Taking COSATU Today Forward, 12 June 2020
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY |
Taking COSATU Today Forward
‘Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense’-Maoo
Friday, 12 June 2020
‘Deepen
the Back to Basics Campaign, Consolidate the Struggle
for the NDR and Advance the Struggle for Socialism’
Today is World Day Against Child Labour
COSATU supports the Campaign against Police Brutality!
#Organize against #COVID19 infections Now!
We shall overcome!
Contents
Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- COSATU Young Workers Statement on Child Protection Week, Youth Month and Program of Action
South Africa
- Workers diagnosed with Covid-19 can return to work under strict conditions
International-Workers’ Solidarity!
Ø June 12th : World Day Against Child Labor
- Young Communist League of South Africa pledges support to DIRCO on Palestine
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics
COSATU Young Workers Statement on Child Protection Week, Youth Month and Program of Action
Xolani Fakude, COSATU Young Workers (National Coordinator) and Siboniso Nkomonde (Deputy National Coordinator), 11 June 2020
The COSATU Young Workers Forum has observed, analysed the trends in the country and agreed with many progressive organizations that the COVID-19 has not only abruptly changed
the global economic landscape, but has also sharply and adversely upset the lives of all the working class and workers in the country and global citizenry. It is therefore our firm view as the progressive federation's strata that this change therefore demands
for a rapid review of plans on both the lives and livelihood of every working people and those that depend on them for survival.
It is an open secret that capitalism has never seen health as a necessity but it has always seen it as a commodity. It is well known that since its inception it has a habit of commodifying everything under the sun. Our history as working class is rooted in dispossession, proletariatisation and extermination that is linked with commodification.
This pandemic has directly fed into the already existing triple crisis which our progressive government has not mastered the art of eradicating. We are convinced that activism in this current juncture is the only necessary alternative. Young people should take a lead in reviving Activism. We take this from the wise words of J.F. Kennedy who said, " a society whose young men and women are in a constant state of slumber does not stand to see her true potential."
On Child Protection Week
The COSATU Young Workers Forum notes that in South Africa the 31st May – 7th June is Child Protection Week and that this year it is observed under the theme: “Let us all protect children During COVID-19 and Beyond”. As young workers in COSATU we call for the rights of all children in South Africa and the world to be honoured and observed even beyond the Child Protection Week. It is our well considered view that all children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, free from violence and abuse. It is every child's constitutional right to be taken care of and nurtured in a conducive environment with proper shelter, food and clothing. Hence we demand justice for every child who is victim of sexual abuse, assault, and murder.
It is also on that note that we also unequivocally call for justice for Andile (Bobo) Mbuthu, a 16-year-old boy who was brutally murdered by a mob in Tongaat in the northern part of eThekwini in KZN after being accused of stealing. We are following this matter with keen interest. We draw aspiration from the wise words of our struggle icon, Nelson Mandela when he said “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” We will never get rest until these words find expression with regards to this young boy's matter for if we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much.
We are aware that the COSATU 6th National Congress resolved to develop a plan and campaign for the implementation of parental rights agreements in all workplaces, including paid maternity leave, childcare leave, and childcare facilities. We are working around the clock to remind COSATU and her affiliates that these issues must remain part of the collective bargaining demands. We will work with affiliates' young workers to raise this matter in Bargaining Conferences, collective and plant bargainings. COSATU has also declared 1st June as the day to highlight workers’ demand on subsidised childcare facilities in the workplace, industrial areas, and in the communities, as working parents worry constantly about the safety and security of their children and we are in full support of that. We will work hand in hand with COSATU to ensure that this does not just remain a declaration without action.
June, the Youth Month
In the books of South African history, June is the rich month in the revolutionary struggle of South Africa. June 26th 1952 was once declared by the ANC, SACP and Workers as the Freedom Day after a national stay away that took place on the 26th of June the previous year (1951) in protest of the killing of the people on the 1st of May 1951 by the apartheid regime. The very same June 26th in the year 1955 is the day in which the the Freedom Charter was adopted. It is also well known that June 16th 1976 is the day in which youth of this country took it into the streets boycotting the use of Afrikaans as the first language which resulted in the incumbent Youth Day. Also in June 16th 1985 in Kabwe Conference OR Tambo delivered a paper on the "role and place of youth in society'. It is in this background that we say in this time and age, to be young and not revolutionary is biological contradiction. It is very critical that as young revolutionaries, we intensify our struggle in June in honour of our historical struggle. This month ought to remind us about our revolution, our strengths and weaknesses.
