organisational report on the federation’s ... -...
TRANSCRIPT
Final Draft
Book 3
Organisational Report on the Federation’s Activities
Consolidated Departmental and Provincial Reports
Towards the COSATU 13th National Congress
“Deepen the Back to Basic Campaign, Consolidate the Struggle for the NDR and Advance the Struggle for Socialism”.
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Contents
Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................3
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS....................................................................................................6
1. Organising.............................................................................................................................. 6
2. Human Resource...............................................................................................................44
3. Policy Unit............................................................................................................................50
4. Parliamentary Office.......................................................................................................82
5. Education and Skills Development........................................................................103
6. International....................................................................................................................113
7. Communications............................................................................................................ 151
8. Accounts.............................................................................................................................180
PROVINCIAL REPORTS........................................................................................................ 180
1. Eastern Cape.................................................................................................................... 180
2. Northern Cape.................................................................................................................196
3. Kwa- Zulu –Natal............................................................................................................199
4. Western Cape...................................................................................................................231
5. Free State...........................................................................................................................233
6. Gauteng.............................................................................................................................. 263
7. Limpopo.............................................................................................................................282
8. Mpumalanga.....................................................................................................................301
9. North West........................................................................................................................336
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Executive Summary
Introduction
“…The strength of the working class lies in organisation. Unless the masses are organised, the proletariat is nothing. Organised—it is everything. Organisation means unity of action, unity in practical operations. But every action is valuable, of course, only because and insofar as it serves to push things forward and not back ward, insofar as it serves to unite the proletariat ideologically, to elevate, and not degrade, corrupt or weaken it. Organisation not based on principle is meaningless, and in practice converts the workers into a miserable appendage of the bourgeoisie in power”.
Over the years the federation has been striving to transform itself, into becoming an effective, democratic and innovative organisation under various conditions of struggle. It did this by drawing from its traditions of self-transformation. It had to continuously adapt to new methods, new structures and new ways of working where these will strengthen it and enable it to deal with new realities.
At the centre of these endeavours has been to build and an effective and dynamic organisation. To achieve this federation have worked to ensure that it has clear goals, policies and strategies to achieve those goals, and the ability to implement its policies and strategies. Its policies and strategies had to be appropriate for achieving its goals.
Organisation development experience has taught us that if a union or a federation has clear goals, but no policies or strategies for achieving them, it will be ineffective. If it has clear goals and policies and strategies, but lacks the capacity to implement them, it will be ineffective. If the union or the federation does have the capacity to implement its policies and strategies, but the policies and strategies themselves are wrong, the organisation will still be ineffective in achieving its goals.
To be effective, the federation had to focus on its irreplaceable infrastructure which includes having structures that perform their roles. Policies and strategies had to be developed and assessed on an on-going basis. Work had to be planned. Programmes had to be implemented and monitored. Administration had to work efficiently according to systems and routines. The necessary information had to be available to those who needed it. Staff and worker leaders had to be skilled, knowledgeable, and creative and work as a team. Scarce resources - human, material and financial had to be effectively utilised.
All this work had to be coordinated and executed by COSATU head office through having appropriate staff, structures and policies and processes to execute it at all levels of the organisation. It is in this context that COSATU
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head Office Departments and provinces have become a melting-pot where different resolutions and policies of the federation are brought into a harmonious ,coherent and strategic programmes and campaigns of the federation which continues to send our class adversaries packing and to run for their lives.
Below are reports from COSATU departments and provinces as structures that are at the centre of translating COSATU vision and mission into reality.
The Human Resource report shows that the federation has made every attempt to function optimally despite the challenges. All basic Human Resource policies are in place. Between 2016 and 2018 we have had 7 resignations based on comrades seeking greener pastures, 1 retirement, 1 death and 1 dismissal.
There have been instances where the federation has not been able to fill vacancies because of affordability.
Our recruitment process is open to everyone but the Federation seem to be attracting the Africans more than any other racial groups.
The trend in the age demographics of the staff compliment shows that by 2024 we would have over 20 comrades qualifying for pension and it is therefore important to put in place effective which will include transferring knowledge to the young workers so that we can have a vibrant staff and leadership.
Through departmental work and the work of our provinces, federation has been able to prove Lenin’s to be correct that indeed “the strength of the working class lies in organisation. Unless the masses are organised, the proletariat is nothing. Organised—it is everything. Organisation means unity of action, unity in practical operations. But every action is valuable, of course, only because and insofar as it serves to push things forward and not back ward, insofar as it serves to unite the proletariat ideologically, to elevate, and not degrade, corrupt or weaken it. Organisation not based on principle is meaningless, and in practice converts the workers into a miserable appendage of the bourgeoisie in power”.
A number of programs have been executed based on the five pillars which include the following:
1. Pillar one: Organisational Building and Development which also include Building Unity within the Federation, within Unions and with other Federations.
2. Pillar two: Back to basics campaign- building the fighting capacity of COSATU through campaigns and work place struggles.
3. Pillar three: Heightening the Struggle against Neo-liberalism.4. Pillar four: Shaping the Battle of Ideas and Asserting the Hegemony of
the Revolutionary Working Class ideas making use of; Education, Organising and Media work.
5. Pillar 5 : International work which include International Solidarity
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DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
1. Organising
Introduction
“The character of any organization is naturally and inevitably determined by the content of its activity”- Lenin.
Since the historic 2015 Special National Congress and the subsequent seminal 12th National Congress, COSATU’s work remains anchored on her unshakable founding principles which include worker control , democratic centralism , paid up membership , international solidarity ; unity , one country one federation and one union one industry.
This report will show that since 2015, the federation has remained true to her principles and policies. It will show that COSATU remains a leading militant, radical, uncompromising and a campaigning trade union federation in the country and the African continent in general.
By the 12th National Congress we had dismissed NUMSA when we chose to defend our founding principles than to allow having the federation’s policies being undermined.
Few months later FAWU disaffiliated.
By the time of our 6th Central Committee we had two unions SASAWU and SAFPU, who could no longer comply with the COSATU constitution to be unions in good standing. The membership of these unions (SASAWU and SAFPU) combined was less than 10 000 and many of their members continue to demand remaining in COSATU. This Congress will have to guide what should be done with such members.
As at this 13th National Congress our total membership is above 1, 7 million. Our resolve to stand by our principles has earned us respect and the federation has continued to stabilise since the 12th National Congress. We have held all our constitutional meetings including the 6th Central Committee, which could not be convened in the previous due to internal challenges in the federation. .
Our CECs have become a platforms for robust engagement based on the respect for a principle of democratic centralism which instructs that once a decision has been taken through a democratic process, all are bound by such a decision regardless of different views held in the meeting and all have a responsibility to defend and implement the resolution as theirs.
Many unions have applied for affiliation to COSATU and the CEC accepted the South African Emergency Personnel Union (SAEPU) as a new COSATU affiliate. Many of the unions which have applied are still being assessed
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whether they comply with COSATU constitution. This is coming with its own contradictions which include the fact that some of these unions are break away unions from existing COSATU unions and this raises the issue of one industry one union principle. But it is now clear that more union will still be admitted to the federation and this will require that the resolution on mergers should be implemented with military precision or we will face internal turmoil based on aggressive poaching.
We came to this congress with a new leadership from provinces and the Special CEC has ratified the appointment of new provincial secretaries for their conditions of employment in line with the COSATU constitution.
The new leadership from the provinces is as follows:
1. KwaZulu Natal 14-15 June 2018 Chairperson - Skhumbuzo Mdlalose NEHAWUDeputy Chairperson - Phumlani Duma SADTUTreasurer -Zodwa Mzindle SACCAWUSecretary - Edwin Mkhize Official
2. Western Cape 23-24 June 2018 Chairperson - Motlatsi Tsubane NEHAWUDeputy Chairperson - Andile Ngcaleka SACCAWUTreasurer -Ingrid Luekus SADTUSecretary - Malvern de Bruyn SACTWU
3. Eastern Cape 30-1 July 2018Chairperson - Tabile Kunene SADTUDeputy Chairperson - Nomonde Mthembu NUMTreasurer -Sithembile Mhlana SACCAWUSecretary - Xolani Malamlela Official
4. Free State 29-30 June 2018Chairperson - Motsamai Masukela NUMDeputy Chairperson - Thibogang Thole DENOSATreasurer -Mahlomola Mashoeng SASBOSecretary - Monyatso Mahlatsi Official
5. Northern Cape 04-05 July 2018 Chairperson - Zamani Mathiso POPCRUDeputy Chairperson - Jacques Cupido NEHAWUTreasurer -Platinah Moletsane SASBOSecretary - Orapeleng Moraladi NUM
6. North West 04-06 July 2018 Chairperson -Solomon Lekhu POPCRUDeputy Chairperson -Mxolisi Bomvana SADTUTreasurer -Sankie Molefe NUMSecretary -Job Dliso Official
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7. Limpopo 11-12 July 2018Chairperson -Essob Mokgonyane NUMDeputy Chairperson -Calvin Tshamano NEHAWUTreasurer -Phuthi Mahlaba SATAWUSecretary - Gerald Twala Official
8. Mpumalanga 20-21 July 2018Chairperson -Life Monini POPCRUDeputy Chairperson -Solomon Malatjie NEHAWUTreasurer -Happiness MnisiSecretary -Thabo Mokwena Official
9. Gauteng 25-26 July 2018Chairperson -Amos Monyela NEHAWUDeputy Chairperson -Thabang Sonyathu DENOSATreasurer -Nomsa Mashaba SACTWUSecretary -Dumsani Dakile Official
But we are concerned that there are less female comrades elected into provincial leadership. There is a need for thorough political and organisational induction of what is expected from them, this incude revolutionary discipline which must be demonstrated at all material times.
Major struggles advanced and victories secured by COSATU and its unions since the 12th National Congress
The fighting capacity of COSATU remains at high levels despite the challenges we are going through. For an example the 2017/18 report on Industrial Action released by the Department of Labour shows that the 960 889 working days lost due to industrial disputes in 2017. This represents 1% increase in the number of working days lost from 946 323 working days lost in 2016 with a total of 122 strikes.
The report also shows that the public sector saw more working days lost than the private sector stoppages in 2017, e.g. health and social services strikes. In terms of trade union membership participation, NEHAWU and SAMWU recorded the highest membership participants at 29.07% and 10.01% respectively.
During the year 2015 to 2018 COSATU has made a major achievement by leading the work on the transition from the informal to the formal economy at local level through organising meetings of the Vulnerable Workers Task Team (VWTT). We coordinated workshops with Social Partners that led to the 2015 International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva adopting Recommendation 204 on transitioning from the informal to the formal economy.
After 2015 COSATU ensured that the Decent Work Steering Committee at NEDLAC prioritised the formalisation of the informal economy in the Decent Work Agenda.
As part of implementing the new ILO Recommendation 204, COSATU coordinated a follow up workshop on 20 to 22 April 2016 for the Transition
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from the Informal to the Formal Economy which brought together informal workers, their representative organizations, civil society partners, federations and trade unions organising informal workers. This was the beginning of a process to ensure a holistic and inclusive participation of all relevant stakeholders in ensuring the transition to formality in South Africa within the framework of Recommendation 204.
COSATU participated and coordinated with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Tripartite Constituents a workshop convened a to discuss the implementation of Recommendation 204 (R204). R204 is focused on the transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy in South Africa. There was approximately ninety representatives from Labour, Community and Government (National, Provincial & Local), gathered at Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg – Johannesburg, South Africa.
The purpose of the workshop was to share knowledge and experiences on the implementation of R204 and build consensus on the roadmap towards integrated programmes needed for the facilitation of transitioning to formality. In addition, the workshop set the tone for the development of a National Strategy on Formalisation for South Africa.
COSATU coordinated preparations for the Dialogue on the ILO Recommendation 204 held in Durban, KZN on 26 to 28 March 2018. The federation was represented by 25 delegates from the affiliates, KZN Province and 4 Head Office participated under the theme “The Future of the Informal Economy: Towards a Roadmap to facilitate Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy”
Major Achievements for Vulnerable workers covered in R204:
a) The recommendation includes all units of economic activities such as cooperatives, social and solidarity organisations, and also all workers including own account workers, wage workers, domestic workers and workers in subcontracting and supply chains.
b) R204 is a tool to be used by the informal workers to claim their rights, as well as for trade unions and other organisations organising in the informal economy to support the formalisation of the informal economy as part of the Decent Work Campaign.
c) R204 seeks to prevent the informalisation of formal economy jobs.d) R204 seeks to help low-income households; disadvantaged persons
to escape poverty and access work, and put in place labour migration policies that protect the rights of migrant workers.
e) Adequate and appropriate system of inspection extended to the informal economy in order to protect workers.
COSATU programme for June to November 2018 includes rolling out workshops in all Provinces followed up the recruitment blitzes.
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Labour’s way forward on implementing R204 to formalise the informal economy:
a) The organisation of informal workers remains as one of the priorities.
b) There is a need to commit to supporting skills capacity, technology and innovation, in order to serve the needs and development interests of informal sector workers and all workers in general.
c) Building capacity to comply with the legal requirements and decent conditions of Work for all is deemed crucial by Labour.
d) Also, supporting products and activities of the value chain from production to distribution and to consumption would be beneficial to the informal economy sector.
e) Dialogue attendees of future engagements are encouraged to hold stakeholders who committed themselves accountable.
In the last three years the Communications Workers Union undertook the following battles in which it secures major victories:
a) CWU obo Madel and 39 Others vs MTN (Pty) Ltd, Tlhafang Placements (Pty) Ltd, Quest staffing solutions, Mathibe Staffing Solutions cc, TPG Consulting, New Age Placement Solutions and Motonyane Staffing Solution CC. Case Number: GAJB : 14378-16
In 2015 Communication Workers Union embarked on an 8 weeks long strike at MTN against the use of labour brokers. The employer signed an agreement to convert all the “so called” casual workers into permanent positions. However, MTN then dismissed some workers who were working as casual workers by various labour brokers. Indirectly these workers were initially dismissed by the labour brokers
The union referred the dispute on behalf of 60 employees against the Labour brokers and MTN. At the outset, the advocate of the employers challenged the union to prove that the employees were members in good standing, since these workers were not paying any dues to the union, because of their employment arrangement. The employer lost that argument. In addition, CWU argued that, MTN was liable for the dismissal of these workers. This was in line with interpretation of Sec 198(3) (b) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.
CCMA ruled in favour of Communication Workers Union. CCMA further ordered that, workers be paid an amount of R 1. 934 352 00 plus R71 984 00 for three employees who were earning R8 998 (x8) months’ salary.
The heartless employer MTN took the matter on review but after realising that they had no chance to win the case, they have recently withdrawn their appeal.
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The ruling effectively means that the Primarily employer is an actual employer and accountable for workers employed in terms of Sec 198(3)(b) of LRA Act 66 of 95 amended from time to time.
b) The Public Broadcaster Funding Model
The dangers of the Public Broadcaster not having a reliable funding, it will be dependent on commercial revenue for survival. In other words, the Business will drive the public broadcaster’s agenda, at the expense of those who don’t own means of production.
Ours is to strive and unashamedly campaign for a public broadcaster that is working class oriented. That will be at the driving seat of creating local employment and creating business opportunity within the industry.
