Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 23 May 2024 #VoteANC
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY #COSATU has deployed its National Leaders and CEC members across Gauteng to mobilize workers and their families to #VoteANC on May 29 #PoliticalStruggle #ElijahBarayiBrigades #VoteANC #ClassStruggle “Building a strong and united COSATU in mobilizing for the ANC electoral victory” #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
23 May 2024
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
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Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- Media Alert: Report back meeting to the workers, families and the community of Lily Mine to take place on 24 May 2024
- Media Alert: COSATU Gauteng to lead a provincial campaign in Heidelburg, Johannesburg tomorrow (24 May 2024)
- South Africa
- COSATU welcomes ANC's firm commitment to deliver a Universal Basic Income Grant
- COSATU Free State mourns the passing of SACP Deputy Provincial Chairperson Cde Lindiwe Shongwe
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- John Vanderveken
- Ukraine: ITUC solidarity visit
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
Media Alert: Report back meeting to the workers, families and the community of Lily Mine to take place on 24 May 2024
Thabo Mokoena, COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, 23 May 2024
The Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, and the General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), Mr. Solly Phetoe, will report back to the workers, families and the communities of Lily Mine at 11am, Friday 24 May 2024 at Louisville Multi-Purpose, Barberton, Mpumalanga on the progressive agreement to reopen Lily Mine.
This agreement has been the product of extensive engagements between the Department, Business Rescue Practioners, Vantage Goldfields with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and COSATU over the past several years. This has been a painful chapter to over 1500 workers who lost their jobs and most painfully the families of the trapped mineworkers, Solomon Nyirenda, Yvonne Mnisi and Pretty Winnie Nkambule.
We are heartened by the commitment by Vantage Goldfields to resume operations at Lilly Mine which will see many jobs being recreated as well as their agreement to finally recover the bodies of the deceased mine workers.
This will bring long sought relief to their families who have been pained at not being able to bury their loved ones. It will provide jobs to mine workers desperate to take care of their families. It will see stimulus injected into the local community and economy.
Whilst this has been a long and difficult journey, we are pleased that we are finally concluding this chapter and closure and relief can now be provided to the families and workers traumatised by the horrific accident at Lily Mine.
COSATU and NUM will continue to engage with government, the BRPs and the employer to ensure this agreement is honoured and expedited. We thank the Minister, Gwede Mantashe, for his intervention and the relief it will bring to the families and many workers. This is a reminder of the importance of having a government, led by the African National Congress, that understands the needs of workers and seeks to resolve them no matter how difficult.
Issued by COSATU
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Media Alert: COSATU Gauteng to lead a provincial campaign in Heidelburg, Johannesburg tomorrow (24 May 2024)
Louisah Modikwe, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary, 23 May 2024
Leaders of the Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) in Gauteng will conduct a provincial campaign on the 24th of May 2024 in Heidelburg, east of Johannesburg.
Accompanied by the Sedibeng Cluster of the Federation, the members will engage with workers and the community through voter contact and blitz canvassing.
Most importantly, the provincial leadership will lead a picket at a local Shoprite store where young Bandile Shabalala was brutally killed recently at the hands of heartless management after being locked in a cold room for allegedly stealing a chocolate bar.
COSATU Gauteng reiterates its call for law enforcement agencies, the Human Rights Commission and the Department of Employment and Labour to enforce the full weight of the law and that justice is served.
The details of the campaign are as follows:
Date : 24 May 2024
Time : 06:00- 08:00
Venue : Eskort, 1 Prinsloo str, Heidelburg. GP.
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Shoprite Heidelburg Picket and Walk about:
Date : 24 May 2024
Time : 10:00- 12:00
Venue : Shoprite, Ratanda mall, Protea rd, Ratanda, Heidelburg. GP
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
For more information please contact:
Louisah Modikwe
COSATU Gauteng Provincial Secretary 066 182 2402 / 082 297 2659
Amos Monyela
COSATU Gauteng Provincial Chairperson: 079 493 5002
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SAEPU is saddened by the attack of an Emergency Personnel in Gauteng
Mpho Mpogeng, SAEPU President, 23 May 2024
The South African Emergency Personnel’s Union is saddened and more concerned about the on-going attacks of emergency personnel that are happening in the country without any assistance from the department by ensuring that the lives of the emergency personnel’s are protected.
The female personnel was assaulted on the 18th of May 2024 at night where she was dispatched to attend to an accident scene at Union Road at Eldorado Park, she was physically attacked (allegedly) by a well known Head of elections of ANC, who is also a regional director of the city of Johannesburg, Justice Ngalonkulu.