COVID-19 and the Lockdown period has demonstrated challenges faced by young workers, especially essential workers, who had to shelter their families from harm whilst at the same time continuing with their work responsibilities, without support from family members, employers, and the state. We believe that it is essential for the workplace and institutions to provide proper support to young employees, including family-friendly workplace policies, practices, and childcare facilities to minimise vulnerability to children.
Therefore, COSATU Young Workers Forum National Coordinating Committe calls on all its structures to embark on the following adopted program of action: –
- Campaign for the absorption of young workers into the labour market upon completion of internship/learnership program without expectation of more prior experience for available vacancies
as is the case now.
- Campaign against sexual exploitation of particularly young female workers in the workplace and those seeking employment opportunities.
- Scrapping of Historical debt of youngers
- Engage employers to ensure that the pregnant young women workers are protected and given preference during this crisis of COVID-19.
- Ensure that all workers, especially those at the greatest risk, such as nurses and retail workers, are properly protected against the spread of COVID-19
- Continue to fight against school re-opening as long as schools are not ready to receive the students and teachers without exposing them to the spread of the virus.
- Holding Government accountable in ensuring that it starts now to assist the Early Childhood Development centres to disinfect and sanitise to be ready to receive children when it is time to open, with a great focus given to township facilities.
- Revitalise the campaign to demand subsidised Workplace, industrial, farm communities, and mining communities’ childcare facilities to enable working parents to drop their children on their way to work.
- Provision of breastfeeding facilities for breastfeeding mothers
- Work with local authorities in their areas to do an assessment in the farm communities, ensure that the children of farm workers are not left behind
- States and territories must develop childcare- specific COVID-19 guidance to share with their care programs and families
- Fight for the availability of employment opportunities for young employment seekers post internship/learnership program
- Youth Incentives and their prioritization in the anticipated Covid-19 related retrenchments
- Safety of all workers in the workplace during and post lockdown period
- Affordable data
-- Transparency in the disbursement of Covid-19 TERS funds
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Issued by COSATU Young Workers Forum Nationally
Enquiries
Xolani Fakude (National Coordinator)
xolan...@gmail.com
071 355 1566
Siboniso Nkomonde (Deputy National Coordinator)
snko...@gmail.com
073 088 0101
South Africa
Workers diagnosed with Covid-19 can return to work under strict conditions
10 June 2020
The Department of Employment and Labour has noted a number of media reports indicating that Covid-19 patients no longer need to test negative to resume work.
The Department’s Chief Inspector for Health and Safety Tibor Szana said it is not correct that Covid-19 patients no longer need to test negative to resume work.
"In terms on the new directions, if a worker has been diagnosed with Covid-19 and isolated in accordance with the Department of Health Guidelines, an employer may only allow a worker to return on conditions that, the worker has completed the mandatory 14 days of self-isolation, said Szana.
Other conditions are that, the worker has to have undergone a medical evaluation confirming fitness to work if the worker had moderate or severe illness in relation to COVID-19.
Szana said it was vital for the employer to ensure that personal hygiene, wearing of masks, social distancing, and cough etiquette amongst other known best practices identified is strictly adhered to by the worker and, the employer must closely monitor the worker for symptoms upon returning to work.
He said in this instance a worker will be required to wear a surgical mask at least for the period of 21 days from the date of the diagnosis in their interest and the best interest of those around them especially.
The new directive also states that workers who have been in contact in the workplace with another worker who has been diagnosed with Covid-19, the employer must assess that worker’s exposure in accordance with the Department of Health’s Guidelines to ascertain whether the exposure carries a high or low risk of transmission between the workers.
"If there is low risk exposure, the employer may permit the worker to continue working using a cloth mask complying with standard precautions and, the workers symptoms must be monitored for 14 days from the first contact.
"If there is high risk of exposure the worker must remain in quarantine for 14 days, and the employer of that worker must place the worker on sick leave in accordance with clause 27.3 for that period, said Szana.
If employers need further clarity on understanding and interpreting the direction, they must feel free to contact Chief Inspector on 082 883 5737.