We believe that the comprador bourgeoisies have taken the opportunities created by the political rapture at the hype of the state capture phenomenon, to capture the heart of the Public Broadcaster. In particular at the Parliamentary and the Board level. We need to intensify in the streets and elsewhere the campaign of the new funding model for the Public Broadcaster.
c) A Campaign on SASSA Social Grants to be paid by the South African Post Office.
Since 2007, Communication Workers Union has been on the streets – demanding that the Department of Social Development to consider SAPO as their paymaster agency
Finally, the Government has acceded to this demand and over 8000 SAPO retails are considered. However, there are some challenges with regards to smooth running of this program including skills and development of workers and the upgrade of the IT infrastructure.
d) Post Office to deliver text books to public schools
Not all Provincial Government had heeded this clarion call.
e) Post Office being used as an agent to deliver medicine for the mostly disadvantage living with chronic diseases i.e. in the rural out scats, disable and bedridden patience
The state has opted to utilize private sector to deliver medication. The latest being a so-called “ATM Pharmacy” which was piloted in Alexandra. We were taken aback by our government opting for the private sector, instead of using its own institution to deliver such a service. This will assist us in making the NHI program “going digital”. This innovation was suggested by workers in 2007 already
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f) ANN7/ AFRO VIEW Possible closure
In July 2018 Multichoice South Africa (MCSA) announced its intention to shut down the ANN7/Afro view following the scandals linked to issues of state capture. The process was going to leave over unionized and non-unionised 500 workers unemployed.
The union had the following concern
Freedom of press Jobs security
On Freedom of press/media – we question the closure of the TV News channel at MCSA platforms is it not linked to the issues of editorial independency. And reasons given were business model decisions.
On jobs security – over 500 workers were definitely going to lose their employment. We entered into an agreement with MCSA of compelling a new licensee (if it’s a new employer) to absorb those workers into the new employer’s system.
A team to be established as soon as the announcement has been made, with regards to the new licensee.
The team will oversee the process of the employment transition.
The team will also look into the question of minimizing the negative financial impact that might be felt by workers, if the announcement takes longer than what has been anticipated.
Legislative advances and victories secured by the federation
A) Traditional Courts Bill – we strongly opposed the earlier version of the bill previously at Parliament as it essentially sought to establish two judicial systems in the country, did not provide people in rural areas a choice as to whether they want to be subject to traditional courts and place women at a further disadvantage. The new version of the bill was drafted by the department through a task team that included various civil society organisations. Key concessions and changes made include: Seeks to regulate existing courts and ensure they adhere to the
Constitution. Provides for persons in traditional areas to opt out of traditional
courts. Limits jurisdiction to civil issues below claims of R5000. Will fall under authority of judiciary and Department. Requires courts to adhere to constitutional protections of gender and
sexual orientation rights. Courts have no jurisdiction over criminal matters
B) Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill: This bill seeks to strengthen the existing act and fill various loopholes. COSATU welcomed its provisions which strengthen whistle blowers’ protections. COSATU’s proposals were agreed to by the Portfolio Committee and Department which have extended protections to workers (both permanent and
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contract) who expose corruption and in particular to protect their labour rights, e.g. provisions to prohibit their subsequent work place victimisation. It also provides protection to workers from being sued for libel damages etc. when exposing corruption.
C) Labour Laws Amendment Bill: COSATU strongly supported this progressive bill as it is in line with COSATU’s long standing struggles to achieve greater paternity and family leave provisions. This is a private member’s bill provides for 10 days paid parental leave for fathers or a mother (who is not giving birth e.g. in a same sex marriage or partnership) when their child is born. It includes 10 weeks paid leave for a parent adopting a child under two years of age. The other adopting parent would then qualify for 10 days parental leave.
D) Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill : The key changes to the UIF will include:
Increase UIF benefits from 8 to 12 months.
Increase maternity leave benefits from 54% to 66% of salary within the thresholds.
Allow the Minister to increase maternity leave payments up to certain limits if sufficient funds are available without amending the act.
Allow still born births and third trimester miscarriages to qualify for maternity leave.
Separate maternity leave credits from UIF credits.
Provide for reduced time workers under full time UIF benefits.
Cover learnerships under the UIF.
Deceased’ beneficiaries will be entitled to the deceased’s remaining benefits.
Reduce time needed to accumulate UIF.
Allow the Minister to issue regulations for domestic and SMME workers if needs be.
Includes public service employees who would now be covered, e.g. if they are dismissed. Their inclusion will also significantly boost the UIF and provide space to increase further access to it by unemployed workers or mothers on maternity leave.
E) National Minimum Wage , Labour Market Stability and taking forward a Living Wage Campaign
The NMW and labour market stability engagements at Nedlac have concluded. Cabinet is currently processing the bills. The department is engaging stakeholders on it in all 9 provinces. The bills have now been tabled in Parliament.
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The Ministry has asked Parliament to allow a simultaneous NA and NCOP processes to fast track the parliamentary processes.
Once Parliament adopts them, the President will need to sign them, they will then need to be published in the government gazette and the department will need to publish their accompanying regulations. These post parliamentary processes usually take three months. However the department has committed to fast tracking them.
The danger of rushing parliamentary processes is that 1) mistakes can happen e.g. typing errors 2) opponents of the bill can apply to the Constitutional Court to stop and refer the bills back to Parliament on the grounds that there has been insufficient public consultation.
This happened with the Expropriation and Restitution of Land Rights Acts. Such an event would be very dangerous as Parliament will conclude its work for this administration by November 2018 so that MPs can focus on the 2019 elections.
The remaining areas of disagreement between labour, business and government should be dealt with by the Committee of Principals before the parliamentary processes unfold. These bilateral and COP engagements may yield better results than a messy rushed parliamentary process with many stakeholders and MPs reluctant to amend the bills without the go ahead from the department.
Now that the National Minimum Wage will be achieved, the task for the federation is to ensure that we heighten the campaign for a living wage
F) Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill
This bill will replace the National Key Points Act. This act was adopted during the height of the apartheid regime’s suppression of the liberation movement. It has been especially problematic for unions as it has been used by government and parastatal officials to deny union recruitment, organising and whistle blowing at national key points, e.g. airports, ports etc. This particularly impacts upon POPCRU, SATAWU and NUM’s ability to organise at national key points.
Government agreed to all of COSATU’s demands and made the following concessions in the bill. This was a significant victory to protect workers and unions and whistle blowers and reduce the space to abuse they key point law to hide corruption. The concessions given to COSATU at Nedlac include:
It will not interfere with any union and labour rights whatsoever. All labour matters are to be guided by the LRA and BCEA.
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It will not interfere with whistle blowing. This will be guided by the Protected Disclosures Act.
Public consultation processes to be provided for when processing and deciding upon an application to declare a key point.
Such decisions to be made by an oversight body including external experts.
The public must be informed beforehand of such applications as well as afterwards of the decisions. The decisions must take into account public comments.
Parliament must receive annual reports on all key points.
G) Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Bill : Key progressive provisions in the bill include: Substitute the provision of subsidies with tenure grants; Further regulate the rights of occupiers; Provide for legal representation for occupiers; Further regulate the eviction of occupiers by enforcing alternative
resolution mechanisms provided for in the Act; Provide for the establishment and operation of a Land Rights
Management Board; and Provide for the establishment and operation of Land Rights
Management Committees to identify, monitor and settle land rights disputes.
Alternative accommodation is provided to farm workers and dwellers when evicted;
Farm workers and dwellers are able to erect and access graves and tomb stones for loved ones on the farms where they reside as well as to hold funerals there;
Farmers will be obliged to ensure that adequate maintenance of houses accommodating farm workers;
Farm workers will also be empowered to make repairs as well to houses accommodating them;
Ensuring that the family and dependents are protected with the expanded definition of family and dependents in the Bill.
Land disputes and reform can be overseen and dealt with adequately and progressively with the proposed Land Rights Management Board and Land Rights Management Committees.
The proposed provision of legal representation, mediation and arbitration will assist in resolving cases, especially those where farm workers have frequently been abused and had their rights violated.
The department and ministry had agreed to COSATU’s proposed additional provisions to further protect farm workers. However the department then “forgot” to include these in the draft of the bill submitted to the NA. It has now agreed with the ANC study group for these to be inserted during the NCOP engagements. These provisions include:
The Land Rights Management Board to include occupiers, landowners and organised labour and not less than 50% of the
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woman representation.And for farm workers and their dependents to be further protected from evictions by the following insertions:
“An opportunity for genuine consultation with those affected;
Adequate and reasonable notice for all affected persons prior to the scheduled date of eviction;
Information on the proposed evictions, and, where applicable, on the alternative purpose for which the land or accommodation is to be used, to be made available in reasonable time to all those affected;
Where groups of people are involved, government officials or their representatives to be present during an eviction;
All persons carrying out the eviction to be properly identified;
Evictions not to take place in particularly bad weather or at night unless the affected persons consent otherwise;
Provision of legal remedies;
Provision, where possible, of legal aid to persons who are in need of it to seek redress from the courts;
An eviction may not result in persons affected being rendered homeless or vulnerable to the violation of other human rights; and
A court cannot make an eviction order in the absence of a probation report and report from the local municipality on emergency housing.”
Challenges confronting the federation
We know that, if there were no internal challenges in our unions, we will be speaking of a clear demonstrable capacity to render the economy into a standstill.
As comrade Amicar Cabral said that we should “hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories “.
1. Litigations
We continue to be haunted by our past , in that we are still embroiled in litigations and these include ( a) two cases where were are pursuing FAWU and NUMSA to pay our outstanding membership subscription fees which amount into millions of rands owed to the federation. The third litigation is the one of the office incident in which a former leader of COSATU and a staff
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member were involved. There is also a pending appeal on the conviction of one our staff members on hate speech where the federation was standing firm on the support of the Palestinian people. These are issues which we will continue to pursue as part of defending and protecting the credibility of the federation of Elijah Barayi; John Gomomo and Violet Seboni.
2. Declining membership
The federation also continues to be confronted with the challenges of declining membership particularly from the industrial unions.
This trend is also the same all over the world. It shows that trade unions' membership numbers have also dropped dramatically in the rich world over the last three decades. From a peak of 20m members in 1979 they fell to 14.5m in 2013 in America and from 12m to 6.5m in Britain, according to the OECD, a club of mostly rich countries. European countries, including Germany and France, have also seen huge drops in membership.
The decline is largely due to structural changes in advanced economies. Total manufacturing employment in America has fallen from nearly 20m in 1979 to 12m today. The kind of workers who have lost out—in particular, unskilled men—were precisely those most likely to be in a union in the first place. And what has sprung up to replace them, crimps unions further. If you went to a factory in the 1970s, you would have seen assembly lines of people. Such workers were much more amenable to the idea of "class consciousness".
The impact of globalisation has been an increased in the use of technology and mechanisation and this has made it harder for unions to regulate work, the rise of a more flexible service sector, and government policies (such as those imposed by a Conservative-led government in Britain in the 1980s under Margaret Thatcher) and the loss of union clout seems inevitable.
Faced with declining membership figures, some unions have tried to modernise. In Britain, for example, UNISON, the second-largest union, now allows people to join online and has created an app which is popular with younger people. It has also changed the way it markets itself to potential members: highlighting services such as free legal advice rather than just its ability to strike. Instead of relying on “stewards” to recruit new members, it advertises in newspapers and on the television.
But the pace of change in trade unions has often been slow. Several high-profile unions are still run by leaders who prefer staging industrial action as a means of recruiting new members.
This means that membership in the private sector, particularly in America and Britain, has seen a larger drop than that in the public-sector (although the numbers of private-sector union members has increased slightly more recently in Britain). As the public sector contracts, particularly in Britain, that may make the unions even more vulnerable.
This trend is not universal. In some countries trade union membership has grown: Spain, Ireland and Luxembourg have all seen an uptick in members over the past three decades. Meanwhile there is scope for even more growth in emerging markets. Since 1981, when records for Chile began, the number
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of people who are members of a trade union there has more than doubled. Between 1992 and 2013 the number of union members in Mexico increased by 25%.
The global trends also show growth in the public sector unions. For an example in the Canadian public sector union density has increased from 12% in 1960 to more than 70% today. In America it has increased over the same period from 11% to 36% (see chart). There are now more American workers in unions in the public sector (7.6m) than in the private sector (7.1m), although the private sector employs five times as many people. Union density is now higher in the public sector than it was in the private sector in its glory days, in the 1950s.
Even countries that have seen a dilution of union density in the public sector have seen it stabilise at a much higher level than in the private sector. In Britain density has fallen dramatically from 82% in 1979, but has stabilised at about 56%. Reliable global statistics are hard to come by; but evidence from many countries (including Germany and Japan) suggests that the gap between the public and private sectors is both substantial and growing.
This private-public shift has transformed the trade union movement. In the 1950s unions were solidly working class, dominated by men who had left school at 16 and leant left on economics but right on social issues. Today they are much more middle-class: more than a quarter of American unionists have college degrees, and even more have liberal views on social and environmental issues1
In COSATU, our industrial unions have been affected by massive retrenchments particularly in the mining and manufacturing sector and in the process they have lost members. The table below shows this trend of declining members and stagnation:
1 The Economist magazine
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AFFILIATES MEMBERSHIP DURING PERIOD
Affiliates 2015 2016 2017 2018
CEPPWAWU 84,279 84,279 84,279 84,279 CWU 21,243 13,898 13,898 13,898 DENOSA 80,647 80,647 80,647 80,647 FAWU 126,995 LIMUSA 7,771 7,771 7,771 8,195 NEHAWU 277,317 277,317 277,317 275,083 NUM 250,256 192,329 173,375 184,650 POPRCU 156,505 156,505 159,970 159,970 PAWUSA 12,619 12,619 12,619 8,637 SACCAWU 120,352 120,352 120,352 120,352 SACTWU 85,204 85,204 85,204 91,003 SADTU 248,969 248,969 249,359 251,202 SAFPU 592 592 SAMA 7,821 7,934 7,793 7,823 SAMWU 150,923 150,923 150,923 148,215 SASAWU 7,162 5,730 SASBO 66,767 67,944 69,831 68,458 SATAWU 218,014 218,014 218,014 101,458 Total Memebership 1,923,436 1,731,027 1,711,352 1,605,973
3. Challenges in our Unions
The challenge in our unions are also seen by a number of members who come to COSATU offices directly after they have been abandoned by their union and ask for COSATU’s intervention. This is stretched the very limited resources of COSATU and more so, when unions are asked to intervene they either ignore calls or the porganisor simply abandon the responsibility.
The basic which our offices have been able to do include providing an advice on procedures, make an appointment to attend a meeting with the concerned organiser or shop steward.
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Those not belonging to unions are advised and assisted to declare disputes with the employer
We now have a challenge of unions with a membership which is less than 20 000 and experience has taught us that such a unions cannot be sustained. Congress will have to discuss and take a resolution based on an understanding that COSATU is a home of all workers and that all workers should be organised under COSATU. Anyone who is not a member of a COSATU union is un-organised.
Many of our unions continue to be implicated on poaching despite many resolutions instructing them to desist from that divisive, destructive and counter revolutionary practice. This congress will have to confront this reality and take a decision in line with our existing policy on the mergers and super unions.