The personnel arrived at the scene, treated and took the patient who is the brother of Mr Ngalonkulu to Chris Hani Barangwanath Hospital. On their arrival, the personnel pleaded with Mr Ngalonkulu to move his car as it was blocking the door of an ambulance and that was the ‘crime’ she committed which led to the assaulting. The personnel confessed that Mr Ngalonkulu threatened and told her that he owns Gauteng and it is easier for him to get her fired from her workplace if she keeps on dragging his name on the mud.
The emergency personnel was admitted at health facilities for proper check-ups and medical treatment. Counselling should be arranged for the personnel by the employer.
We further demand people with higher positions to stop abusing their powers on people who are below their standards knowing that they would not succeed even if they try to take them to courts as they have connections.
END
Issued by SAEPU
COSATU applauds the President's pending assenting to the National Council on Gender Based Violence and Femicide Bill on Friday 24 May 2024
Matthew Parks, COSATU Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, 23 May 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pending assent of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill Friday morning 24 March 2024.
This is an historic Bill enhancing the powers of the NPA by providing for the establishment of an Investigating Directorate against Corruption within the NPA to pursue and institute criminal proceedings on cases of serious, high-profile or complex corruption or commercial or financial crimes arising from the recommendations of commissions of inquiry.
Parliament’s passage of this progressive Bill is yet another important anti-corruption milestone by government, acting upon the recommendations of the Zondo Commission into State Capture. It is a clear signal that under the leadership of President Ramaphosa, that the African National Congress’ efforts to cleanse and renew itself as well as government and society at large, are gaining critical momentum.
The Bill provides for the appointment of a retired judge to exercise oversight over the Directorate’s investigators and who will be tasked to deal with any persons interfering with investigators including those instances of any improper influence or interference, hindrance or obstruction, including political or any other, seeking to hinder investigations into instances of corruption.
The Federation believes this Bill and the establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption will provide a badly needed intervention for the NPA and the state in the war against corruption that has bled the fiscus of resources needed to provide public services to working class communities.
Issued by COSATU
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COSATU welcomes ANC's firm commitment to deliver a Universal Basic Income Grant
Matthew Parks, COSATU Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, 23 May 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the African National Congress (ANC)’s firm commitment to deliver a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG), including finalising a policy and financing framework for it by the incoming Administration.
South Africa, under the leadership of the ANC, has done well to ensure some sort of social relief from the state for 27 million of our most impoverished compatriots. This is in addition to the considerable investments in the social wage for working class communities in the form of free schools in townships, NSFAS support for students at tertiary education, free health care for pregnant mothers and infants to subsidised public housing and transport.
The envisaged UBIG will play a critical role in ensuring that no South African is left without any source of income. COSATU has championed the current Special Relief Dispensation (SRD) Grant as the foundation of a UBIG.
Whilst we welcome these progressive strides towards achieving comprehensive social security, it is critical that these be partnered with skills development and employment programmes to ensure that we reverse the current two to one ratio between persons receiving financial support from the state to those employed in the economy.
It is also important that a progressive road map be put in place over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to ensure the SRD and the Child Support Grants in particular are raised to the Food Poverty Line.
Each administration has delivered upon a key social-economic policy objective. The outgoing administration led by President Cyril Ramaphosa has shown great fortitude and achieved the National Minimum Wage, the COVID-19 social and economic relief package, the SRD, Presidential Employment Stimulus and more recently the National Health Insurance Act.
We look forward to the incoming 7th Administration led by President Ramaphosa not only building the NHI but also the UBIG and laying the foundation for comprehensive social security. These are the pillars for a caring society and a better life for all.
Issued
by COSATU
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COSATU Free State mourns the passing of SACP Deputy Provincial Chairperson Cde Lindiwe Shongwe
Monyatso Mahlatsi, COSATU Free State Provincial Secretary, 23 May 2024
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Free State is saddened by the passing of the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) Deputy Provincial Chairperson, Comrade Lindiwe Shongwe. The Federation sends heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, loved ones and her comrades!
It is unbelievable that just last week she participated in the Fezile Dabi Regional Elections Team meeting which was held at the Harry Gwala multipurpose centre in Zamdela. She was her usual self, nothing could have prepared us for the shocking news of her sudden passing.
She will always be remembered as the brave comrade who accepted the challenge of being the first ever Mayor to be elected on the ticket of the SACP in the country. She will be remembered for her efforts to bring about stability in the municipality which had been marred with differences following the historic Metsimaholo strike.
Comrade Lindiwe was a dependable comrade who tirelessly committed herself to the activities of the Federation and the Alliance. She left an indelible mark in the struggle for the advancement of our people.
