation must link the Living Wage Campaign to an intensified campaign against austerity, highlighting the cost-of-living crisis, transport, electricity, water, food, and other basic needs. This campaign shall culminate in the National Day of Action against job losses and austerity measures.
The 8th CC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for universal healthcare and resolved to work with unions and progressive formations to defend and advance the campaign for the National Health Insurance.
COSATU has launched provincial Occupational Health and Safety committees. The 8th CC resolved to build these committees and to campaign for safe and healthy workplaces, including a focus on gender-based violence and ensuring safety for workers at work, while commuting, and in public spaces. Furthermore, we resolved to conduct workplace inspections to ensure OHS compliance and decent work. The federation and its affiliates should increase membership growth and density.
Recognising Private Sector Challenges and Strengthening Affiliates
There is a need to recognise the unique challenges facing private sector unions in both organising and bargaining. This Federation of Elijah Barayi was built to defend the most vulnerable and exploited workers. The strength of the Federation depends on a strong base in the private sector, where workers face the harshest conditions and the most aggressive exploitation by the capitalist class.
The 8th CC emphasised the need for solidarity between public and private sector affiliates.
Collective Bargaining
The 8th CC noted that the state has reneged on public sector bargaining agreements, and the continued attempts by private sector employers to replicate the tendency of undermining and avoiding collective bargaining.
We have resolved to intensify efforts to ensure compliance with the national minimum wage, labour laws and to advance collective bargaining in the LRA to ensure that employers cannot dishonour collective bargaining agreements under any circumstances or for whatever excuse in order to do away with the current system of voluntary collective bargaining. We resolved to challenge the informalisation of formal employment and to organise young and unorganised workers in vulnerable employment, including call centre and platform workers.
The 8th CC noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology are being implemented in workplaces without transparency and consultations with workers. The Federation calls for trade union oversight and bargaining on the use of AI and workers' data in workplaces, while also advocating for job security, reskilling, and upskilling programmes.
The 8th CC resolved to call for PIC (Public Investment Corporation) investment in infrastructure development and other initiatives that benefit workers directly.
Worker Education and Shop Steward Training
The Federation and its Affiliates must prioritise worker education. Shop steward training and induction programmes are essential to building a strong workplace organisation. Capacitated shop stewards provide leadership in bargaining and building a collective organisation.
The Socio-economic Section
COSATU is about defending and advancing the real gains of workers
The core thrust of our programme is in advancing the real gains of workers and improving their conditions of work, life, and self-development. This is why our programme below reflects our practical commitment to changing the lives of workers for better incomes, health and safety, access to quality healthcare and education, defence of workers’ rights, and the democratic institutions of collective bargaining and social justice.
COSATU continues to champion the struggle against the apartheid wage gaps in class, racial, and gender terms. This is why our defence of employment equity is about advancing transformation, inclusivity, decent work, gender and youth participation, and ending the racial and gender stratification of the apartheid labour market. Our rallying cry for equal pay for work of equal value is the cornerstone of our struggle to break the back of persisting inequalities and advance economic justice.
COSATU regards the urgency of building a strong and progressive working-class movement in the whole Southern African region as key to advancing decent work and improving the quality of life of workers broadly. The struggle to ensure proper bargaining institutions at the SADC regional level is key to avoiding capital playing workers against each other in the race to the bottom.
The global threat to workers’ rights is real – Tariffs, unilateralism and protectionism undermine our jobs, growth and solidarity
The 8th CC of COSATU takes place in a context of heightening imperialist aggression launched by the far right, neo-conservative, and racist global movement, led by the Trump administration. The 8th CC was emphatic in its observation that the Trump administration is using the instruments of economic warfare, such as trade tariffs, destroying the post-Second World War international trade and financial architecture, in its imperialist, technological rivalry with China, the European Union, Japan, and the rest of the world.
The 8th CC further observed that the Trump 2.0 administration is a threat to global trade multilateralism, a rules-based international world order. It is undemocratic and a global right-wing response to the emerging multipolarity. It risks plunging the global economy into a global economic crisis.
The South African economy was already experiencing premature deindustrialization, loss of productive capacity, and high levels of unemployment at 42.9 percent. The Trump trade war, in the form of the unilateral imposition of 30 percent tariffs on South African goods, will further exacerbate this situation. Many strategic sectors in our economy, such as auto and components, Agriculture, Textile, clothing, and footwear, or leather products, are facing massive job losses and company closures because of Trump trade war against our economy and against many others.