Our membership racial demographics have not changed and it remains dominantly black and African. We have not been able to make inroads in organising other racial groups particularly white workers into our ranks.
By the time of our 6th Central Committee we had a clear understanding of the depth of challenges we were facing and the task that needed to be undertaken. These included the following challenges amongst others:
a) Weak financial state of the federation caused by unions who undermine the principle of paid up membership
b) A federation which has neither resource capacity nor authority to intervene in affiliates c) Lack of activism across the federation d) There is uneven quality of service given to to membership e) Minimal recruitment of new members f) Declining membership in the industrial unions with a potential of changing character of
COSATU.g) Unchanging demographics in union membership
h) The weak link with affiliates
i) Inability to support or intervene in affiliates,
j) Weak Provincial Structures
k) Weak locals
l) Lack of new Strategies to deal with the changing Workplacem) Business Unionism,n) Non implementation of intervention strategies to identified challenges
Given the gravity of the challenges that were facing our unions , the federation adopted a multi-pronged approach .This included setting a process for organisational turnaround in which two documents attached in this report as part of book 2 were adopted which include COSATU turn -around strategy and building COSATU Engines on the ground .
The second interrelated process included setting up a process to amend the constitution to close the loopholes that undermined the federations work.
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The third one included direct intervention to unions. In this regard, the 6th Central Committee took a decision which went beyond the limitations of the constitution and gave COSATU authority to intervene in unions as it deems necessary. It said that no union had the powers to stop or undermine such an intervention.
4. Work with Unions which have challenges - focusing on SAMWU, SATAWU and CEPPWAWU
Given the challenges raised above the CEC took a decision to constitute a task team to intervene in SATAWU, SAMWU and CEPPWAWU. But the painful reality is that both the SAMWU and CEPPWAWU leadership undermined the CEC intervention.
4.1. On SAMWU
The SAMWU leadership reneged more than once on the decisions which were taken with their participation:
On 29th February 2016, all affected parties from SAMWU met at COSATU House to discuss the challenges confronting SAMWU.
This meeting also received representations from delegates of SAMWU from various regions and provinces across the country.
Decisions
The meeting agreed that the current challenges requires clarity of thought, leadership , political maturity , level headedness , calmness and an undivided focus on the objective of achieving unity of SAMWU.
1. In this context the meeting called for cessation of hostilities in which the following road map was adopted and agreed on the following leading to the Special Central Executive Committee Meeting :
1.1. All Suspensions, expulsions, resignations must be withdrawn.
1.2. The planned Kwa- Zulu – Natal Special Provincial Congress shall be put in abeyance
1.3. All court cases must be withdrawn.
1.4. The president of SAMWU , COSATU president and the COSATU General Secretary will further engage the SAMWU Kwa- Zulu – Natal province in order to get a political solution
1.5. All challenges existing at a provincial level must be allowed to be amicably resolved by the PEC or any relevant structure at that level in line with
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SAMWU constitution. These challenges must be resolved in a manner which unites the union.
1.6. The National Office Bearers of SAMWU shall convene a Bosberaad which will be facilitated by COSATU NOBs. The aim of this Bosberaad shall be to confront and resolve organisational challenges confronting SAMWU.
1.7. The COSATU Deputy General Secretary of COSATU and SAMWU General Secretary will jointly prepare the agenda and notice of the SAMWU Special CEC as a matter of urgency.
1.8. The Special CEC shall receive the recommendations from the Bosberaad as a basis for discussions.
The SAMWU leadership reneged from this decision and continued on a different path from the one agreed to in the meeting.
7th May 2016 meeting between COSATU CEC Task Team and the Affected parties in SAMWU
On the 7th May 2016 the meeting adopted the framework and the terms of Reference on the intervention in SAMWU. It also received a written submission from one of the affected parties and agreed that the others were to make written submissions by the 17 June 2017
Recommendations which were later endorsed by the COSATU CEC
The intervention process was to unfold based on the following phases : (a) Identifying the Source of the conflict and moving beyond the problems and establish a common perspective (b) Identify acceptable solutions by all parties (c) Concretising the Solutions (d) Develop and Action Plan (e) Reporting to stakeholders (f) Evaluating the implementation Process and assessing the Impact
1. A shared framework and the Terms of Reference
All the parties shared the following framework regarding the COSATU intervention:
a) The CEC intervention was a continuation of a process which has long been started by the COSATU NOBs together with SAMWU leadership. Therefore there was a critical body of existing information from which the task team can draw as part of developing sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the union.
b) The urgency to resolve the current challenges in SAMAWU must be located within the context of the heightening international and domestic offensive by our class enemies and detractors directed at the revolutionary working class organisations and the progressive trade union movement in particular.
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c) COSATU unions have become targets of systematic political attacks as part of the agenda to weaken the federation and the liberation movement as a whole and SAMWU was no exception.
d) In the recent past SAMWU has gone through one of the most difficult periods which had the hallmarks of a political attack. This period saw the formation of splinter unions whose dominant posture was to see and define COSATU as their strategic enemy to be weakened and destroyed together with SAMWU. Despite all the challenges, SAMWU is still alive as a union and members still see their union as the only weapon in their hands to advance militant battles for the benefit of members.
e) There is a need to ensure that SAWMU is continuously built into a strong union. The CEC intervention should therefore be seen and located as part of the Back to Basics commitments made at the COSATU 12th National Congress which include ensuring that COSATU unions were strong, militant, radical and campaigning unions who led workplace struggles from the front and have the capacity to link and lead workplace and working class struggles in society.
f) Given its strategic location in the centres of the local state and the fact that over the years SAMWU has demonstrated the ability to influence the content and direction of transformation of local government it has become a contested organisation by many forces.
g) Whilst it is the mandate of the task team to understand the root causes of the challenges facing SAMWU but there is a shared understanding that the union like many other COSATU unions have subjective organisational weaknesses which have developed to acute levels over the years and these needed to be confronted head on and be resolved in a sustainable manner.
h) That the nature of the challenges in SAMWU needed a thorough and comprehensive process which will allow the organisation to get to the fundamental causes of these challenges
In order to understand what is fundamentally at the centre of these problems will require an understanding to the political economy of these challenges. This include but not limited to the extent to which many leaders have had to be investigated and face disciplinary action for corruption relating to looting the finances and resources of the union. In the final analysis the common denominator in the challenges facing SAMWU is money.
i) The current challenges in SAMWU have shaken the unity of the union and that whilst service to members was continuing but this had a potential to limit maximising the needed quality service to members.
j) Comrades from all sides accept the intervention of the COSATU NOB led CEC task team to achieve unity of SAMWU
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k) The union do not belong to leaders but to members
In this context all parties accepted the following terms of reference:
1. This is a political process sanctioned by the COSATU CEC 2. The hallmark of this process shall be respect for the Union and to put the unity of
SAMWU members first. 3. There shall be a cessation of hostilities which include the following :
3.1. A Moratorium on the use of courts 3.2. A Moratorium on suspensions 3.3. A Moratoriums on dismissals
4. Conditionalities to be put aside and these include the following :4.1. Not to use the constitution to frustrate and undermine the COSATU CEC
intervention process 4.2. Recognise all affected parties from National to branches 4.3. Access to the union structures by the task team and all SAMWU affected parties at
a national level. 5. To convene a National Bosberaad 6. To convene a Provincial Bosberaad7. To convening a SAMWU Special CEC which will consider recommendations from the
task team.8. If there is any issue arising which has negative implications or a potential to
undermine the terms of reference such as legal matters , disciplinary issues , unbecoming conduct , etc., these must first be brought to the attention of the CEC sub task team which will be constituted by the COSATU Deputy General Secretary, POPCRU General Secretary , SADTU Deputy President , comrade Timpson Tshililo and comrade Pule Molalenyane.
9. This work was expected to be finalised within one month period starting from the first meeting held on the 7th June 2016.
1. Recommendations
The following recommendations are made based on an understanding that all parties want to achieve genuine unity in the union and that the process of building unity in the union will have to involve the membership. Building unity will not be an event but a meticulous and painstaking process.
1. Recommendation 1.
It is clear that almost all the issues raised by each party have been contested by others. This will require that the Task team should on its own go to the union sub national structures and members to verify the claims and allegations. This means that the task team will conduct random and focused interviews with identified structures and comrades including the comrades who were mentioned in the submissions by all parties as part of the process of getting to the bottom of the challenges in the union.
2. Recommendation 2
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There are issues which have emerged after the adoption of the terms of reference. It is clear that these are issues which happened in the process of undermining the terms of reference which have led to one party placing itself on a more advantageous position than the other to have the processes unfolding in its favour. Whilst the task team cannot ignore nor undermine the court rulings but experience has taught us that the unity of the union would not be determined by litigation but will have to be painstakingly built on the ground based on the tried and tested organisational principles by the leading cadres who are beyond reproach in their political conduct. The current challenges in SAMWU requires a leadership who are firm and are prepared to work as a collective to win the confidence of the membership through their own exemplary conduct.
The SAMWU leadership including all the affected parties must have the courage to explain and seek to convince others of the correctness of decisions taken by both the COSATU and SAMWU constitutional structures even if such decisions are unpopular. These leaders must not seek to gain cheap popularity by avoiding difficult issues, making false promises or merely pandering to popular sentiment.
3. Recommendation 3
Following the information gathering and verification process with the sub national structures the following process must unfold:
a) Convene the union’s extended NEC Bosberaad to present the findings and recommendations
b) Convene Provincial General Meetings to report on the findings to members.
4. Recommendation 4
a) All those comrades who had been expelled by the union should submit appeals to the union, and their appeals would be considered positively by the union.
In this context the CEC further agreed on the following:
a) The positive signs wherein all the parties were agreeing to achieve the unity of the union were encouraging and should be used as a basis to take the process forward.
b) It is clear that the court processes will never deliver a solution to the challenges facing the union and that the CEC task team led political process of intervention towards uniting SAMWU should be expedited.
c) To attach the court decision and the leave to appeal by both parties
d) That the fact finding process as articulated in the report should be led by the CEC task team working with all the structures of the union.
e) The COSATU NOB led CEC task team will work with SAMWU leadership to convene the SAMWU Bosberaad which include all affected parties and will on amongst others deal with suspensions and expulsion and recommend to the SAMWU CEC in terms of its outcomes for adoption .The COSATU CEC will be briefed on the outcomes
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f) That the intervention should include political education to both the leadership and membership at all levels.
Later the task team adopted an implementation plan which included addressing SAMWU members in various provinces. Despite having agreed to be part of these work, the SAMWU leadership never attended any of these meeting , instead they made it impossible for COSATU to address SAMWU members. The federation was only able to convene meetings and address SAMWU leadership in the Eastern Cape and convened a general meeting in Gauteng. But this work could not proceed to other provinces due to non-co-operation by the SAMWU leadership
4.2. On CEPPWAWU
CEPPWAWU had been engulfed by internal organisational challenges for a long time and these challenges have been centred on CEPPWAWU investment. All COSATU led task team interventions were undermined by lack of cooperation.
This led to the CEC taking a decision to take up a campaign directed against any person in the investment company considered by the federation to be a problem. This included a consideration of a process of investigating the advantages and disadvantages of putting the union under administration. The COSATU NOBs were given the mandate to do everything that will save the unions and workers monies.
The CEC had concluded that the challenges in the union are not ideological but influenced by money in particular in the union investment. The NOBs were directed to expose the actions of Mr Isaac Shongwe including approaching the Public Protector, police and the Department of Labour.
COSATU were to address the workers directly and explain the Cosatu position and the importance that CEPPWAWU belongs to members. And that the union should be defended at all costs from those whose intention is to destroy it.
The COSATU NOBs have had various meetings with CEPWAWU leadership to address the status of the union in the federation in which the union owed millions of rands to the federation and to develop a programme to rebuild the union . In each case the union had committed to pay the federation but on the date of effecting the promised payment , this would not be done. In the last meeting with the CEPPWAWU leadership , the COSATU NOBs asked the leadership to submit a report on the state of the union but the information has not been forthcoming. In the meantime , the union continues to be in a state of paralysis and loosing members , with allegations emerging that the divisions are deepening as the union was preparing for congress . There was no certainty if such a congress was going to sit.
4.3. On SATAWU
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a) The state of SATAWU had deteriorated because of factional fight that included the leadership . These internal fights had led to the dismissal of many comrades in the union including the Mpumalanga Secretary comrade Vusi Ntshangase , comrades June Dube and Mphahlele.
b) The leadership of SATAWU at all levels were active participants in engineering the current crisis in the union. The former SATAWU General Secretary boasted and told the CEC that they deliberately and successfully removed comrade June Dube, the former president of SATAWU despite being advised by COSATU differently and mandated leaders and members in SATAWU constitutional structures agreed with all these activities and did nothing when the wrong was happening under their watch.
c) Compounding al the challenges in SATAWU were allegations that the former general Secretary of SATAWU and comrade Gift Ndwandwe ( the provincial secretary of Gauteng ) came to South Africa illegally and were later deported to Zimbabwe.
d) At the time of going to the COSATU 13th National Congress there had been allegation that comrades who were part of the interim committee were divided because of contesting for leadership in the forthcoming National congress of SATAWU were disturbing. COSATU had already advised the comrades that when comrades are elected to be convenors, in the interim committee, they must not stand for election and contest the same positions.
e) It is however encouraging that SATAWU was preparing towards a National Congress as per the court order. The National Congress had been scheduled from 28th February – 3rd
March 2018 but was later postponed for another date.
f) Given progress and cooperation and readiness by SATAWU to be transparent and inviting COSATU intervention, the CEC as part of facilitating progress in the union accepted a request for their debt cancellation based on an understanding that the SATAWU NOBs were to submit a comprehensive report on the state of the union including a plan on the intervention strategies to be considered.
In summary all these three unions many members , with SATAWU alone losing more than 100 000 and SAMWU losing more than 30 000 members based on lack of credibility and lack of trust on leadership.
As we prepared for this congress, new challenges were beginning to emerge in both CEPPWAWU and SATAWU, as they were also preparing to go to their congress. These are all the challenges which COSATU NOBs and the CEC have warned them about in advance but comrades chose not to respect the advice.
SAMWU has had three splits and its crisis continues to deepen including where members have taken a decision not to pay subscription fees to the union account. The leadership of the union continues to undermine COSATU intervention up to this day and in the process the union is loosing members and dying a slow death. SATAWU has also seen itself splitting into three groups which have formed further splits outside of SATAWU but all of them can be traced from SATAWU internal organisational challenges.
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All these unions have common challenges which include fighting for access to resources in the investment companies, financial mismanagement, unconstitutional suspensions and dismissals of comrades; use of courts to settle internal differences; disbanding of structures; lack of service to members, deadly fight for leadership positions etc.
The five organising Pillars of COSATU’s work
The 6th Central Committee adopted five organising pillars as part of implementing our 12th Congress Resolutions, this included the following:
6. Pillar one: Organisational Building and Development which also include Building Unity within the Federation, within Unions and with other Federations.
a) State of COSATU Locals
Almost all our provinces have undertaken a programme to re-launch locals. Some of the launched locals are fully functioning but in many areas these strategic basic units of the federation remain dysfunctional and weak and are not driving any visible programme.