For media enquiries contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694
"Please continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations. Stay home, wash your hands regularly and keep maintaining the social distance."
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
International-Solidarity
June 12th : World Day Against Child Labor
11 Jun 2020
Child labor is a negative global phenomenon, a hazardous situation that affects all continents, with less developed countries in the lead, but with no country being excluded.
It is no coincidence that out of the 218 million children aged 5-17 who work globally, 72.1 million come from Africa and 62.1 million from Asia, followed by the United States with 10.7 million and Arab states with 1.2 million, while in Europe and Central Asia more than 5.5 million children are victims of child labor.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the global crisis caused by quarantine imposed on all countries of the world, even more children were forced to child labor, being prey to the appetite of the big businesses, who use child labor to reduce the losses of their profits.
However, the inclusion of children in the workforce is not a phenomenon of recent years, not even of the current century. It is a problem that has arisen since the mid-19th century, when the industrial revolution needed even cheaper workforce. The more some multinationals that rule the whole world accumulate capital, the more urgent the need for cheap workforce becomes.
So today, at the beginning of the 21st century, with all the advance of technology and science that would allow all the children of the world to enjoy their childhood, go to school and have full health care, we are seeing the intensification of child labor and multiplication of children who fall victims of occupational accidents.
The elimination of this outrageous phenomenon cannot be left to the individual actions of some suspicious NGOs or to the proclamation of a World Day against Child Labor. An international observatory which will simply record the phenomenon and the statistics is not enough either. There must be coordinated action, decisive and militant movement, trade unions that will put pressure on the governments of their countries until they stop having minor children in the factories, in the mines, in the large rural areas of the multinationals, that is, until child slavery stops.
The World Federation of Trade Unions, with more than 100 million members from 130 countries, which this year celebrates 75 years of life and action, has a long-standing and permanent demand for the abolition of child labor. However, the class-oriented movement represented worldwide by the WFTU has no illusions that child labor can be completely eliminated without the elimination of the system that produces it: capitalism.
We are fighting for a system without exploitation of man by man, where children will live as children and not as young slaves. We urgently demand:
– Abolition of child labor by law in all countries of the world, with strict fines and closure of the company where a violation is found.
-Funding of Public Education so that all children have free access to the educational system.
-Universal and Free Health Care for all children in all countries of the world.
-Utilization of children’s free time with activities which develop their skills and abilities.
All of the above demands, which are permanent for the WFTU, are not just a wish-list, but a framework of action that its trade unions and friends have consistently served all the previous years and continue until the final overthrow of this inhumane and rotten system that causes all hardships of the working class and the popular strata.
The Secretariat
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ITF statement on complaint filed with European Commission by shortsea and feeder ship operators
11 Jun 2020
Via the press the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) [and its affiliates] has heard about a complaint filed with the European Commission’s Directorate-General
for Competition by shortsea and feeder ship operators.
The complaint relates to the Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause (NSWC) in the IBF Collective Bargaining Agreement. This clause protects seafarers from being obliged to perform dangerous cargo handling services.
The agreement was voluntarily negotiated and agreed upon between the ITF, representing seafarers, and Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), representing shipowners. This clause was negotiated in good faith and the ITF has an expectation that those who employ seafarers
will adhere to this clause in the same way in which they are expected to adhere to the rest of the agreement.
The NSWC aims to improve the safety of seafarers working on vessels by aiding in adherence to appropriate work and rest hours, reducing fatigue and by having this dangerous task completed by workers who are specifically trained for the task.
The Non-Seafarers’ Work Clause does not violate EU competition law.
The ITF, FNV Havens, Nautilus NL and ver.di have recently filed legal proceedings to enforce the clause. The complaint appears to be a tactical reaction to these legal proceedings and seeks to avoid compliance with the NSWC.
The petitioners of the complaint have so far refused to share the complaint with the ITF. Therefore, the ITF cannot comment in more detail.
Contact:
ITF Maritime Communications Manager
mccour...@itf.org.uk
+44 20 7940 9282
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Pressure from ETUC and MEPs win Covid-19 guarantees for workers
June 9, 2020
European workers will benefit from better protection from Covid-19 following pressure from the ETUC and MEPs on the European Commission.
The Commission had decided against putting Covid-19 in the highest risk group of its Biological Agents Directive without proper consultation of trade unions and the European Parliament.