Even before Trump, the South African economy has been struggling already punctuated by job losses in most dynamic sectors such as foundries, smelters, steel aluminium sector, this has been as a result of premature trade liberalization, rising energy crises and global overproduction and problems in our logistical systems which are as a result of neoliberal economic and social policies that successive ANC-led governments have continued to implement.
Reaffirm the Congress position on SOEs regarding Eskom stability and the impact it has on energy crises.
The CC reaffirms the implementation of the 2022 Collective Bargaining outcomes as an immediate task in the period.
The turn to green protectionism in the North under the guise of protecting the environment, in the form of the EU unilaterally imposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and other green protectionist measures, risks undermining fair trade, multilateralism and may lead to the collapse of the global trading system. COSATU supports the South African government's dispute against these unilateral trade measures.
COSATU notes that the Government and the Reserve Bank are lowering the inflation target to 3 percent. This is done against the background of a stagnant economy, deindustrialisation, and significant threats from an unfavourable global trade environment.
Such a target will further throttle the economy and exacerbate the current jobs crisis.
Therefore, COSATU rejects this new target and calls on the Government to subject monetary policy and the Reserve Bank's mandate closer to the goals of job creation, industrialisation, and economic development.
The Central Committee called on the democratic state to do everything possible to defend South Africa’s sovereignty, defend multilateralism, and the emerging multipolarity.
The 8th CC calls on the South African government to challenge the unilateral imposition of tariffs by Trump and green protectionism measures by EU in correct multilateral trade institutions such as WTO and use the WTO dispute mechanism to isolate these unilateral unfair trade measures, diversify our export destinations, and revive and boost domestic economy, increase intra-trade with Africa and guard against dumping and advancing the Africa Continental Free Trade Area through promoting developmental regionalism.
The 8th CC also calls for a stakeholder engagement to advance our industrialisation policy and decent work.
The 8th CC noted the poor performance of the South African economy. the 8th CC was of the view that this vindicated COSATU’s position that the continued adherence to a neoliberal, austerity, and conservative macroeconomic policy framework has undermined structural transformation and is responsible for premature deindustrialization, job losses, and deepening social inequality. It has also been a wedge driver between the ANC and its core constituencies, the poor and the working-class, which led to the ANC-led alliance suffering electoral losses.
The 8th CC took note of the fact that South Africa is one of the most unequal societies globally, with significant disparities in income, access to opportunities, and social services, largely rooted in the legacy of apartheid.
This also confirms our analysis that the ANC macro-economic policy has nothing to do with the immediate needs of the working class and the poor; the ANC macro-economic policy is aligned and is influenced by capital and is identical with the ideology and the policy of the party of monopoly capital, the Democratic Alliance, which has since developed into the so called ‘GNU’.
The 8th CC noted the excessive increases in energy prices and their impact on the incomes of workers, and their impact on the competitiveness of our manufacturing sector. It further noted the challenges facing our manufacturing sector, collapsing social and economic infrastructure, and called on the democratic state to do massive public investment in climate resilient social and economic infrastructure, and break with austerity. The 8th CC noted the work the Federation is doing in green industrialization, new sectors such as critical minerals for beneficiation, green hydrogen and electric vehicles, and on the financing of green just transition. The 8th CC calls for the policy unit of the federation to deepen this work further.
COSATU calls on the government to speedily implement the National Health Insurance and a comprehensive social security system, which must include the Universal Basic Income Grant. We call on our affiliates to develop joint campaigns with the SACP, to mobilize the working class and the poor communities, for service delivery. The 8th CC also reflected on the challenges that are confronting our manufacturing trade union and called on the leadership of the federation to develop a comprehensive programme to revive our unions.
The 8th Central Committee Tasks of COSATU – Building a Popular front of forces against the high costs of living, unemployment, and inequalities!
The 8th Central Committee prioritised intensifying efforts and fast-tracking implementation of the following existing COSATU resolutions:
On the Popular Front - build a front or umbrella of fronts that unite people, including on education, on health, and on the cost of living. Strengthening the unity of affiliates is an important precondition. A Left Summit needs to be convened to build unity among left forces and develop practical socio-economic campaigns.