This state of locals can be ascribed to the weak state of affiliates which include lack of visible programmes and support by affiliates , lack of resources and infrastructure, non - attendance of meetings by elected office bearers. This points to a serious decline of activism in the federation generally. In the absence of strong and functioning locals the mass base character of COSATU and the principle of worker control remains severely compromised.
Work Done
COSATU’s focus on Strengthening the Engines and Structures is continuing to ensure that meetings are taking place regularly with improved attendance by affiliates. We are no longer spending time in boardroom meetings but have taken practical steps to address the identified workers challenges by going to work places with campaigns on the ground.
Provinces have spent the last two years building locals and have re-launched the non-functioning locals since we have acknowledged that locals are the engine of the Federation. Locals have embarked on practical action with induction of newly elected LOBs, to make them more functional and effective by initiating local campaigns such as Back to school – adopt a school or child, ensure all children are at schools, providing sanitary facilities and implementing mobilisation programmes to get workers attending Workers Day in numbers, workplace visits for service to members and recruitment.
Decision Point
COSATU to have a special budget focused on Locals where programmes are implemented since department budgets are cut and the locals are not able to function.
All Affiliates to provide their local offices and organisers with the tools for trade since we experience some organisers not able to join recruitment programmes because they
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travel long distances between a number of towns with offices over 200 kms away from workplaces and when an organiser spends one day at the CCMA this compromises service to a number of workers.
b) State of COSATU Affiliates
Whilst some COSATU unions are showing signs of strength, many of our affiliates in provinces are not active. The following negative picture has emerged from provincial reports on the state of affiliates at the provincial level
In the Eastern Cape : CWU , LIMUSA , SASBO , SAMA and PAWUSA are not active In the Northern Cape CWU , SACTWU , SAMWU , SAMA amd PAWUSA are not
participating and SAMA and PAWUSA have never attended a PEC meeting. In KZN SAMWU, SASBO and SATAWU are not active . In the Free State SAWMU is not active. NUM lost about 8000 members and
LIMUSA recruited 5000 members and lost all of them within a short space of time due to weak membership system management.
In Gauteng it is reported that CWU, PAWUSA and SAMWU were not participating in the activities of COSATU
In Limpopo : CEPPWAWU , LIMUSA and SATAWU are not active In North West : SADTU , SAWMU, NUM , SATAWU are under serious attack from
the new federation and CEPWAWU is not active in the province , PAWUSA is only active during provincial conferences and SASBO has little activism in the province.
Work Done
Organising and Recruitment Turnaround Strategy
We are in the process of implementing the Organising and Recruitment Turnaround Strategy adopted by the CEC in November 2016 by focusing on developing and implementing programmes on building the fighting capacity of COSATU Engines through Campaigns and workplace struggles.
The work we are doing on implementing the Back to Basics and Listening campaigns through Workplace meetings has shown that workers still have confidence in COSATU.
The Turnaround Strategy is showing good results in the short term through the support provided by COSATU to our unions that are under attack, those adversely affected by breaks, rivalry, apathy and competition.
At the time of the report SATAWU and CEPPWAWU were ready to hold their long due Congresses, taking place after their drawn out battles and leadership in-
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fightings which affected the service to members. With the confidence shown by workers who tirelessly came to COSATU Offices requesting intervention, their leadership have eventually headed the workers call that they want to remain in COSATU as the workers home. The Federation has also been approached by some break away unions who have requested us to facilitate talks for them to come back home.
Decision Point :
To discuss the best approach during COSATU recruitment drive to address the challenge of COSATU unions organising in the same company/department example CEPPWAWU and NUM, NEHAWU, DENOSA & SAEPU etc. as we implement the recruitment programme.
Affiliates to respect the COSATU Constitution to stop the on-going problem of poaching members already organised by another union instead of recruiting the unorganised workers.
To develop a strategy for organising migrant workers and the best way to handle the undocumented migrants without being seen to be xenophobic.
New Applications for affiliation to COSATU
We have received a number of union applications requesting affiliation to COSATU but most of them are not registered and others were turned away by the Registra therefore not complying with the Federations requirements as National Unions while others are NGOs.
Examples of these unions are South Africa Volunteers and Allied Workers Union (SAVAWU)A letter written to COSATU on 14 May 2018 requesting a meeting to discuss assistance to register as a union that can be able to register and become a legitimate union to represent all volunteers in the country.
This is an organization that was formed by NGO’S volunteers that are known as community home based care members and other volunteers in Mpumalanga that is aimed to recruit members around all nine provinces in the country.
Union Power Movement (UPM) A meeting with UPM leadership led by their General Secretary Rueben Molefe (former Deputy Chairperson of SATAWU Gauteng) and their President Mr Reggy Mashego (Aviation Shop steward dismissed by SAA in 2013).
UPM is a break away from National Transport Movement (NTM) break away from SATAWU led by Ephraim Mphahlela. The Comrades came to COSATU because NUMSA has approached them and offered them employment. Some of the UPM members have joined NUMSA after they were offered employment.
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These Comrades have decided that they rather come back to COSATU. They would like to reconcile with SATAWU therefore request COSATU to facilitate the discussions.
Decision Point :
Congress to guide on our approach to Associations applying for affiliation and requesting COSATU to assist them with registration.
To discourage further fragmentation of COSATU unions by splinter unions formed and applying for affiliation unless there is proof that these workers were not properly serviced in the mainstream union.
Unity and Solidarity support for Affiliates
Solidarity support within and amongst unions has been a difficult resolution to implement but we have seen an improvement by implementing the proposals made in the COCC meetings. The proposals on unity and solidarity are goal oriented and we agreed that this is part of building the federation.
COSATU and Affiliates have continued to release press statements in support of other unions under attack. Unions are requested to submit to the Federation information about their intended actions and cases for support. This is working well and we have seen growing support and solidarity amongst the unions.
Recently when workers were killed at Sibanye Gold a memorial service was conducted during working hours. COSATU coordinated a Picket with a Sit in at the Chamber of Mines now called (Minerals Council SA) offices by union leaders with a huge support by workers from other affiliates. SACCAWU dismissed members case versus Woolworths was also well supported by union leaders and workers at the Constitutional Court.
d) The COSATU Gender Work
The structure embarked on a number of programs, campaigns and activities the main purpose being to implement COSATU’s congress resolutions on promoting gender equality within the workplace and trade union. The initiatives included building the gender structures within federation with the special focus on the Provincial gender structures , mainstreaming gender within the trade union and Federation agenda’s , gender representation, bargaining agendas for gender , dialogues, training, representing the federation in strategic areas , and ensuring that submissions , input are drafted and submitted at the level of policy formulations.
COSATU last congress adopted two key policies on gender equality and policy on prevention, procedure and elimination of sexual harassment in the workplace, position
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paper on maternity protection with a special call and campaign for the Ratification of ILO Convention 183 and Recommendation 191 and further urgently called for the inclusion of the gender structures within the COSATU Constitution (Constitutionalisation of Gender Structure). Whilst the structure has made in routes in most areas more effort has to be done in the following areas as prescribed by congresses before this one:
Intensifying the struggle against the drastically increasing of Gender Based Violence and human trafficking putting COSATU locals at the center of these programmes and campaigns , locating the proposal made by the former minister on women on forming a “ National Council against Gender Based Violence”.
Building capacity and political consciousness on women leaders
Women empowerment and gender equality bill, follow up on the progress towards achieving it and draft submissions
Oppose any legislation that seeks to promote patriarchy such as the recently drafted Traditional Courts Bill and develop programs and campaigns aimed at eliminating harmful traditional practices
Lobby for Commission on Gender Equality budget increase and for a seat for a labour person on appointment of commissioners
Call for a development fund for women to support business and skilling of women to venture sectors such as engineering and maximum benefit for the women in rural areas
Work with organizations that are advocating and campaigning for Decriminalization of Sex work
Federation to take a lead in the transformation struggle and revival of the Progressive Women Struggle of South Africa
To take action steps to close gender wage gaps and continuously campaigning for equal pay for work of equal value
Building capacity for Provincial women leaders and gender coordinators
In 2017 the structure embarked on capacity building for all nine provinces on gender and skills development including transformation in the workplace, with the assistance of the COSATU education secretary / skills officer. The Provincial trail was attended by 100 – 200 women, gender coordinators, gender activists, provincial gender leaders, young workers and alliance structures held under the theme “Combat workplace discriminatory gender norms enhance skills development”.
The provincial dialogues concern were the inequalities that exists in the workplaces in all sectors more especially where most trade unions are organized, as pointed out
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by the report of the 2015/16 of the Commission for employment equity (CEE) that; South Africa constitute 51 % of the population while, unskilled men constitute 59.3 % and women 40.7% of the total workforce; economically active population (EAP) males 55.2 and female 44, 8%. The South African gender pay gap is estimated on average, to be between 15% to 17% which implies that a South African woman would need to work two months more than a man to earn the equivalent salary that he would earn in a year.
The dialogues/conference further noted the none representation of person with disability, across all occupational levels and the persisting snail pace movement on black women on top senior management levels which then totally means as trade union’s labour movement still strongly need to intensify the struggle for drastic transformation in the workplace.
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW)
Commission on Status of Women is an International forum for advancing gender equality and women empowerment was established by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) under a Council resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946. Over the past years the Commission is responsible for:-
Promoting women’s rights Documenting the reality of women and girls living under globally Policy Dialogue and Review Shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of
women
ECOSOC resolution of 1996/6 expanded the commission mandate to take a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the UN instruments and further ensure gender mainstreaming in all UN activities. The following treaties that guide the work of the commission:-
Beijing Declaration and Platform for action 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ECOSOC resolutions Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women(CEDAW) Several ILO conventions that promotes gender equality Regional Treaties e.g. SADC protocol on Gender Equality
For all these years the work of the commission amongst others was to implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which was looking at just eight measurable goals signed in September 2000. In 2015 UN General Assembly formally accepted a new set of measurable goals; “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs therefore included Goal 8; Decent Work and Economic Growth that is more direct to the Workers.
The commission every year in March (International Women Month) hold an Annual two-week session attended by all member states, labour, civil society organisation and UN entities at the UN headquarters in New York. To discuss progress and gaps
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in the implementation of Council mandatory issues as well as emerging issues that serves as a threat in hampering gender equality and the empowerment of women. The member state agrees on outcomes, recommendation and conclusions to be forwarded to ECOSOC and all member states and civil society going back to their countries are expected to implement.
Themes changes every year, in 2017 priority theme was: ‘Women’s Economic empowerment in the changing world of work”; Sub-theme was:” Challenges and achievements in the implementation of Millennium Development for women and girls continuity from the 58th Session (2014)”. COSATU was invited to participate through NEDLAC in the countries consultations for the 1st time after years, the unions fully represented the federation and were able to draft a report on behalf of organized labour which was used as a countries report.
Organized labour did not form part of the delegation as there were still confusions of who is responsible for supporting NEDLAC constituencies as they must form part of the delegation due to Goal no 8 on Decent Work that was adopted in 2015. The leading department is the Women department in Presidency supported by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
2018 Priority theme was: "Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of Rural Women and Girls”; this year DOL has afforded organised labour delegation 1 representative from each federation (COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU) an opportunity to participate, at this moment we are not sure moving forward whether labour is going to be supported in the coming years, as it was a struggle since 2015. The convenors of NEDLAC constituencies should engage DOL minister to guarantee participation at these important sessions for women workers.
Other areas that were discussed in 2018 agenda:-
Attaining the right to an adequate standard of living
Ensuring rights of rural women to land and land tenure security
Strengthening food security and nutrition for rural women and girls
violence and harmful practices against rural women and girls
Ensuring healthcare and sexual and reproductive health and rights
Providing quality education for rural girls and women
South Africa has identified pressing opportunities to be addressed within policy and programming as follows:-
Ensure that women, particularly rural women, are at the center of the programmer for radical socio-economic transformation, and that women have equitable access to ownership, control , management and participation at all levels of the rural economy and across economic sectors
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Eradicating harmful practices, including child marriage, ukuthwala, discrimination against women on inheritance and other harmful practices
Ensuring women's access to productive resources, including ownership and control of land. Women must benefit directly and equitably from land distribution efforts, including land expropriation without compensation
Developing and implementing a comprehensive, gender-responsive rural development strategy
Improve access by women and girls to education including free higher education for those form the poorest households
Developing and implementation gender – responsive national policy , planning , continental , regional and national development goals
Eradicating gender – based violence and the trafficking of women and girls , including the revival of the GBV Council and the finalisation of the 2019-2024 National Strategic Plan to eradicate GBV
Strengthening the National Gender Machinery to improve the coordination and implementation of policies and programmes towards gender equality and women’s empowerment
Increasing efforts on the role of women in conflict resolution and peace building
Recognizing and reducing the burden of unpaid labour , including care work , on women
The minister of women in the presidency held a report back session in May 2018 attended by all stakeholders.
The 2019 theme is: “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”. Review theme: Women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development.
Gender Based Violence
Serious concern on the high rise on the scourge of gender based violence and murder is rising, despite the effort that is made by the trade unions and the federation. The other concern is the work of reducing it is left on the few committed individuals and organizations. It is about time for South Africa to have a Multinational plan to combat the scourge of Gender Based Violence that will prevent violence and also strengthen the Justice system’s responds to GBV.
International Labour Federation in its agenda of the 2018 Conference has put the issue of ending violence and harassment in the world of work on the agenda as the 5th Item on the Agenda. When adopted at that level there will be an International Labour Standard in the form of a Convention or Recommendation that guides the member states to ensure that national legislations are in place.
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As a federation we have been confronted with lots of workplace cases of violence that need to focus our campaign to be strongly directed at the workplace whilst dealing with GBV in general, workers are now not safe in the workplaces e.g. the recent domestic worker visas the Member of Parliament.
It is recommended that there should be a focus on having more male gender champions to heighten the campaign.
e) Functioning of the alliance
Provincial reports are showing that the alliance is functioning in some provinces through the sitting of meetings but there is no evidence of tangible work or programme that is taking place on the ground. This is with the exception of the recent May Day activities in which the alliance in some provinces such as with the national rally at the Eastern Cape was visible on the ground. But there is no evidence of programmatic political or policy work taking place on the ground.
Work Done
The Alliance Political Council has met two sessions firstly from the 8th -9th July and later on the 16th July 2018. It agreed on a number of programmes which included the Reconfiguration of the Alliance , convening the Alliance Economic Summit , the 2019 ANC led Election Campaign , On the Non – Trading holidays ; Health System: Implementation of the National Health Insurance ; Cuban programme; energy Security; Alliance Programme of Action ; Land Redistribution without Compensation ; energy policy and independent power producers ; the Role of the SOEs and their Developmental Mandate; VAT; the Alliance Economic Policy Working Group
f) Establishment of Young Workers Forum
The National Young Workers Forum was launched in a meeting held from the 20th – 22nd April 2018 under the theme “Promoting the Rights and Diversity of Young Workers in the Workplace and Trade Unions”.
All the COSATU Provinces have Interim structures of young workers and most of the affiliates have coordinators or have set up structures
The Draft Young Workers Forum Guidelines and Concept Note were discussed in the meeting and this congress may also have to speak to it.