MEPs threatened to use their power of veto over the Commission decision following concerns raised by trade unions about its consequences for workplace safety.
Today the Commission struck a compromise with MEPs on the Employment and Social Affairs committee to accept the classification but with guarantees on protections for workers.
Nicolas Schmit, the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, made important clarifications on the protective and preventive measures employers must take, including an obligation to inform staff in writing about all safety measures being taken.
The Commission has committed to workplace inspections to enforce regulations and a review of the directive to better prepare for pandemics. Schmit also announced a long awaited update of the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work.
Commenting on the developments, ETUC Deputy General Secretary Per Hilmersson said:
“The ETUC would have preferred the virus to be classified in the highest risk level but it’s important Covid-19 is included in the Directive and we welcome the commitment to enforcing the measures and to a future review of the legislation.
“It will give protection for workers but also strengthen the possibility of reducing the spread of the virus at work and therefore among the general population. It is now important that member states put the new measures in place as soon as possible.
“I also welcome the engagement of MEPs on this issue. The statement at the Parliament today shows that the Commission has understood that occupational safety and health is not a technical issue to be dealt with in obscure comitology procedures, but that social partners and the European Parliament need to be involved in an open and transparent way.
“Since last October, the ETUC has called for a new EU strategy on occupational safety and health, so we look forward to be being involved in developing a strategy that helps member states and employers to adapt to the Covid-19 challenges and to fight work-related cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, stress and accidents.”
Read more:
Workplace safety not in Commission’s top 40 priorities despite coronavirus
ETUC regrets Commission decision not give workers highest level of protection from Covid-19
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Young Communist League of South Africa pledges support to DIRCO on Palestine
Dloze Matooane, National Spokesperson, 11 June 2020
The Young Communist League of South Africa [UFASIMBA] has noted the intentions of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to formally request the President of South African, Cyril Ramaphosa, to urge heads of African countries to take a strong and unequivocal stand against Israel’s move on the Jordan Valley and equally to apply sovereignty on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
We pledge to rally our full support behind Minister Naledi Pandor on the intentions for South Africa to lobby heads of African states on the Palestinian struggle against the United States-Israeli imperialism.
Recently, the Palestinian Authority (PA), after the announcement by President Mahmoud Abbas, began implementing plans to end all agreements and understandings with Israel and the United States, including those on security, as a result of Israel's intent to annex parts of the West Bank. As the Young Communist League of South Africa, we remain resolute on our stance communicated through our 98th anniversary message that we fully support the progressive move by the Palestinian Authority (PA) against US-Israeli imperialism.
Both Israel and the United States should be condemned and should be isolated from the rest of the world for disrespecting peace agreements, especially the OSLO Peace Accord. Basically, the accords called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and West Bank and affirmed a Palestinian right to self-government and creation of a Palestinian interim self-governing authority.
Palestine has the right to self-determination and sovereignty. The deliberate imperialist onslaught on Palestine is anti-global peace and has far worse colonial character. The YCLSA condemns Apartheid Israel and the United States for the continued suffering imposed on the people of Palestine even amidst a global pandemic - Palestine remains suffocated in all entrances from land to the sea and access to global aid has been made impossible by the Israeli apartheid government.
Issued by YCLSA
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Peruvian dockers win action on Covid-19, PPE
10 Jun 2020
Dock workers at APM Terminals Callao in Peru have succeeded with reaching an agreement with the company and the authorities for Covid-19 coronavirus testing and fair pandemic payments after five dockers died and more than 35 tested positive for the virus in the last week.
The workers, who are members of ITF affiliate SUTRAMPORPC (Sindicato Único de Trabajadores Marítimos y Portuarios del Puerto del Callao), have successfully negotiated:
- Independent inspection of workplace protective equipment and equipment cleaning processes;
- Covid-19 testing of dockers at APM Terminals Callao every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday;
- A weekly compensation payment of 560 Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) (USD$163) for dockers who are unable to work due to being infected with Covid-19, or who are exceptionally at-risk if they were to become infected with the virus[1];
The result follows early warnings by the union that APM Terminals Callao over concerns regarding protection measures for dock workers. Members had been forced to use the same PPE for many days, and there was an insufficient sanitation at the port facilities, the union says. Workers are thrilled the company has agreed to carry out Covid-19 tests, but the changes come too late for five of their compatriots.