On the State’s role - ensure the repositioning of the budget to recapitalize the state and prioritize investments in essential services for working-class communities and fill critical vacancies. Campaign against austerity measures and neo-liberal attempts to weaken the state’s role in the economy and reaffirm the commitment to defending the public ownership of SOEs as a critical pillar of the economy.
On the NHI - call on the Government, especially the Presidency, to defend the NHI in court challenges and to work with the Government.
To continue to campaign actively for the full implementation of the NHI and initiate a mass popular education campaign.
On education - to call for opportunities to be created for young workers, including through internships and investing in their skilling and upskilling to equip them in this era of AI and the 4th Industrial Revolution. Related to this, drive a national 4IR and AI response strategy to protect vulnerable workers and advocate for collective agreements to secure at-risk jobs and invest in new job-rich economic sectors.
On climate change - energy supply and the Just Transition, advocate for a Just Transition strategy that prioritizes job protection, worker skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling, especially in factories, and that does not abandon at-risk workers, value chains, and communities, especially in the mining sector. Push for a moratorium on closing power stations until research is done on guiding extensions of power station lifespans and support measures are put in place to protect sectors and jobs.
On land reform - campaign in defence of the Expropriation Act and advocate for the release of land for reform and redistribution to unlock economic opportunities and to integrate the land question into the broader campaigns of the popular front. The Federation supports the call by our working-class ally, the SACP, in their campaign aimed to unlock the slow pace of the resolution of the Land Question, of which the Party is campaigning for the holding of a referendum at the earliest possible moment on the Land Question. The successful placement on the agenda of the referendum would allow the vast masses of the South African people to express their wishes regarding the unresolved Land Question”.
This would also give the working-class axis prospects for mobilisation with vast sections of working-class communities towards a working-class political programme, starting with this campaign on the land question.
On retirement funds - The 8th CC recommit to convening the Retirement Funds Conference as an urgent priority. The 8th CC further calls for engagement with Treasury and Parliament on the next phase of the Two-Pot Pension Reforms, including reducing the tax burden, which was undermining the original objectives of the two-pot system, reviewing the system, and training union members on it.
On retrenchments - review the Business Rescue legislation to ensure workers benefit more, and any business rescue is limited in time, with the Business Rescue practitioners more accountable. Campaign for stronger retrenchment payment provisions, such as the proposed increase to two weeks’ salary, campaign to expose employers hiring undocumented workers for positions that could be filled by South Africans and align various legislations to strengthen our ability to fight retrenchments.
On inequality - ensure the Government implements the new Companies Amendment Act, which requires salary disparities between CEOs and workers to be published, as per the agreement made in NEDLAC and fight for greater compliance and enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and close loopholes bosses are taking to avoid paying the NMW.
On revitalising industrial sectors - support initiatives to rebuild industrial sectors to create sustainable economic growth and decent permanent jobs, advance worker participation in industrial policy and sector strategies, such as the Masterplans, advocate for the development of a bold new industrial strategy and convene an industrial policy summit that will cascade to workers on the ground and engage the Government to stem job losses and factory closures.
On the employment of young workers - review internships and campaign for the permanent insourcing of interns and other outsourced workers, and advocate for fair treatment and proper career development opportunities with full employment and decent work for young workers.
On comprehensive social security - intensify our campaign for the UBIG and our work with other progressive formations.
On child labour - to campaign for the government to increase support to children to stay in school and put in place specific measures to support the girl child and child-headed households.
On corruption - intensify efforts to combat corruption in both the public and private sectors.
On workers on boards - the Secretariat to coordinate union representatives on boards to strengthen mandating, reporting back, and accountability.
On Immigration and Labour Migration Policies –
Noting that our laws are clear on the importance of compliance and governance of immigration controls in the country.
Further noting that labour laws govern labour migration and legality in the country.
The 8th CC resolved that:
To work with the Department of Labour, Home Affairs, and law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance by all employers.
To fight against employers using illegal migrants as cheap labour and to avoid compliance.
To ensure employers don’t use enforcement gaps to divide workers and avoid employing locals.
Ensure that South Africans are given priority status in employment.
To initiate a campaign against human trafficking, with particular focus on women and children as the worst victims.
To fight against crime and international syndicates by affirming the tight national security of our state and the people.
To call on SADC to ensure all states work to create jobs and ensure workers’ rights and democracy throughout the region, to regulate the movement of people in accordance with the law.