Committee members elected:
a) Coordinator: Comrade Xolani Fakude from SADTU.
b) Deputy Coordinator : Siboniso Nkomonde from SACTWU
c) Convenor : Comrade Lefa Phatsoane from NUM d) Deputy Convenor : Comrade Morongwa Mothiba from NEHAWU
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Four Additional members
1. Sibonelo Tshabalala from SACCAWU2. Lerato Malatjie from DENOSA3. Makuwa Kgaladi from SAEPU4. Thandi Mrwarwaza from SASBO
The Congress should note that, there has been a slow implementation if the resolution
To establish Young Workers Forum, in some unions. The Federation must still interrogate the duidelines for the Young Workers Forum.
Decision Point :
All affiliates to implement the COSATU resolution to launch the Young Workers Forums. To budget for the launch of COSATU Young Workers Forums in the Provinces in the place of the Interim Committees.
Employment of a full time National Young Workers Coordinator to be based at COSATU Head Office.
7. Pillar two: Back to basics campaign- building the fighting capacity of COSATU through campaigns and work place struggles.
7.1. Campaigns
In the last three years the federation has undertaken a number of campaigns which were coordinated and driven by provinces and these include the following:
7.1.1. May Day
In the period under review, we have had a full house at Moretele Park in 2016 which coincided with the year of the general election. The following May Day held in Mangaung could not proceed due to Alliance challenges.
This year 2018 National celebration was held in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay under the theme “Building Unity and Cohesion of COSATU to Advance the National Democratic Revolution” as guided by the CEC held in February 2018.
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The 2018 May Day is not the first one where workers communicate this statement of a vote of confidence to COSATU. The previous May Days including the COSATU led marches preceding the celebrations send out a clear message that COSATU remains a force which our class enemies and detractors can only ignore at their peril.
COSATU May Day Celebrations were a resounding success and communicated a clear message to both our friends and foes that the Federation of Elijah Bharayi remains popular and loved by the workers.
What was more significant in these May Day events was the practical commitment by the alliance partners in particular the ANC to ensure that the COSATU May Day events were a success.
COSATU message including demands that were echoed all over the country in the marches and rallies touched a nerve not only with the workers but also with the alliance partners who are now keen to see them being discussed and processed through alliance channels.
Decision Point :
a) Funding for May Day has become a challenge by decreasing instead of increasing even though we have resolved to have marches before the celebrations to avoid the use of expensive stadiums, security, and stage and sound systems.
b) Department of Arts and Culture stopped funding COSATU, Department of Labour has reduced May Day funding and some Provinces are no longer supporting May Days unless it is Election Year.
c) Not all affiliates are able to provide transport for their members to attend in huge numbers.
d) Therefore we must find a sustainable way for internal funding, pooling together affiliate resources and paying into the Solidarity Fund.
7.1.2. Workplace visits and Listening campaign,
Leadership are attending workplace meetings to hear and address members concerns, do report backs and clarifying the campaigns of COSATU. It is focused on workplaces to capacitate workers on various Labour Laws and the priority campaigns of the Federation.
7.1.3. Election Campaign
2016 Local Government elections:
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COSATU assessment of the 2016 Local Government elections and the report provided a narrative assessment on how the campaign unfolded. The report noted the declines in the ANC electoral support including electoral losses in certain strategic metros such as Nelson Mandela Bay, the Johannesburg Metro, and Tshwane. The report also highlighted the fact that the majority of people who would have potentially voted for the ANC did not come out to vote. Please see the corresponding report on book 2
As a result of the above, some voters who have been reliable voters of the ANC decided to vote for other parties though others loyal to the ANC decided to abstain and the voter turnout bears testimony to this point. We note the excuse of weather but the truth is the real and loyal members of the ANC would have ignored the weather and go vote ANC if these factors mentioned above were none-existence.
2019 National and Provincial Government Elections
COSATU in the provinces participated in mobilisation of workers and communities for Voter Registration dates held on 10-11 March 2018.
Organising Department is already participating in the ANC Elections Structures;
National Elections Management Team
National Mobilisation Committee
Sectoral Mobilisation Committee
COSATU will be participating in the List Committee
COSATU attended and contributed in the ANC National Election Strategy Workshop held at Saint Georges Hotel on 02-04 March 2018. The Provincial Election Strategy Workshops are rolled out during April and COSATU Provinces have participated.
The CEC held in February agreed on the issues which will need to be canvassed towards the drafting of the 2019 election manifesto. It identified issues that the manifesto towards the 2019 general elections must include.
Organising Department is still to develop a focused COSATU Election Campaign with a programme of action, deployment and structures to mobilise workers to Vote ANC.
Centenary Celebrations
COSATU participated in the development of the integrated programme for Centenary Celebrations of the birth of Comrades Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu. The COSATU programmes such as May Days together with the alliance partners were integrated into the consolidated Centenary programme. The federation should also also celebrate its own leaders such Elijah Barayi, Chris Dlamini, Violet Seboni, Zola Zembe and many others through annual lectures and other forms of celebrating our leaders.
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7.1.4. Recruitment , Service and Retentions of membership
The Recruitment and Organising template plus the Organization Building Template for Reporting by affiliates to be used when providing information required by the Federation was circulated to all affiliates. Presently the Affiliates and Provinces have taken the first giant step towards Back to Basics by conducting visits to workplaces especially those adversely affected by breaks, rivalry, apathy and competition. Leadership are attending workplace meetings to hear and address members concerns, do report backs and clarifying the campaigns of COSATU.
The COSATU recruitment programme is part of implementing the Turnaround Strategy on Recruitment, Service and Retention of membership. We are at the same time implementing the Congress Resolution on Building Organisation and Support for Industrial Unions and Recommendation 204 on Transitioning from the Informal to the Formal Economy.
The recruitment drive objectives are;
- Heightened recruitment drive which will be linked to the Back to Basics campaign to reach out to small and big workplaces ensuring that we aim to be 100% representative instead of just gunning for a 50+1% representation.
- Building COSATU on the ground as a centre of coordination and its affiliated unions. Revival of the Locals structures for servicing members.
- Presently we are planning for a recruitment blitz to target 3 000 members per union across all sectors starting in June leading up to the 13th National Congress.
- Stream-lining it to fit all sectors for shop stewards to take the work forward. To consider using a collective approach to recruitment.
- Going back to basics by listening to workers complaints and retention of membership.
Decision Point :
There is a need to do an improvement of the organising and recruitment turnaround strategy to take into account research done by NALEDI. The question of too few resources (for travel etc.) Note there are large resource costs that come with travelling across a province to rural areas (these would reduce with resident local organisers.
Taking into account;
a) Seasonal labour: The majority of workers are now seasonal; the season can extend for up to 9 months of a year (also impact of climate change). This is especially in the labour intensive sub-sectors: deciduous and grape, W.Cape; sub-tropical: Mpumulanga and Limpopo. Inadequate law covering this (s198B excludes seasonal labour).
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b) Massive labour broking: Andre Blom (a broker?) is like a general with an army that can deploy labour at a moment’s notice.
c) Feminisation of labour: More women are more important in the production process.
d) Off-farm labour: Many workers, including permanent workers live off the farms. Since 1994 there has been the eviction of more than a million people. Now live in the informal settlements attached to small rural towns with poor or non-existent services;
e) International migrants: Increasing involvement of migrants especially from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho.
f) Change from agriculture to hospitality, game farms and leisured spaces: Obviously can’t stay on a farm if there are lions rather than cattle
g) Poor inspection and monitoring means many workers fall below legal minimums.
7.1.5. Socio - Economic Campaigns
All over the world, nearly a decade after the worst financial crash since the Great Depression of the 1930s, wages are stagnating and the benefits of economic “recovery” are going to the corporate elite.
A report on the OECD countries shows that despite the return of average unemployment rates across the OECD countries to pre-2008 levels, “nominal wage growth remains significantly lower than it was before the crisis for comparable levels of unemployment.”
Nominal wage growth has slowed from 4.8 percent per year before the financial crash to only 2.1 percent, less than half. Because of slowing inflation, real wage growth has fallen somewhat less, from 2.2 percent per year to 1.2 percent. But even this slowdown is colossal: a full percentage point per year, over the decade since the crash, accumulates to trillions of dollars in lost wage increases.
In our country the reality of unemployment, poverty and inequality continues to deepen and the cost of living is at its highest.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) figures for the second quarter of 2018 released by Statistics South Africa today are depressing to say the least. The figures show that about 90 000 people lost their jobs in the second quarter of this year. This leaves the expanded unemployment rate at 37.2% according to Stats SA.
Both the formal sector and the informal sector recorded employment losses between first and second quarters of 2018 and the industry that recorded the most job losses was manufacturing which accounted for 105,000 jobs. It is alarming to see both the primary sector like mainly agriculture and the all important productive – manufacturing industries that make up the secondary sector all haemorrhaging jobs at such an alarming rate.
We remain with a reality that 60% of young people between the ages of 20 and 35 are unemployed. This is a crisis.
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As part of responding to these challenges, COSATU campaigned for a radical socio-economic transformation through our demand for a Job Summit. We identified areas for consideration and campaigning including;
An incomes policy in order to address incomes and salaries Proposals on responses to the downgrading of South Africa’s bonds. Amendment of section 189 of the LRA with a view of making it difficult for
employers to retrench workers. Campaign for the transformation of Treasury including Wealth Tax. Reviewal of the NDP Anti Labour Chapters.
Cosatu will be embarking on the living wage campaign to ensure that wages are able to compensate workers for their labour and to sustain a decent living standard and to close the wage gap.
7.1.6. Priority Socio Economic Campaigns
In the last 2 years COSATU focused socio economic campaigns ranging from Free Education, State Capture and Corruption, Job losses and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Targeting of Casual workers and Labour Brokers, Retrenchments and Job losses, Economic Crisis, Campaign against E-Tolls, Total Ban of Labour Broking and Outsourcing, Health and Safety and Non Trading Public Holidays.
In 2017 COSATU campaign against state capture and corruption were a clear and unambiguous statement sent out.
7.1.6.1. Section 77 notices
Below is an assessment of the Section 77 notices submitted to NEDLAC and provides an update and recommendations made on the way forward.
The report covers all the COSATU Section 77 Notices submitted at National and Provincial levels. We initially submitted a number of notices on the issues decided by the CECs.
We secured three certificates for protected strike actions in 2017 on (State Capture and Corruption, Renewable Energy and Closure of Coal Mines and Economic Crisis), while others were said to be non compliant by the NEDLAC Standing Committee and below is the summary on processes, outcomes and proposed way forward.
a) Free Education
COSATU submitted S77 (1) (b) Notice on 20 October 2016
Plenary meetings were held with the respondents.
Meeting held on 14 November 2016 agreed that a declaration should be drafted as a way forward for engagements.
Subsequently a two-aside working committee comprising representatives of the NEDLAC constituencies and the effected parties was established to engage
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further on the declaration and a way forward with respect to resolving the issues.
The working committee convened on 14 February 2017 and agreed that a one-aside to be established to finalise the declaration together with NEDLAC secretariat.
The one-aside met on 10 April 2017 to finalise the declaration. Inputs were incorporated from the constituencies. COSATU requested additional time to reconsider all changes that had been made against the initial declaration.
A meeting was eventually held on 01 August and the declaration was signed off.
At the plenary session held SASCO and SAUS signed off. The Department of Higher Education requested to take the declaration with them for signature. COSATU and other parties are still to sign the declaration.
Achievement made through the working committee established.
Considered the issues outlined in our S77 application, including any other work identified through existing research/reports on the matter.
Signed Declaration including changes by COSATU. Continue work with SASCO and SAUS to monitor the implementation.
b) State Capture and Corruption
COSATU submitted S77 (1) (b) Notice on 17 July 2017.
The first plenary meeting was held on 05 August 2017. We demanded that implementation of the State Capture and Corruption issues must be done within for weeks because this was affecting the jobs of workers. We said all parties included in the report must be prosecuted and their assets be taken away from them. The Respondent said the demand can not be implemented in four weeks and that with regards to asset forfeiture there was a need to obtain evidence in order to enforce that process.
The respondent requested to consult its principals and revert back on 18 August 2017. They failed to respond on the stipulated date and came back on 21 August 2017 but their response was not addressing our demands.
COSATU was issued a Certificate to strike on 22 September 2017.
Progress
We held a successful national strike on the 27 September 2017. An assessment was done at the COCC meeting on 11 October 2017. We made use of the Certificate on State Capture and Corruption for further
activities during October and November months. We submitted a second 14 Days notice to protect Affiliates and Provinces for
the further actions.
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We must monitor the cases on State Capture and Corruption and claim the victory as this is as a result of our demands and the pressure we put on the Government and Business.
c) Renewable Energy and Closure of Coal Mines (IPPs)
COSATU submitted S77 (1) (b) Notice on 21 June 2017
Four plenary meetings were held with the respondents. First meeting 14 July 2017 was postponed due to no chorum. Second meeting held 28 July 2017 where we unpacked our demands.
The respondent agreed that it would do a comprehensive presentation led by the Department of Energy in response to our demands.
Third meeting was held 15 August but their response did not meet our demands. The Standing Committee proposed that there should be another meeting focused on the demands in attempt to find a resolution.
The fourth meeting was held on 06 September and at this meeting the respondent could not agree that ESKOM should not enter into new contracts with the Independant Power Producers.
The Standing Committee adviced the respondent to consult the principals on this matter and revert back before the end of business on the 11th September 2017.
The response received on 12 September after the deadline could not meet our demands.
COSATU was issued a Certificate on 15 September 2017.
Progress
Awarded a Certificate to strike. We have not utilised the certificate secured for a Strike Action. NUM and CEC to guide on the way forward.
d) Total Ban of Labour Broking
COSATU submitted S77 (1) (b) Notice for the total Ban Labour Broking and Outsourcing on 03 August 2017.
The Standing Committee responded to say the COSATU S77 Notice does not comply with Section 77 of the LRA.
We wrote a letter to the NEDLAC Executive Director disputing the Standing Committee’s decision and requested a meeting with them.
A meeting with the Standing Committee was convened on 19 October 2017. We disagreed with them and we agreed to either report the matter to EXCO or amend our Notice.
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On 23 October we amended our Notice with only two demands
- The total Ban of Labour Broking
- The total Ban of Outsourcing
Progress
Legal opinion A Plenary Session was held on 28 November 2017 and we agreed to the proposal that parties must seek legal opinion and revert back within 10 days after consulting our principals.
We reverted back and agreed to get a legal opinion and name of preferred candidate.
The NEDLAC legal opinion said that it would be unconstitutional to bann labour brokers and we are contesting this opinion, the recent constitutional court judgement has laid a good ground to challenge this conservative opinion. .
e) Retrenchments and Job losses
COSATU submitted S77 (1) (b) Notice to Ban Labour Broking on 03 August 2017.
The Standing Committee responded to say the COSATU S77 Notice saying that demand 18.1 to 18.6 were illegal as they were already dealt with by law which was 189 and 189A of the LRA, demands from 18.7 to 18.9 are not of socio economic impact but issues of mutual interest. However demand 18.10 was of socio economic impact.