Norberto Farfán, President of SUTRAMPORPC said “It’s a great sadness that we have suffered with our deceased brothers and we are very concerned with the Covid-19 infections in the port due to the lack of prevention measures. We deeply appreciate the efforts of the ITF to help us guarantee our security and we will be demanding that everything negotiated with the company be fulfilled”.
Without testing, more workers and their families will catch the virus, and die. Peru now has had over 200,000 cases of Covid-19, and has seen almost 6,000 people die due to the virus.
Willie Adams, ITF Dockers section Vice-Chair and International President of the ILWU, says the Peruvian union’s campaign received strong support.
“You can’t have a situation where dockers are getting sick at work and taking that virus home to their kids and elderly parents, or grandparents. Companies need to be held to account if they're not providing sufficient protection for workers. One death is too many, and we tragically saw five workers from APM Terminals Callao die from Covid-19. We must act everywhere to isolate and treat any sick workers to prevent transmission of the virus, before we see any more devastating loss of life. I congratulate our Peruvian sisters and brothers on their victory,” said Willie Adams.
The union received strong international support in their battle to stop the infections and deaths at APM Terminals Callao.
Enrico Tortolano, ITF Dockers Coordinator said the ITF’s Dockers section has established universal Covid-19 worksite protocols to protect dock workers. He says this agreement is significant because multinational employers now have to recognise that workers are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace, especially during a killer pandemic.
“Today’s agreement will mean better protection for these key workers in their fight to stay healthy and stay alive through this pandemic,”
“The right to refuse unsafe work remains paramount. Our universal safe working protocols must become standard practice in other big terminal operators. Without a safe and healthy workforce, these multinational companies and the transport supply chain will grind to a halt,” said Enrico Tortolano.
Edgar Díaz, ITF acting regional secretary, added: “This moment it’s essential to demand the strictest security controls to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among transport workers. The workers and their union should be proud of the victory today to defend the health of these workers who are playing an essential role in these times of global crisis”.
[1] This payment is for dockers who worked more 10 shifts weekly on average during the last 12 months with conditions that prevents them from working during the pandemic, according to the definitions set out in Peru’s Ministerial Resolution No. 283-2020-MINSA. These workers will be paid the payment while isolating during the pandemic at their own homes.
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Stop Multinationals from Extracting Pandemic Profits from Public Purse: END ISDS - SIGN ON
JUN 10, 2020
Corporations suing governments for taking life-saving action during the Covid crisis?
By Comms
Covid-19 has led governments around the world to make vital interventions to prevent market failures: renationalising failing privatised services, forcing private hospitals to care for Covid patients, converting manufacturing to produce Protective Personal Equipment. Many of these decisions have been key to preventing more deaths and protecting the public.
Yet the Investor State Dispute Settlement Mechanism (ISDS), built into many Free Trade Deals, allows multinationals to sue governments for exactly these sorts of interventions and force the taxpayer to pay for impeded future corporate profits.
To effectively respond to crises, governments need to have all options on the table. But ISDS seeks to put our democratically elected officials in policy handcuffs: to dissuade them from placing the public interest ahead of private profits with the looming threat of lawsuits and shady legal action.
Law firms who make millions off of such disputes are already holding webinars to line up a wave of devastating ISDS cases resulting from the pandemic.
To prevent this, Public Services International is supporting a letter to governments calling for urgent action to prevent strained public budgets from being further undermined by huge corporate pay-outs.
Instead we must terminate investment agreements with ISDS and promote people-first policy practices.
Will your organisation sign on to this letter?
Background
Globally, governments are taking actions to save lives, stem the spread of the pandemic, protect jobs, counter economic disaster and ensure peoples’ basic needs are met. The level of these actions has been unprecedented in modern times and the need for these actions has been clear.
But the expansive reach of the ISDS system — which allows multinational corporations to sue governments in secretive tribunals outside of the national legal system
for unlimited taxpayer money — could open such critical government actions to claims for millions in compensation from foreign investors.
Law firms are already advising corporations on potential ISDS claims (for example, Shoosmiths, Alston
& Bird, ReedSmith).
Economics and human rights experts are calling
for a moratorium.
Following discussions on global civil society email listserves on investment, the organisational sign on letter has been drafted, accompanied by an annex giving more technical detail.
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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