The 8th Central Committee further adopted two urgent resolutions which direct the federation to;
On trade and jobs - defend existing trade relations as a way to preserve jobs, call on the Government to diversify our trade but not enter into trade agreements which could result in lost jobs and de-industrialisation, call for an appropriate, worker-friendly response to the trade shocks and campaign for a return to a rules-based trading system that prioritises developmental issues and is worker-focused.
On combating Gender Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) - mobilize campaigns to raise awareness and dialogue about GBVH, and to organise a summit to bring men together in a Bua-Monna Summit to discuss and address issues contributing to GBVH.
International Section
The 8th CC reaffirmed the assessment of the international balance of power as articulated by the report and summarised into notable and key trends, which are the important background and analysis of the current geopolitical and economic situation and the crisis facing the working class.
Given the prevailing international balance of forces, the global trade union movement is facing major challenges, and the following are the notable trends in the current period;
Heightened fragmentation of the trade union movement, resulting from the neo-liberal restructuring of the global economy. This is evident in the way casualisation, outsourcing, labour broking, stratification, as well as market globalisation in general, are deepening the fragmentation of workers and the trade union movement in particular
Intensified pauperisation of the working class as a whole, resulting from increased inequalities, poverty, and hunger as capitalist greed consolidates itself on a global scale.
Signs of increasing levels of working-class consciousness following a period of sustained degeneration of ideological depth in the trade union movement globally. This resulted in the weakening culture of solidarity, self-organisation of the class, and militancy in the recent past period. It affected and weakened strategic alliances and support systems amongst the forces of the working class, particularly socialist and communist parties in many countries of the global south. However, recent events reflect a new re-awakening and revived impetus against austerity, fascism, corporate exploitation, unemployment, and poverty. These are the results of the institutionalised and structural crises of the capitalist system in general
The need for a strong, effective, and highly organised African trade union movement is our core priority on the continent. The state of SATUCC, ITUC Africa OATUU always concerns us very much. This explains our consistent and robust discussions about what should be done to build a strong, effective, and impactful continental trade union movement to fight for change and improve the conditions of workers on the continent. Towards this end, we commit to revitalise the Africa Quadrilateral Forum, comprised of COSATU (SA), TUC (Ghana), NLC (Nigeria), and COTU (Kenya), and its extended alliance partners; Algeria, Senegal, and Tunisia. In the Southern Africa region, we need to identify the core strategic partners for better coordinated cooperation.
On COSATU's unwavering commitment to anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, and affirming the centrality of our democratic sovereignty
Therefore, resolve that:
COSATU shall intensify an active international solidarity campaign that brings together all progressive forces to act together in defence of South Africa's democratic right to sovereign development, free from imperialist bullying and threats.
COSATU shall liaise closely with the progressive global movement and its components, particularly the international trade union movement, communist and working-class parties, social movements and NGOs, liberation movements, youth and women's organizations.
On building a united, organized, and fighting international trade union movement
Therefore resolve.
To use COSATU's global affiliations, influences, and strategic alliances to build a coordinated progressive bloc of unions towards a global front of "like-minded" social forces
To fully participate and organise further events marking the 80th anniversary of the WFTU as a critical moment that propelled working class struggles on a global level, including concrete solidarity with our own struggles against apartheid colonialism,
To revive active international social movement unionism along the lines of the Southern Initiative on Globalisation and Trade Union Rights (SIGTUR), which was focused on global southern perspectives and workers' struggles
To support COSATU affiliates in their respective international sectoral affiliations and improve coordination for maximum impact. In this instance, COSATU affiliates hold significant positions in the international trade union movement that wield huge global influence
The CC calls for a more robust and concerted efforts to revive contacts and joint campaigns with the workers and unions of the DRC, Sudan towards a progressive international solidarity movement To work with the unions of the DRC, Sudan and continentally towards exposing the role of imperialism in the wars of looting of the minerals and in defence of the people against violence, atrocities, abuse and systemic underdevelopment.
To further work with our sister unions towards the mobilisation of the people of the DRC and the rest of the continent against militia serving as fronts of the inhumane multinational companies, mainly from the UK, France, the US, and Belgium.