The S77 on Retrenchments and Job losses was replaced by the application on Economic Crisis S77 below.
We wrote a letter to the NEDLAC Executive Director disputing the Standing Committee’s decision and requested a meeting with them.
A meeting with the Standing Committee was convened on 19 October 2017. We disagreed with them and we agreed to either report the matter to EXCO or amend our Notice.
We than submitted the issues to the NEDLAC Labour Market Chamber for engagement.
On 15 January 2018 we received a letter from NEDLAC saying the issue is closed.
Progress
We have tabled Amendments of the Labour Laws through the NEDLAC Labour Market Chamber.
f) Economic Crisis
The first plenary meeting was held on 15 September 2017 and the respondent agreed to convene a Jobs Summit.
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With regards to the issue of retrenchments to maximise profits the respondent would consult its principals and revert back within a month.
A response from the respondent was not received within in the stipulated time.
COSATU was issued a Certificate to strike on 07 November 2017.
Progress
Government committed to convening a National Jobs Summit within three months through NEDLAC.
g) Water Crisis in Western Cape
COSATU Western Cape Province submitted S77 (1) (b) Notice on the Water Crisis on 02 March 2017.
The first plenary meeting was set for 04 April 2017 was postponed.
Another meeting was set for 09 May 2017 where the respondent stated that the demands would be addressed through a plan to be signed off by the Mayoral Committee and would be implemented in June 2017.
It was agreed that the applicant and the respondent would hold bilaterals and revert back to the Standing Committee with a progress report.
The respondent did not attend the bilateral meeting and the Standing Committee had to intervene and facilitate to ensure that the meetings take place.
Progress
The matter is still under consideration
Western Cape to advice on way forward.
h) Non Trading Public Holidays
The following Public Holidays must be declared non-trading - Freedom Day- Workers’ Day- Election DaysWe have agreed not to submit a section 77 but these demands must be sent to the Labour Market Chamber for engagements.
Progress
The Alliance Political Council has agreed to have this matter processed in parliament for implementation.
7.1.7. Anti – Crime and Corruption Campaign ,
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On the 27th September 2017, COSATU went out and mobilise society into action and drew a line on the sand that enough was enough on corruption and on allegations of state capture.
The Auditor General’s report and the Competition commission had provided alarming reports about high levels of corruption in both the private and the public sector. Allegations of state capture which remained unrefuted had rendered the country’s leadership paralysed and the credibility of the movement as a whole into question. Evidence of state capture is also seen in the revelations of the Davies Commission report that from 1985 to 1992 the South African Reserve Bank provided assistance to Bankorp and, for the period 1992 to 1995, to its new owner, Absa. After the existence of that assistance belatedly became public knowledge, its nature and validity became the subject of controversy which was not resolved.” This bailout amounts to R2, 25 billion given to ABSA bank as part of an unlawful apartheid-era bailout. An action was inevetibale and COSATU as it always does in decisive moments, stood up and organised marches all over the country. These successful marches developed a momenntu which saw the state president being recalled and the new president comrade Cyril Ramaphosa elected at the 54th National conference of the ANC. Botht KPMG and Steinhoff have been discredited and many companies in the private sector are being investigatesd for corruption. ABSA had to agree to pay the amonies which were embezzled on their behalf from the state.
7.1.8. Campaign on the attack against union controlled retirement funds
The federation has been working with SACCAWU and other unions to tackle and emerging trend of having trade union retirement funds being subjected to curatorship indefinitely and in a manner that undermines the trade unions and the workers.
There seems to be a collusion between the FSB, as a regulator and the curators to take workers funds, the case in point, is the SACCAWU Provident Fund, which has been under curatorship for more than 15 years .In the process the curators have been benefiting from this and the federation should lift this up as a special form of collution and corrupt relationship.
7.1.9. Other critical and strategic Campaigns undertaken in the period under review
The federation through the Provinces also coordinates from time to time other campaigns with a key focus on affiliates, workers issues and community struggles of the day such as;
1. International Decent Work Day on the 7th October 20172. National Day of Action against State Capture and Corrupion on the 27th September 2017. 3. Public Transport and the scrapping of e-tolls , campaign against racismin the work place
, 4. campaign for the total ban of labour brokers and outsourcing , 5. campaign against Job losses and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), 6. Comprehensive Social Security,
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7. National Health Insurance, Health and Safety, 8. National Minimum Wage and Living Wage and Non Trading Public Holidays.9. Fight against none compliance on health and safety at the work place in particular in the
mining sector and farming sector 10. The Fight against Racism and Tribalism11. Xenophobic Attacks12. Right to Learn Campaign13. In-sourcing14. Anti-Corruption15. Injuries and Deaths in the work places
8. Pillar three: Heightening the Struggle against Neo-liberalism.
Work on the struggle against neo liberalism has been advanced based on providing evidence and mobilising the working class against the set of policies which turned the working class and the poor into beggars in a country rich of natural resources. Visible socio economic demands have been advanced which included COSATU ‘s long standing socio economic demands such as the living wage , fighting retrenchments and defending jobs, fighting against the signing of IPPs, Demanding free Education ; demanding National Health Insurance , demanding a comprehensive social security system , demanding strategic nationalisation in some sectors of the economy, demanding an accessible , affordable , safe, reliable and intergrated public transport and the scraping of e tolls , the banning of labour brokers , demanding a stoppage in insourcing
Beyond its campaign dimension, the struggle against neo liberalsm has also been advanced based on four fronts , the first front include fighting using the political plartform in the alliance based on our call for the review of the National Development Plan , pushing for the ANC policy conference and the National Conference to adopt working class biased policies . This has also included having to stand up against a push back by the exponents of neo liberalism whch have seen the increase in VAT by 1%, and the appointment of the former minister as advisor to the President of the country on the investment committee who is the greatest champion of neoliberal economic policies and under whose watch major government companies were sold to the private sector. We have also seen the mainstream media alienating academics that are pro working class such as Professor Chris Malikane whose call for nationalisation was described as a voodoo economics by the mainstream media. As a result, the neo liberal free market ideology has become bolder both in the ANC and in government after the 54th conference.
The second front has been to engage in parliamentary legislative battles
We have engaged in the number of bills, the problem is on implementation, we need to debate, what legislative powers are required to force implementation of policies that gets adopted and signed into law but never get implemented.
As COSATU we have been involved in the development of the following legislations:
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5. Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill will be a key developmental planning bill to protect approximately 800 000 farm workers’ jobs and homes as well as to ensure the nation’s long term food security and sovereignty.
6. Aquaculture Development Bill in which COSATU proposals have been accepted which include that the industry should abide by all labour laws and good labour practises; this requirement will be part of the conditions for industry licenses. Organised labour must be included on the sectoral forums. The department can only approve aquaculture import licenses if they will not threaten local jobs and economic growth.
7. Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill – we are contesting this bill which have controversial provisions which may promote the prevention of African languages or admissions policies to exclude African children for example. Some of the provisions are worrying as they will have the effect of disempowering SGBs. SGBs will not have any powers to appoint or recommend educators above level one. This is in response to the Volmink Report which sought to blame unions for the alleged selling of teachers’ posts.
Another key area requiring engagement and significant changes is the criminalisation of activities which disrupt schooling. Whilst this may seek to deal with communities which have prevented schooling during protests, e.g. Vuwani; it will have the additional consequence of criminalising teachers and unions who embark upon legally protected strikes and protests.
8. Border Management Authority Bill which seeks to establish one government organ to run the border posts. We were not able to get the department to agree for it to be a public service department.
9. Foreign Service Bill which seeks to address numerous scandals that have taken place at South African missions abroad where officials have abused their diplomatic immunity to engage in various illegal activities.
10. Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill
This bill has been extensively engaged upon at Nedlac by COSATU and NUM. It seeks to significantly improve mine workers’ health and safety conditions and rights and to ensure that both the mine companies and their contractors take responsibility for ensuring adequate health and safety levels at the mines. The killing workers at Lilly Mine remain a painful reminder of the inhumanity of capitalism and that as COSATU we should never rest but force employers to pay for every lost life.
The Nedlac engagements have concluded. It is hoped that the parliamentary processes will conclude by the end of 2018.
The Health and safety challenges are actually in all the sectors and this include teachers, health workers who are raped and robbed, the escalation in the killing of the police. This is a campaign which should be undertaken comprehensively.
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11.Mineral Resources and Petroleum Development Amendment Act and Gas Bill
This Act and bill have been referred back to Parliament by the President for reconsideration due to various legal and consequential concerns raised by the mining industry and government. NUM and COSATU have had extensive engagements with the NA and the NCOP on the MPRDA.
Other strategic legislations which the federation has engaged and made submission in parliament include the following:
12. Regulation of Land Holdings Bill13. Communal Property Association Amendment Bill14. Communal Land Tenure Bill15. Trade and Industry16. Liquor Amendment Bill17. National Credit Amendment Bill18. National Traffic Amendment Bill19. Road Accident Fund Amendment and Road Accident Benefits Schemes Bills20. Health Promotion Levy (Sugar Sweetened Beverages Tax)21. Public Investment Corporation Amendment Bill22. Political Party Funding Bill
The fourth front is on the international front in which we argue that the Southern African economy was, primarily shaped by and in the interest of colonial (capitalist) accumulation to become the supplier of raw material, cheap labour and markets for the products of the metropolitan (colonial masters) countries.
The main sectors of the economy in the region are mining, agriculture, eco-tourism and increasingly, services. The political economy of the region has not undergone any fundamental changes since the liberation/independence period. Most often, the post-colonial regimes acquired the neo-colonial state and power, but did not change them towards serving a new, democratic and developmental agenda. This led to the further integration of the regional political economy into the unequal and unjust global system as an instrument for the advancement of the narrow interests of the former colonial powers, with the collaboration of the new regimes.
The new regimes inherited and strengthened the very structures colonialism used to oppress and marginalise the African majority, hence the intensification of post-colonial suppression and persecution, accompanied by deepening levels of poverty, hunger, unemployment and inequalities in several of our countries.
The SADC region and the African continent as a whole are naturally endowed with abundant and rich human and mineral resources, which have not yet been effectively and
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properly harnessed, resulting in the current structure of the regional economy, which is based on the derivation and extraction of mineral commodities for export to the colonial (metropolitan) economies, thereby contributing to the patterns of perpetual neo-colonial underdevelopment and lack of economic expansion and job creation in the region.
Some of these massive and abundant natural resources that are the main reason why the Scramble for Africa by the former colonial powers happened, in the first instance, include; diamond, platinum, cobalt, coltax, uranium, gas, iron ore, coal, agriculture products, water, as well as the vast arable and fertile land.
Our work on this front has focused on the following:
The Ecological and climate justice crisis – it is not an accident of history that the destruction of the environment corresponds directly with the model of “development”, prescribed by the model or system we “developing” under, called capitalism.
Fighting for Fair and developmental industrial and trade systems that enhance manufacturing capacity and job creation
The Poverty, unemployment, inequalities and hunger crisis
Fighting the ruthless power of Multinational Companies and corrupt elites
Fighting against racism, national oppression, imperialism and occupation
Building a democratic developmental state, particularly in the Southern African region
Building a broad front of progressive and democratic forces to draw in the widest possible forces against all and every form of injustice and human suffering
Further Work Done by the Federation
Decent Work Agenda
Organising has participated in the NEDLAC Decent Work Committee as a support to the Labour Market Policy Coordinator. Our contribution is in the Recommendation 204 Task Team that is tasked with the implementation of R204 on the formalisation the informal Economy, Future of Work and the Gender dimensions.
COSATU continues to hold Vulnerable Workers Task Team meetings attended by COSATU unions organising vulnerable sectors, Street Traders, SADSAWU, NALEDI, MWASA and we have now included the Organisation for People living with disabilities.
Implementation of R204 on the formalisation the informal Economy
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COSATU has continued to lead the work on the transition from the informal to the formal economy by coordinating and participating in R204 National Task Team set up in NEDLAC and reporting to the Decent Work Steering Committee.
On 20 to 22 April 2016 COSATU coordinated a follow up workshop for the implementation of the new ILO Recommendation 204 on the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy which brought together informal workers, their representative organizations, civil society partners, federations and trade unions organising informal workers. This was the beginning of a process to ensure a holistic and inclusive participation of all relevant stakeholders in ensuring the transition to formality in South Africa within the framework of Recommendation 204.
From the 23 to 25 of May 2017, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Tripartite Constituents convened a workshop to discuss the implementation of Recommendation 204 (R204). R204 is focused on the transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy in South Africa. There was approximately ninety representatives from Labour, Community and Government (National, Provincial & Local), gathered at Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg – Johannesburg, South Africa.
The purpose of the workshop was to share knowledge and experiences on the implementation of R204 and build consensus on the roadmap towards integrated programmes needed for the facilitation of transitioning to formality. In addition, the workshop set the tone for the development of a National Strategy on Formalisation for South Africa.
COSATU coordinated preparations for the Dialogue on the ILO Recommendation 204 held in Durban, KZN on 26 to 28 March 2018.
The federation was represented by 25 delegates from the affiliates, KZN Province and 4 Head Office participated under the theme “The Future of the Informal Economy: Towards a Roadmap to facilitate Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy”
COSATU programme for June to November 2018 includes rolling out workshops in all Provinces followed up the recruitment blitzes.
Labour’s way forward on implementing R204 to formalise the informal economy:
a) The organisation of informal workers remains as one of the priorities.
b) There is a need to commit to supporting skills capacity, technology and innovation, in order to serve the needs and development interests of informal sector workers and all workers in general.
c) Building capacity to comply with the legal requirements and decent conditions of Work for all is deemed crucial by Labour.
d) Also, supporting products and activities of the value chain from production to distribution and to consumption would be beneficial to the informal economy sector.
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e) Dialogue attendees of future engagements are encouraged to hold stakeholders who committed themselves accountable.
Decision Point
a) COSATU to participate in the legislative review task team set up under the Decent Work Country Programme in NEDLAC.
b) COSATU to take a resolution on how to accommodate unions organising vulnerable workers and who are not able to pay subscriptions like our present affiliates e.g. SADSAWU
c) Debate whether integrating unions organising vulnerable sectors into existing unions is the best option looking at the experience of these workers neglected from the mainstream sectors in the unions.
d) Explore the possibility of a special clause in the COSATU constitution to accommodate the smaller / weaker unions e.g. informal workers.
e) Conduct a study on how are our sister unions like Ghana, Kenya and Senegal have accommodated the unions organising informal workers, included them in the structures and what provisions are provided for these unions.
9. Pillar four: Shaping the Battle of Ideas and Asserting the Hegemony of the Revolutionary Working Class ideas making use of; Education, Organising and Media work.
We have spent the last three years working to ensure maximum coverage for the federation’s activities and also to reposition the federation itself to rely on its internal capacity and communications tools to relay its messages.
The priority has been to defend the federation from attacks, re-establish its image as an organization that represents, defends and fights for workers and the poor people of this country. Books have been written about the source of COSATU internal fights and the organisations obituaries have been written by both extreme leftists and rightwing fanatics. This was made worse by the fact that some of our affiliates deserted and some were experiencing internal challenges. To rehabilitate the image of the organisation away from a federation in crisis became a colossal task, with headlines of divisions and corruption inside some affiliates, still dominating the newspapers.