May her soul rest in eternal peace alongside those of her elders and those of other revolutionaries who left before her. She has fought her battle and won. It is our responsibility to pick up the baton and continue with the race, for the National Democratic Revolution has just started, it has not finished its course yet!
The struggle continues!
Issued by COSATU Free State
International-Solidarity
John Vanderveken
23 May 2024
The ITUC mourns the passing of former General Secretary of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) John Vanderveken, who has died at the age of 94.
Johnny, as he was fondly known among colleagues and comrades, began working at the ICFTU in 1951. He then studied at Ghent University from 1956 to 1960 before returning to the ICFTU to work in the Economic and Social Policy department and in the organisation’s Geneva office.
In 1974, he was elected as Assistant General Secretary, appointed Acting General Secretary in 1982 and elected as General Secretary in 1983. He retired from the ICFTU in 1992.
“Johnny will be remembered as a highly committed and talented international trade union leader, and as a mentor to many, who led the ICFTU with great distinction. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and those close to him,” said Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary.
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Ukraine: ITUC solidarity visit
21 May 2024
An ITUC delegation led by General Secretary Luc Triangle has been in Ukraine to reaffirm the global trade union movement’s support of workers and their unions in the country.
The group included Christy Hoffman (General Secretary UNI-Global Union), Atle Hoie (General Secretary, IndustriALL Global Union) and Paul Nowak (General Secretary TUC-UK).
Luc Triangle said: “We are in Ukraine to reaffirm that we all stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian people. The brutal and illegal invasion by Russia can never be justified, and we condemn this aggression, the violence and the killings in the strongest possible terms.
“Thousands have been killed, many more have been forced to flee, and thousands more live in areas temporarily occupied by the aggressor where violations of international law, including the right to freely choose one’s trade union, are a daily reality.
“In this context, the efforts of the Ukrainian unions to provide vital humanitarian support have been amazing. They stand as pillars of resilience and hope, organising crucial assistance. We stand by their side in their fight for freedom, justice and democracy.
Support for workers in danger
As a show of solidarity for workers risking their lives daily, the delegation visited a power plant severely damaged by a Russian missile strike where they met workers and their union representatives. Luc Triangle commented: “What happened here is a clear example of targeting essential infrastructure and making daily life more difficult. Working people in Ukraine and their unions are making extraordinary efforts.
“They maintain vital services, energy, supplies for cities and citizens. As they work, they are risking their lives as the Russian military continues to attack civilian sites. The power plant is one of hundreds of workplaces where Ukrainian workers make a heroic stand every day.”
These frequent attacks on workplaces increase the need for psycho-social aid to workers and people.
To hear what the war means to them and their members, and discuss their concerns about new government labour legislation, the delegation met with delegates from the two ITUC Ukrainian affiliates, the FPU and the KVPU.
Anti-union policies
The ITUC regrets and has voiced strong objections against the Ukrainian government’s exploitation of martial law to impose policies that undermine basic worker and trade union rights. These changes include undermining collective bargaining, fewer protections in the hiring and firing process, and disruption to social dialogue processes.
The delegation met with senior politicians at the parliament to discuss these issues, including Oleksandr Kornienko (First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament)) and Yulia Tymoshenko (Former Prime Minister, current leader of the opposition).
Decent work in reconstruction
The group then visited the ILO office in Kyiv and expressed full support for the ILO’s work in Ukraine to ensure that the principles of decent work are central to international efforts to rebuild the country.
The ITUC delegation said: “Workers’ rights must be prioritised. The government should look at the work of the ILO to embed fair labour practices into the foundation of Ukraine’s post-war recovery to establish a resilient, fair and equitable labour market.”
In an exchange with the leaders of the Employers’ Federations of Ukraine, the ITUC delegation emphasised the need for full trade union involvement in the reconstruction process and referred to previous Global Trade Union positions.
At the end of the mission, the delegation visited Ohmatdyt, Ukraine’s biggest children’s hospital where most of the patients are being treated for the effects of the war. The ITUC delegation paid tribute to the outstanding daily work of the medical staff and emergency workers helping the most vulnerable victims of this unacceptable aggression.
Luc Triangle concluded: “The ITUC will continue to condemn the Russian aggression against a free and independent Ukraine. There is no justification for this war now, in the future or by referring to history.
“The country is faced with more five million internally displaced people, six million refugees that have temporarily left the country, more seven million people living in poverty and nearly 18 million people in need.
“The ITUC stands with the Ukrainian trade unions in their efforts to assist people and workers that are in great need. The ITUC is also with the Ukrainian trade unions as they actively participate to shape a present and a future where workers’ rights are not casualties of conflict but a cornerstone in the journey towards dignity, recovery and stability.”
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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