On Concrete International Solidarity Work and Campaigns – Solidarity in action
Therefore, resolve that;
On Swaziland - The federation shall undertake a CEC-led international exchange visit to Swaziland, to do an assessment of the prevailing situation and interact with the working class and broader progressive forces to reaffirm and pledge solidarity with the working people of Swaziland in April 2026. The exchange visit shall be the basis for the development of a concrete international solidarity programme of COSATU with the workers and people of Swaziland
Further, the Central Committee expresses unwavering solidarity to the March organised by PUDEMO and (Swaziland Youth Congress) SWAYOCO External region against the dumping of dangerous criminals by the US, in secret deals with King Mswati and his government. This puts the security of the whole region, including South Africa, at serious risk and should be vehemently opposed.
On Palestine – The CC endorsed two concrete action plans.
the energy embargo and call for active engagement with our unions in the energy sector on the non-handling of coal campaign to Israel within a specified time duration.
The Special resolution on Gaza and ending the genocide - to intensify the global call for an end to genocide and cleansing of Palestinians by the Israeli settler apartheid regime. To find practical ways for the federation and its affiliates to support the people of Palestine.
On Western Sahara – to organise an international protest at the US and Morocco embassies in February 2026
On Cuba and Venezuela - to declare an International Day of Solidarity with countries victimised by unjustified blockades and sanctions by imperialism, particularly Cuba and Venezuela, in the context of our international solidarity work with progressive forces in Latin America, particularly. The US aggression against Cuba and Venezuela illustrates the threat facing humanity, which is imperialist aggression.
COSATU and affiliates international work – the federation shall coordinate a national affiliates meeting on campaigns targeting mainly Gauteng, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal embassies for solidarity protests.
On Global mega blocs and the urgency of Africa's industrialization and development
The 8th CC resolved.
To actively coordinate with the international and national trade unions involved in the key global mega economic blocs, particularly BRICS, the ACFTA, the AU, EU-Africa, US–Africa Trade bloc (AGOA), MERCURSOR, ALBA, ASEAN, and other strategic blocs of relevance to advancing workers, trade, and industrial development, jobs, and skills.
To strengthen COSATU participation in advancing working class perspectives in the key global mega blocs that have strategic significance and importance to the people and workers of South Africa and our continent, Africa.
To develop a tracking mechanism to ensure workers' issues are consistently well articulated, defended, and the broader thrust of progressive economic and labour policies is the cornerstone of the emerging global and economic architecture.
Developing the capacity of COSATU to advance internationalism and training cadres specializing in international relations
The 8th CC resolved that;
Priority should be given to training COSATU and affiliates' shopsteward on international relations, the global political economy, and geopolitical trends, as well as skills necessary for IR Practitioners of COSATU
To use the COSATU International Practitioners Resource Book, the International Shopstewards Handbook, and the International Policy of COSATU as base resources and reference materials in the training.
To support the International Relations Committee (IRC) of the federation as a driving engine of our international programme and the Provincial International Committees and Twinning programmes as support infrastructure to support involvement of Provinces, and for coordination purposes
Conclusion
The COSATU 8th Central Committee reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of the NDR as the only route to socialism, recognising the centrality of the working class in the struggle against capitalist exploitation and imperialist domination.
The 8th CC underscore the urgent need to confront the deepening crises of capitalism, including unemployment, inequality, ecological destruction, and the commodification of labour.
It calls for the reconfiguration of the Alliance and the building of a united socialist movement to advance the National Democratic Revolution as a direct path to socialism.
The CC emphasizes the importance of sharpening class consciousness, intensifying political education, and mobilizing workers to contest neoliberal austerity and imperialist aggression. In the spirit of working-class internationalism, COSATU commits to strengthening solidarity with oppressed peoples globally, reaffirming the historic call: "Workers of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains". as the rallying cry for collective resistance against the forces of exploitation and oppression.
The declaration concludes with a resolute call to action, urging workers to organize and build unity across workplaces, communities, and international borders. It recognizes that the fragmentation of the working class under neoliberalism is a deliberate strategy of capital to weaken collective power and thus calls for the revitalization of trade union militancy and the forging of alliances with progressive forces worldwide.
COSATU pledges to intensify its campaigns for decent work, universal healthcare, social security, and the defense of public ownership, while contesting imperialist dominance in global trade and economic systems.
The 8th CC envisions a future where the working class leads the struggle for socialism, dismantling the structures of exploitation and building a society rooted in equality, justice, and solidarity. "Workers of the world, unite!
You have nothing to lose but your chains".!