Despite these challenges, over the last three years, there has been a concerted effort to raise awareness among the South Africans and the international community about the activities of the federation and its affiliated unions through the media.
We have worked to mend relations with some media houses and personalities, who were central in sowing divisions and fanning the flames during the period of the troubles inside the organisation. We continued to be a principled voice when responding to topical issues that affect our members and the broader working class. We developed mechanisms to encourage full participation of the workers and community in the federation’s activities
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(strikes, marches) and also developed our communications platforms to educate workers about their rights and also profile COSATU and its work.
We moved away from simple communications activities like the dissemination of an occasional publication or press release but attempted to strategically ensure that COSATU is more purposeful, innovative, savvy, and less reactive in our communications practices.
Rather than sending out information in a unidirectional manner, we have tried to engage in communication with our audience in mind. COSATU has had to grapple with the reality that its members and audiences are getting younger. This means that the federation needs to stay ahead of the technological curve if it is to ensure maximum engagement. While we have expanded our social media footprint, we still struggle to get the elected leadership at all levels to meaningfully participate and utilise this platforms to improve communications.
Affiliates have been struggling with resources and this has led to many of them operating without fully functional communications department. This means that they are unable to claim their victories and also to speedily communicate their messages, including defending themselves where necessary. They have also struggled to participate in the public discourse on sectoral issues and in the process the federation’s head office has been left to deal with sectoral issues without the support of the affiliates.
The federation has also undertaken two critical programmes which are Local Office Bearers Training and the Chris Hani Brigade. We have visited and conducted Workshops in all the Nine Provinces with varying success. In total we have reached a number in excess of 2500. Through the the last Two Congresses we have been urged the Federation to embark on a massive Education Campaign based in the Locals.
This we started in the last two years where we have embarked on an intensive programme as mandated by the Congresses. We have found a very diverse cadre of local shopstewards and coupled with the constant lack of the necessary funds we have not performed adequately on this mandate.
g) Education
Following the decision to have the Education and Skill Development unit merged, the department has undertaken a number of programmes; these included two critical programmes which are Local Office Bearers Training and the Chris Hani Brigade. This included visiting and conducting Workshops in all the Nine Provinces with varying success.
The department have found a very diverse cadre of local shop stewards and coupled with the constant lack of the necessary funds, the work has faced limitations. There is however key challenges that this Congress has to seriously think through in order for us to have an effective and a meaningful educational programme in the Locals. These include the following:
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Lack of Funds vs the Available National Funds.
The Federation and Affiliates have not addressed the problem of the 10% Fund allocation to Education as previously resolved. There are a very few Affiliates who report on such programmes on a regular basis. We have even developed a very tight checklist on ensuring that even when such sporadic programmes are undertaken we can still assert that those don’t emanate from a well-funded and structurally supported programme. This checklist looks at issues like the Existence of a National Programme, the Allocated Funds, NOB responsible, the establishment of the National structure, the appointment of a National Official, POB/ ROB responsible, the existence of the support Provincial structures, the appointment of a responsible Official. The final Monitoring and Evaluation Tool is how the Programme is periodically implemented and what Federation support is required. In many areas we have advised quite clearly that every Affiliate has a Board seat in the SETA and that those Institutions (SETA’s) have an Annual Performance Plans that include an aspect of Worker Education from which trade Union education can also be partly funded. Again very few of the Affiliates take that available legal opportunity. We also at this Congress need to determine whether the SETA Worker Education Funds should be pegged at 5% of the Total Incomes of the SETA’s which amounts to a total of R788 550 m from a base figure of R15 771 b. These funds if well turped and properly utilised are a substantial amount to kick start Worker Education for all workers. They will be an addition to the 10 % Education and Training Budgets that all COSATU unions have committed themselves to. A serious resource that is never used by the Labour Movement generally
Proper Affiliate Shop steward Preparation.
We have come across many COSATU Local Office Bearers who have not obtained the Basic Induction Training from their Affiliates. When we conduct training we only then establish that such Shop stewards have not been exposed to the Collective Agreement between their Union and Employer, Shop steward Duties, Understanding of Organisational Rights and many other basic understandings. When we further enquire we even find out that issues like total staff compliment of the company and current worker challenges are not well understood or articulated and then we wonder how do they then function. We then conclude that this challenge is posing a serious risk to the organisation and the handling of worker issues at the Shop floor
Poor Attendance of training programmes.
One of the key challenges is the poor participation and response of Affiliates in the Provinces. We had contracted with the DHET to effectively touch 6000 Shop stewards and we are unable to do that as comrades fail to pitch for agreed programmes in the provinces. Only Three Provinces have numbers that are always beyond the numbers committed to. They are Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo. For as long as Union responses are based on last minute attention as opposed to longer term planning to Education and Training the benefits of such training cannot be easily realised
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COSATU needs to enforce the submission which is a legal requirement by Trade Unions of the Workplace Skills Plans. These should be scientifically developed through agreed Personal Development Plans of the Staff and other personnel of our organisations. These are the direct conduits to the Worker Education funds as if such funds are received without any clear plans; we will be soon dealing with the issues of accountability. We should warn comrades that since these are public funds there are even stricter rules of management, control, reporting and auditing associated with them in terms of the Public Finance Management Act
Hybrid Model of Accreditation
Whilst our 2015 Plan enjoined us to follow a hybrid model and promote both accredited and non-accredited programmes, the appetite of our comrades is more inclined to the accredited courses. This therefore needs us to investigate the reasons behind such tendencies. This orientation tells us that we have adopted foreign tendencies where comrades are more interested in programmes for their personal as opposed to the broader organisational development. We have now adopted a new strategy that was piloted (albeit without much success) in the Eastern Cape during the May Day mobilisation. We now expect Provincial education Teams to build capacities in various areas and organise Lunch Hour Company Visits and conduct Mass Education. Lunch Hour sessions are but one idea but there can be many forms of mass education. We hope that this method needs to be adopted by all Provinces and Affiliates of COSATU and be directly linked with the mass recruitment and organising programmes
This mass education campaigns must ensure that we reach out to many workers at the same time and promote many activities like May Day whilst at the same time ensuring that common understandings about our rights, campaigns and many other programmes is enforced. At the same time we need to reach out and organise as many members as possible
Whilst this strategy seeks to be in touch with our members it must never be seen as limiting ourselves only to the organised but those who are also unorganised, using the COSATU definition of an unorganised worker. At the same time the strategy will be seeking to balance between the accredited and unaccredited programmes. We also need to engage in other cultural, musical, poetry and other forms of worker education
The trick at all material time is to always seek to hear the voice and message of workers as opposed to having to relate messages to them. This is a different orientation which totally opposed to the normal notions of education
CHB focus
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Except for the Limpopo province we have been weak on the CHB programme. We are turning the tide. We are revamping the Material preparing a major and broader political education programme largely based on the CHB. We were previously restricted on this area due to the lack of funding and the failure to secure long term commitment from our poor and insecure funding streams. The newly reconstituted Chris Hani Institute will come in handy on the CHB. We have already conducted various seminars with the Institute covering many topics. The only problem has been the Johannesburg based programmes as opposed to getting around the country on the CHB programme
Alongside the CHB programme we also will still support short Political Economy courses at both DITSELA and Workers College. We also need to promote broader and mass based Shop stewards Economics programme to be done in conjunction with UNISA and University of Pretoria. We hope to grapple with both the technical economic skills and also the political outlook that is mostly lacking with most of the technically oriented professionals
We will engage in a National Political School that will ensure that the CHB materials are standardised and aligned to achieve our organisational, developmental, and political and compliance objectives. We need to be always mindful that worker education is controlled by the working class regardless of who the primary funder. At the same time we can’t be afraid to use public funds as we are the key builders of the public purse.
This congress must think, as to how can we best shape our political and ideological training to counter the huge economic, social and political effects of neoliberalism? Who are our other reliable sources and Allies except for the SACP, CHI we should be working with?
Skills Development and Transformation
COSATU needs to champion transformation very deeply. Our political orientation demands that we become the even more serious champions. However there are many organisational constraints that inhibit us against such achievements. Amongst these are patriarchy and gender stereotypes. As Samora Machel teaches us “the liberation of women is not an act of charity”. We should therefore learn that such a programme cannot be championed by those who still need to go through that hurdle first. We therefore need a very clear and honest examination of our delegations in terms of gender, sexual orientations, age and disability. We need such examination to proceed to leadership, participation and even general direction of this Congress.
In the 2015 Congress COSATU resolved that regular reports on employment equity be provided especially with regards to gender disparities. We were further
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cautioned that “salary disparities are done away so that women are remunerated equally on the same bases with their male counterpart. We can easily report that employment equity still remains one very critical challenge for the Federation and an area where many other conservative unions still organise against it on the guise that it represents reverse discrimination. What can be observed in the last Five Year reports are the following trends that need the urgent attention of all Affiliates of COSATU and the Federation directly
1. That the Employment Active Population (EAP) has very clear distinctions from the Population dynamics. This means that there is a greater chance that Africans and Coloureds will have less EAP representation in companies even in areas or surroundings where they are a majority. Also that when we only evaluate representation of EAP in predominantly Management, Professionals and Skilled Technicians we find an even lesser representation from the total workforce in companies.
This means that whilst Africans and Coloureds are less represented in companies, such representation tends to shrink further when you only evaluate the Top levels in companies but is higher in the lower levels like unskilled levels. This then becomes the very first problem with employment equity in that it uses an EAP that is totally not aligned with the population percentage levels
2. In terms of Workforce Distribution African Males constitute the largest representation of all Economic Active Population (EAP). They are followed by African Females except in the Western Cape where Coloured Males and Females are in Majority percentage groups
3. White Males are more represented in Senior Management in and receive the higher levels of skills development generally. In 2012- 2016 also more White Females were promoted to Senior Management and received more skills development than all EAP groups but are only surpassed by White Males in both respects. This means than EE has worked more for White Females in the areas of skills development, promotions and Senior Management promotions than all EAP. Therefore White Males and White Females received the bulk of the Senior Management promotions more than any EAP group in 2012-2016. The conclusion is that the countries workforce is still largely lily white at the top and largely supported by a huge army of black workers
4. Whilst Coloured Males lead in representation in the Western Cape, Coloured Males lead in the same representation in the Northern Cape. Indians are in the Lead in KZN and Africans in Limpopo, FS and MP. Whites Males and Females generally lead in the Western Cape
5. Indian Males and White Females were recruited into Senior Management more than their rate of representation in the EAP groups.
Discussion and Decision Point
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How best can we sharpen our Employment Equity representatives to fight this continued scourge of discrimination. Where should we start ? Do we start the transformation drive at our workplaces through shop steward elections and then Locals, Regions, Provinces and or National Structures. Or do we start in the next Unions and Provincial Congresses and what targets do we set for ourselves ?
On Higher Education Funding and the realisation of the fruits of Free Education
This Congress takes place against the backdrop pronouncement of a Government policy on Free Education. Interestingly this proclamation was done on the first of the ANC 54TH National Conference. We however know that in 2018, which is the first Year of such implementation we have not properly enjoyed the full benefits of such a position of Government.
We should remember that COSATU championed Free Education and not Free Fee Education. This means that we viewed the provision to cater for Fees, ACCOMODATION, Transport, FOOD and even Books in Higher Education. One of the key resolutions of 2013 was the speedily implementation of Free Education through the Education Alliance structure that will be responsible for synergising the higher education processes and be accountable to the NEDCOMM. Many of our Affiliates unfortunately still regard social issues like Health and Education as sectoral as opposed to viewing as social or rather class issues without which socialism cannot be easily realised. Such a structure does exist and is coordinated largely by SADTU and NEHAWU who are the two key Affiliates directly affected by issues in the sector.
The reports on these matters have been ongoing. They started with the 2015 Fees Must Fall campaign. These were a direct build up from the Rhodes Must Fall campaigns which were about transformation especially of the Historically White Institutions. The CEC received the State of Tertiary Education reports in 2016. The Reports touched on the Fee Increase related problems. We have started 2017 with TVET Colleges upheavals largely due to poor examination planning and management. The major student demands were funding but where the riots were stronger and have sustained until now it has largely been due to the failure of institutions to administer the NSFAS package and the non-receipt of 2016 results. The 2016 National Senior Certificate examinations have provided a further 441 479 new entrants into the Post School system. This immediately increases the demand for both student placement and deepens the funding in the system. On the other hand Provinces like KZN, GP and WC continue to report admission problems for all grades in the basic schooling system especially with regards to parents who have migrated with their school kids to those provinces. Even in the provinces where such reports are low Metro areas experience such problems of learner accommodation in the basic schooling system. The continued TVET and Universities strike are now having a negative impact on Post School Education and Training sector. The following are clear and glaring problems
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1. The lack of a comprehensive approach to student and worker demands and their presentation in piecemeal approaches
2. The continued hijack and therefore loss of the moral high ground of the student and worker demands and struggles
3. The slow decline of the progressive forces, with them becoming less dominant voices on campuses.
4. The opportunist rise of other tendencies that wish to destroy COSATU structures as opposed to fighting the Bosses as witnessed at UNISA recently
5. The corporatisation of the public institutions symbolised by the management responses which is equal if not worse than that of capital
6. Foreign Academic migration coupled with Vice Chancellors resignations or non-renewal of Contracts. The haemorrhaging of the academic, technical and other skills from these institutions to the private sector
7. The continued growth of NSFAS and the lack of Scarce Skills funding focus8. The rise of the Private Higher Education institutions and their related costs9. The growth of the negative public perception that University students are an
exclusive group demanding more. This is fuelled by the continued destruction of Public property
10. The relegation of Workers demands as Non-Issues
COSATU continues to support the struggle for Academic transformation and Free Education. We however need to discuss more practical support mechanisms to the PYA. Our union NEHAWU is also involved directly in the quack mire
Discussion and Decision Point
Do we think COSATU in general and not only Education related Unions have played a critical role in the attainment of Free Education ? What are the areas of focus except for Outsourcing, Transformation, Decolonisation, Privatisation, Job security and Salary disparities still need to be addressed in Institutions of Higher Learning ?
Basic Education Infrastructure Norms and Standards
On Peoples Education for Peoples Power we resolve that “we should lobby the ANC government to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning by providing the necessary tools”
The Department of Basic Education responded and we engaged and agreed on the Norms and Standards of School Infrastructure at NEDLAC. The Minister of Basic Education needed to apply such standards to all public schools by last year. Many cases of the total disregard of such standards are recorded over the years. They range from the continued existence of the Mud schools especially in the Eastern Cape, the reported R800-R1000 Teacher Salaries in the North West, the Two pit toilet learner deaths in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, the gang violence fights spillages into schools largely in the Western Cape, the 2016 recorded KZN tragic event of the shooting of an Acting School Principal by thugs due to the lack of adequate security as envisaged in such a document. Virtually all provinces report a lack of adherence with such provisions especially for Township and Rural schools leading to the Department defending countless court actions. This means that one
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fundamental aspect of transformation which is equity in the provision will not be catered for. These Township and Rural schools continue to have learner- teacher imbalances. These can at times be extremely low leading to closure or generally extremely high numbers leading to low or no proper discipline and leaner control. They also suffer the lack proper shelter, sanitation, water, electricity, laboratories( both for science practicals and language training) and also enough spaces to provide opportunities to develop both the physical and cultural talents. This is however not factored in the analysis of the results of learners throughout the system
Discussion and Decision Point
At what stage must start for the call to step down of MEC’s and the Minister in relation to the failures of education? For how long should our Unions as opposed to responsible politicians take the blame from neoliberals like Maimane on the failures of the Schools? This Congress should discuss the matter and agree on a clear course of action.