It remains not just a slogan, but a revolutionary imperative to transform the world.
Aluta continua!
___________________
NEHAWU welcomes Labour Court Judgment against SOS Children’s Village over unfair dismissals of our members
Zola Saphetha, NEHAWU General Secretary, September 19, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] welcomes the Labour Court judgement on the matter between the union and SOS Children's Villages in South Africa over unfair dismissal dispute of our members.
The matter was heard on the 18th – 20th August 2025 and judgement was delivered on the 12th September 2025.
The Labour Court found the retrenchment of 21 members of the union at SOS Children’s Village SA to be both substantively and procedurally unfair, ordering the employer to pay 12 months’ compensation to each affected employee.
The judgement follows a long protracted battle against SOS Children’s Village after they had unfairly dismissed our members on the 21st December 2015.
As NEHAWU, we are vindicated by the judgement, as our bone of contention was that the dismissals were substantively and procedurally unfair, as the company had bypassed the union in the section 198 process and had not consulted the union and provided the necessary information required. Instead, the employer embarked on individual meetings with employees instead of the union as the recognised union and concealed material information.
The Court found that SOS Children's Village had bypassed the union in section189 processes by issuing individual “consultation” invitations and proceeded to meet with employees without the union. Equally the employer repeatedly relied on an “EOH report” to justify restructuring, but the document turned out to be an RFQ (request for proposals) for an organisational review, not the underlying restructuring report that the union had consistently requested to engage meaningfully. The Court held this breached section 189(1)(d) because the employer failed to consult the registered trade union whose members were affected.
This judgement as it sends a clear message to employers that gone are the days where employers would bypass the law in section189 processes, the law requires employers to consult with the recognised union not individual employee meetings. The judgement compels employers to have meaningful consultation which needs meaningful information.
Lastly, the union welcomes this court order as it protects workers from employers who abuse their powers. We call on the SOS Children’s Village to comply with the judgement and immediately pay the 12 months’ compensation as per the directive of the court.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
COSATU statement on the 8th Central Committee
Zanele Sabela, COSATU National Spokesperson, 19 September 2025
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) representing over 1.5 million workers across various sectors, convened its 8th Central Committee (CC) in Benoni, Ekurhuleni from 15 to18 September under the theme, “Build Working-Class Unity for Economic Liberation Towards Socialism”.
More than 340 delegates representing 16 Affiliates engaged in robust but disciplined debate, assessed the work of the Federation since the last Congress and resolved on an action plan as the Federation heads towards its National Congress in September 2026. The Central Executive Committee is set to formulate concrete programmes for implementation based on the action plan.
Joined by its Alliance partners (the ANC, SACP and SANCO), international guests and fraternal organisations, the CC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) as the direct path to socialism and addressing the deepening crises of capitalism.
The CC critically analysed the regression of the NDR, exacerbated by neoliberal austerity policies of the Government of National Unity and its over reliance on the commitments of capital to government’s developmental mandates. These policies over years have failed and instead led to rising unemployment, inequality and poverty, disproportionately affecting women, youth, and working-class communities.
The economy has stalled at 1% growth rate, with unemployment at 42.9% and 73.1% for youth aged between 15 and 24. South Africa is plagued by endemic crime and corruption and struggling public and municipal services. The Federation views this as a betrayal of the working class and a regression in the revolutionary struggle.
There were, however, gains to celebrate including the successful implementation of the Two-Pot Pension system, which the Federation championed from conception to date of effect on 1 September 2024. To date, these long-sought pension reforms have released over R60 billion into the hands of more than 3.5 million indebted workers.
COSATU is engaging in robust negotiations to ease the unbearable painful tax burden upon workers, to ensure those who lose their jobs have access to all their savings and to give greater relief to help workers reduce their suffocating levels of debt.
The period under review also saw progressive legislation championed by COSATU passed including the National Health Insurance (NHI) and the Expropriation Act, though both are being challenged at the Constitutional Court. The CC resolved to work closely with government to prepare for the NHI court challenge whilst continuing to campaign actively for its full implementation because it lays the ground for universal healthcare.
The CC also resolved to campaign in defence of the Expropriation Act, including its pending Constitutional Court challenge; and to accelerate the cause of land reform and redistribution to release land to unlock economic opportunities, access to land for farming and housing for the dispossessed Black majority.
Undeterred by the shenanigans during the tabling of the budget earlier this year, the Federation has resolved to intensify its campaigns against government’s neo-liberal austerity budget cuts that have crippled the delivery of frontline services.
We will push for government to adopt a bold and progressive budget, enabling it to fulfil its developmental mandate, stimulate inclusive economic growth, create decent jobs and provide relief for the poor and the unemployed.
Delegates expressed deep concern about the retrenchments taking place across various sectors including at Glencore, ArcelorMittal, Goodyear and most recently Coca-Cola. To mitigate the fallout, COSATU will intervene with the Minister for Employment and Labour to resolve the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Temporary Employee Relief Scheme and ensure government puts in place relief for at risk workers and companies.
The impact of exorbitant electricity price hikes on economic growth, industrial sectors, and job losses was also noted. It was resolved to engage government and Eskom to develop strategies to reduce dependency on above-inflation tariff hikes, including addressing corruption, wastage, vandalism, and cable theft.
Support to stabilise Eskom along with other state-owned enterprises such as Transnet, Metro Rail, SABC, Denel, South African Post Office and Postbank are essential to ensure the state delivers frontline services and transforms society. This includes filling vacant critical posts for doctors, nurses, teachers, SAPS, Home Affairs and other frontline staff.
The CC highlighted the global balance of forces, marked by imperialist wars, ecological destruction, and the exploitation of the Global South as providers of raw materials. It condemned the heightened aggression of the global superpowers of the industrialised north, including the Trump administration’s trade wars and the EU’s green protectionist measures, which threaten South Africa’s sovereignty and economic stability.
COSATU calls on the South African government to challenge these unilateral actions through multilateral platforms like the World Trade Organisation and to prioritise intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
The turmoil wrought on by tariffs necessitates strategic negotiations to navigate global trade and open new trade opportunities for South African economic sectors, particularly through the ACFTA. While it is critical to expand trade relations, we must ensure we do so in a manner that does not threaten but supports South African jobs by intensifying COSATU’s call for affordable electricity prices to stimulate industrial growth, in particular the mining and manufacturing sectors.
COSATU resolved to strengthen international solidarity with oppressed peoples globally. The CC endorsed concrete actions, including solidarity campaigns for Palestine, Swaziland, Western Sahara, Cuba, and Venezuela, and pledged to intensify efforts to build a united and militant international trade union movement. The rallying call, “Workers of the world, unite!”, remains central to COSATU’s vision of global working-class solidarity.
Domestically, the CC emphasised the need to sharpen class consciousness and strengthen worker unity to confront the fragmentation of the working class under neoliberalism. COSATU resolved to intensify political education, mobilise workers on the shopfloor, and expand socialist forums to deepen class consciousness. The Federation will also prioritise campaigns for decent work, universal healthcare and social security.
The CC reaffirmed its commitment to the Living Wage campaign, linking it to broader struggles against austerity and the cost-of-living crisis. It resolved to advocate for safe workplaces and ensure compliance with labour laws, including the National Minimum Wage. Recognising the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence and automation, COSATU called for trade union oversight and bargaining to protect workers’ rights and ensure job security.
The CC also resolved to mobilise, raise awareness and dialogue about gender-based violence (GBV), and to organise a summit to bring men together in a Bua-monna summit to discuss and address issues contributing to GBV.
All three of the Federation’s Alliance partners delivered revolutionary messages of support to the CC.
The CC resolved to intensify efforts to reconfigure the Alliance and build a united socialist movement to contest neoliberalism, austerity and imperialist aggression. COSATU will expedite engagements with its allies to ensure that the Alliance has a clear path towards the 2026 local elections. Further engagements will take place at the CEC, within Affiliate structures as well as with members and workers, and during our Congress in September 2026.
COSATU’s 8th Central Committee concluded with a resolute call to action - workers must organise, build unity, and mobilise across workplaces, communities and international borders.
The Federation will commemorate World Day for Decent Work on 7 October anchored around cost-of-living issues impacting workers.
As it heads towards its 40th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December, COSATU remains steadfast in its revolutionary mission to dismantle the structures of exploitation and build a socialist future as the only route to equality, justice, and solidarity.
Issued by COSATU
________________________
NEHAWU
welcomes the gazette by DHET on nominations to fill CET College Councils
Zola Saphetha, NEHAWU General Secretary, September 19, 2025
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] welcomes the Gazette published by the Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela to fill vacancies of Community Education and Training [CET] College Councils.
We view this move as a right step towards the transformation of the CET Sector, which has been neglected for a long time. The gazette represents an opportune moment to ensure that there is proper governance, accountability and management of CET colleges across the country.
As NEHAWU, the transformative union committed to transform the post-schooling system, we have been in the forefront in highlighting the urgent need for Government to reposition CET sector for its mandate, which is to ensure access to basic adult education, further education and training and the workplace through continuing education and training.
The task of transforming the higher education sector more, in particular the CET sector remains a critical priority in the holistic transformational project of education band and as such the union will continue to work closely with Minister Manamela and DHET in taking forward objectives of transforming the higher education landscape.
The CET sector remains an essential instrument to respond to the needs and developmental agenda of our society, hence we support the strides by Minister Manamela of repositioning the CET sector to play a meaningful role in the skills development agenda and development of the youth and adults. In this regard, we call for the full implementation of the 2022 CET Summit Declaration.
The union firmly believes in the vision of the South African society, the People’s Education for People’s Power and recognises that education is a societal issue not merely a departmental issue hence NEHAWU supports the call by the Minister and the Department for those in society with experience in governance, community development, education and training to step forward to provide strategic guidance, ensure oversight, and help link CET colleges to the developmental agenda of the country.
Currently, the union is engaged with DHET in a Task Team to ensure that there is progress in the implementation of the settlement agreement post our 2019 TVET/CET strike that covers to mention a few: Infrastructure Development, outstanding pay progression, unpaid REQVs and other issues related to improvement of the conditions of service for workers in CET Colleges.
END
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat.
International-Solidarity
More benefits for ArcelorMittal workers in Liberia as union signs collective agreement
22 September, 2025
On 10 September, the United Workers Union of Liberia (UWUL), an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union, signed its sixth collective bargaining agreement with ArcelorMittal Liberia, marking a significant step towards improving working and living conditions in the country’s mining sector.
The three-year agreement delivers substantial gains for workers, reflecting both the union’s growing bargaining power and the critical role of international solidarity in supporting Liberia’s labour movement. The deal comes at a time when Liberia’s economy, heavily reliant on extractive industries, faces pressure to balance corporate profitability with equitable wealth distribution.
The new CBA includes a 14.5 per cent salary increase for ArcelorMittal Liberia’s workforce, a notable achievement given the inflationary pressures that have eroded real wages in recent years. Liberia’s consumer price index rose by about 10 per cent in 2024, according to estimates from the Liberia Institute of Statistics, making the salary increment a critical buffer for workers’ buying power. Additionally, the agreement secures a 75 per cent increase in housing allowances, addressing one of the most pressing concerns for workers in the country’s mining regions, where access to affordable housing remains scarce. The company has also committed to supporting homeownership for workers.
Further, the CBA introduces 15 days of annual leave without salary deductions, a significant improvement in work-life balance for employees. The inclusion of five days of paternity leave signals a progressive shift in Liberia’s labour landscape, acknowledging the importance of family responsibilities in a male-dominated industry. Health insurance coverage has also been expanded to include workers’ dependents. This is important in Liberia, where access to healthcare is limited, according to World Health Organization. By extending coverage, the agreement mitigates financial risks for workers’ families, a critical factor in a nation where out-of-pocket healthcare costs are high.
The agreement’s success is underpinned by international solidarity. UWUL credited technical support from the United Steelworkers (USW) of the USA, the Australian Mines and Energy Workers Union (MEU), and IndustriALL for strengthening its negotiating capacity.
ArcelorMittal, a global steel corporation with operations in over 60 countries, employs thousands in Liberia’s iron ore sector, a cornerstone of the country’s economy, which accounted for 65 per cent of export revenues in 2024 according to the Central Bank of Liberia.
For Liberia, the agreement sets a precedent for other industries, where collective bargaining remains underdeveloped. The mining sector, employing roughly 15,000 workers directly and supporting thousands more indirectly, is a key battleground for workers’ rights.
“Bravo to the ArcelorMittal workers for supporting the negotiating team,”
says Dave Seneh, UWUL secretary general.
“The collective bargaining agreement is a key tool for improving working conditions at ArcelorMittal Liberia and we applaud UWUL for securing a deal that improves workers livelihoods,”
says 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