10. Pillar 5 : International work which include International Solidarity
This work has been advanced through the following international Solidarity campaigns:
The struggle of the Saharawi people (in Western Sahara) for self-determination and freedom from colonial occupation by Morocco
The Cuban peoples struggles against imperialist aggression and for the territorial integrity and sovereign self rule against state-sponsored terrorism by the US. This has spread with Brazil, Venezuela and various parts of Latin America as expanded frontiers of US imperial aggression
The struggle for democracy and freedom from royal oppression in Swaziland
The struggle against apartheid and colonial occupation against the Palestinian people by Israel
The struggle for democracy and justice in Zimbabwe
Various struggles that affirm the dignity and freedom of workers, human rights and justice for all
The federation will have to develop exchange programme with the all countries we are involved in solidarity activities , which include , Swaziland , Venezuella , Western SAHARA etc.
2. Human Resource
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Introduction
The report will focus on the following areas:
a) Staff complement
b) Employment Equity Profile
c) Staff Age Profile
d) COSATU Departments
e) Staff Development
COSATU Staff Complement
All the staff members of COSATU are employed on fulltime bases. This part of the report will provide update on employee turnover rates within the Federation for the period of October 2015 to August 2018.
Employee turnover is assessed on the basis of the number of employees leaving the Federation vs. the total number of staff (headcount) employed by the Federation.
The staff turnover is generally stable within the Federation and Comrades voluntarily resign most of the time their reasons for resigning is career development, greener pastures. Between 2016 and 2018 we had 7 resignations, 1 retirement, 1 death and 1 dismissal.
The table below show the movements of staff from last congress to date.
Departments/Provinces 2016 2017 2018
Administrator – WC Resigned
Educator – WC Medically Boarded
Educator – NC Resigned
Campaigns Coordinator – HO Resigned
IT Administrator – HO Retired
Secretariat Advisor Resigned
Deputy Accountant – HO Resigned
Labour Market Coordinator – HO
Dismissed
Public Sector Coordinator – HO Resigned
PA to DGS – HO Resigned
Notes:
WC – Western Cape
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NC – Northern Cape
HO- Head Office
Full complement of staff nationally and provincially - 73
Department Secretariat Department Vacant Total
Secretariat
General Secretary
11
Deputy General Secretary
Secretariat Coordinator
Personal Assistant to GS
Personal Assistant to DGS Vacant
Personal Assistant to NOBs
Public Sector Coordinator Vacant
Strategies Coordinator Vacant
Security x 2
Affiliates Support Coordinator Vacant
Accounts
National Accountant
4
Deputy National Accountant
Provincial Accountant
Finance Clerk
Administration
Administrative Secretary
4
Receptionist
Driver Vacant
Logistic Administrator Vacant
Communication
Spokesperson
4
Shop-steward Editor
Shop-steward Manager
Web designer/Archivist
IT Administrator Contract
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Organising
Organising Secretary
4
Campaigns Coordinator
Gender Coordinator
Administrator
Education
Education and Training Secretary
2National Educator
Administrator (shared)
International
International Secretary
2Deputy International Secretary
Policy
Economist Vacant
7
Labour Market Coordinator Vacant
Trade/Industrial Coordinator
Health and Safety Coordinator
Retirement Funds Coordinator
Social Development Coordinator
Administrator Vacant
Cleaner
3Cleaner
Cleaner
Parliamentary Office
Parliamentary Coordinator
5
Deputy Parliamentary Coordinator Vacant
Legal Coordinator Vacant
Research Coordinator Vacant
Administrator
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Provincial Offices
Provincial Secretaries x 9
27Provincial Educator/Organisers x 9
Provincial Administrators x 9
We currently have 12 vacant positions as indicated above. The Federation is struggling to attract the qualified and affordable candidates and on top of that the financial constraints faced by Federation makes it difficult to fill some of the positions.
Employment Equity Profile
Department Active positions
Male
Female
African
White
Indian
Disability
Secretariat 7 5 2 7 - - -
Account 4 2 2 4 - - -
HR/Admin 2 0 2 2 - - -
Communication
5 4 1 5 - - -
International 2 1 1 2 - - -
Organising 4 1 3 4 - - -
Education 2 2 0 2 - -
Policy 4 2 2 4 - - -
Parliament 2 1 1 1 1 - -
Cleaners 4 1 3 4 - - -
Provinces x 9 27 16 11 26 1 - -
Total 63 35 28 61 2 - -
When we recruit our adverts are open to everyone but the Federation seem to be attracting the Africans more than any other race hence the figures above on the employment equity profile.
Below is the breakdown of race and gender of top 3 levels in the Federation which are:
Secretariat - Top Executive
Heads of Departments - Senior Management
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Technical Experts - Professional level
Secretariat Total Male Female African White Indian
Secretariat 2 2 - 2 - -
Provincial Secretaries
9 9 - 9 - -
HODs 9 7 2 8 1 -
Technical Experts 22 15 7 11 - -
Staff Age Profile
The staff of Federation is mixed with Senior, Middle and young in terms of the age.
Below is the indication of age profile of the staff. The table indicate the year the Comrades were born, number of staff members born between the identified years and their age.
Year born Number of staff members Age
1950 – 1959 4 59 – 65 yrs
1960 – 1969 29 50 – 58 yrs
1970 – 1979 24 39 – 49 yrs
1980 – 1989 7 29 – 37 yrs
1990 1 26 yrs
By 2024 we would have over 20 Comrades who will be qualified for pension and as much as we value the knowledge and experience that the Comrades have, it is important for the Federation to start looking at the plans to transfer that knowledge to the young workers so that we can have a vibrant staff and leadership.
COSATU Departments
We have 8 Departments within the Federation, Parliamentary office and the Provinces. Below is a brief explanation what is the responsibility of each department and Provinces.
1. Secretariat Department
Provide overall political, Administration and financial management
2. Accounts Department
Managing the Federation’s finances
3. HR and Administration
Managing Human Resources and operational requirements
4. Communication Department
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Managing COSATU’s publicity and communication as well as maintaining the IT system.
5. International Department
Manages the Federation’s International Relations
6. Organizing Department
Managing the campaigns of the Federation, recruitment and supporting the Affiliates and Gender structures
7. Education Department
Managing the Education and Training, political education, educational materials and overseeing Ditsela
8. Policy Department
Developing and articulating policy in line with mandates from constitutional structures, support and engage NEDLAC, Coordinates Affiliates
9. Parliamentary Office
Engage on policy issues at Parliament and NEDLAC, including developing written submissions on relevant bills, negotiating with Parliamentarians and Government officials.
10. Provinces
Assist and support Affiliates with organization and recruitment at Provincial level, support and build locals, undertake educational work, maintain provincial gender structures.
From the last congress we have relooked into the Organogram of the Federation as far as other positions were concerned because some of them were overlapping and they were restructured.
In 2016 we combined the position of the Education Secretary and Skills Development Coordinator as the Comrades responsibilities were overlapping and they were both dealing with education.
In the same year 2016, we further combined the position of Trade and Industrial Coordinator as they were also overlapping.
We also froze the position of the Communication Officer as it was overlapping with the position of the Shopsteward Editor.
Staff Development
The Federation continue to support the Staff on building and improving their career development in the same time we also encourage and support the staff members that as we develop and support them they must also take not of the Federation’s business needs. Between the year of 2016-2018 we have supported the staff towards their development as follows:
Group
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We have sent the staff members and leaders to do the Higher Certificate in Business Management from Regent College
Administrators did the Certificate in Project Management
Individuals studying
Management Advanced Programme
Labour Law
Master of Business Administration
Certificate in Corporate Governance and Administration
BED Foundation Phase
Advanced Diploma in Public Management
BED (Intermediate and Senior Phase)
Bcom Business Management
Prince 2 Foundation
B Public Admin Hons
3. Policy Unit
This a narrative report on the key activities of the policy unit on its implementation of the 12th congress resolutions and they cover the following units labour market policy, trade and industrial policy, retirement funds policy, social development policy, and health and safety policy.
Abolishing Labour broking
With hindsight it was mistake for the labour law drafters in 1995 to retain the recognition of labour brokers in the 1995 LRA. Labour broking is a form of slavery which must be abolished. In 2010 The ANC led government initially attempted to abolish labour brokers. However, this was abandoned because of the fear that it might violate section 22 of the constitution which provides for the right of labour brokers to do business or freedom (freedom of trade, occupation and profession).
As a result government has chosen to regulate than to ban labour broking. The 2014 LRA amendments which came into effect on January 2015 have put some restrictions on the work of labour brokers by stating that after a period of 3 months the employee of the labour broker is deemed to be employee of the client unless if the employer can justify otherwise. There has not been a test case on constitutionality of a ban on labour brokers in South Africa. There is court case before the constitutional court but it is only about interpretation of the 3 month deeming rule. Despite this victory employers are not willing to comply with
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law including government. Trade unions still have to use their collective bargaining power to force employers to comply with this law. Higher education students including our affiliates such as Nehawu have succeeded in forcing some of the educational institutions to in-source their cleaning and security workers.
Recommendations
1. Labour broking is tantamount to slavery and must be abolished. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa must be amended to expressly prohibit the trading of workers as workers are not commodities.
2. The constitutional court has just delivered a judgement in which they confirmed that labour brokers do not protect workers’ rights and their only role is to reduce the cost of employment for the real employer and to use placed workers as commodities and that there is no real employment relationship between the labour broker and the placed workers.
3. Trade unions including those in the private sector must have campaigns on in-sourcing of workers under labour broking and outsourced contracts.
National minimum wage and labour laws amendments
On 16 March 2018 parliament published the labour law amendments including the NMW for public comment. 50 individuals and organisations submitted comments. The portfolio committee on labour conducted public hearings from 20-23 March 2018 and on 17 April 2018. The Bill has been revised. The NCOP is scheduled to consider and adopt the Bills on 29 May 5 June and 12 June 2018.
The regulation on exemptions from the minimum wage in terms of sections 15 and 16 of the NMW Bill was published for comment on 4 May 2018. Therefore if the NCOP does not make any changes to the Bill the President is likely to announce the coming into operation of the NMW after 12 June 2018 in order to give the public an opportunity to prepare themselves. Therefore, the NMW if it is to operate may start in July or beginning August 2018.
The initial target date for the implementation of the NMW was 1 May 2018. However, this target has not been met because of among other reasons extensive public comments received by the parliament and in some cases the DOL’s lack of thorough preparation. A definition of a worker which was not based on the Nedlac agreement was inserted in the Bill that was prepared by the department and this resulted in delays.
The NMW agreement of R20 per hour is a victory for vulnerable workers in the following respect; in a free market economy such as SA wages are set unilaterally by employers or by employers and workers through collective bargaining processes. However the level of unionisation is very low. Only 24% of the workforce belongs to trade unions. A majority of workers’ wages are decided by employers. The median wage of R3000 is very low and has declined for a certain period. There are workers in the security, domestic, cleaning sectors
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including those in the mining and metal sectors who are earning between R1000 and R3000 per month. The NMW is a form of state intervention in the labour market to protect vulnerable workers, to set a national floor below which a worker must not be paid and it will benefit close to 6 million workers who are earning below R3500 per month and it is a victory for workers particularly vulnerable low paid employees.
One of the issues that have been used to tarnish COSATU includes labour law amendments including the following key issues; secret ballot and CCMA’s public interest intervention in strikes. These issues are not new and are being used by our detractors to score political points.
Most of the labour disputes are about wage increases , non payment of wages and bonus. How do we ensure that Department of Labour gets enough resources to enforce labour laws specifically the NMW?
Recommendations
1. COSATU must campaign for increased resources to the Department of Labour to police the enforcement of this law.
2. Prioritise a national minimum living wage and3. Amendment of rules to ensure that employers are discouraged from reviewing
CCMA awards.
1. Radical Economic Transformation
The call for Radical Economic Transformation must be understood within the following context;
At least 70% of the South Africa economy is owned and controlled by the private sector companies.
The government’s economic policy is based on neo-liberalism. Macroeconomic policies are conservative specifically the focus is to reducing budget
deficit to less that 3%, cuts on spending on areas such as school infrastructure, and increasing taxes especially on the poor workers and consumers. Our monetary policy seeks to satisfy the needs of the bondholders in particular foreign one’s against the socioeconomic development needs of country through its focus on high repo and prime interest rates and subsidisation of local private bankers. All these policies are against the working class and the poor. There is no political will to change these policies.
Our government relies on markets or private companies whose interests are profits for their shareholders to allocate resources in the economy.
Our economy is depended on foreign companies and foreign money mainly as result of policy choice to open the economy to foreign investors and imports.
Transforming the economy specifically ownership and control has been slow. The beneficiaries of colonialism and apartheid are still in charge of the economy. Despite
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increased social spending on the poor (free houses and social grants) living conditions have worsened and cost of living has increased for the majority as shown by the 40% unemployment rate and an increase in precarious work.
The objective of radical phase of our transition will not be achieved unless these policies are changed to benefit the working class and the poor. It is in this context that others have labelled Radical Socio Economic Transformation (RET) as an empty slogan. However, the definition of RET as adopted ANC policy conference is useful in guiding us on the content of radical phase of our transition.
“Radical economic transformation is about fundamentally changing the structure of South Africa’s economy from an exploitative exporter of raw materials, to one which is based on beneficiation and manufacturing, in which our people’s full potential can be realized. In addition to ensuring increased economic participation by black people in the commanding heights of the economy, radical economic transformation must have a mass character. A clear objective of radical economic transformation must be to reduce racial, gender and class inequalities in South Africa through ensuring more equity with regards to incomes, ownership of assets and access to economic opportunities. An effective democratic developmental state and efficiently run public services and public companies are necessary instruments for widening the reach of radical economic transformation enabling the process to touch the lives of ordinary people.’’
Some within the ANC view economic transformation through the prism of de-racialising' capitalism, having black managers and also want to use it for narrow personal accumulation and increased tenderisation and outsourcing of state functions to the private sector. We reject this form of economic transformation. This is important because the motive forces remain the working class and the poor and not black or white bourgeoisie.
Radical economic transformation must include changing the labour market rules and institutions to ensure increased job security, in sourcing of services, abolishing outsourcing of services, labour brokers and scab labour, comprehensive social security which must include a basic income grant, universal health care and a free decolonised quality education.
The 54th ANC conference resolved on some of the radical resolutions which COSATU have been fighting for including nationalising the South African Reserve Bank, Expropriating land without compensation and free educations and to review the NDP in order to make it more consistent with the objective of radical economic transformation. However, similar to previous congress resolution the problem is in the implementation phase of these policies. Furthermore the implementation process has been made cumbersome by state bureaucrats who happen to have and believe in free market policies.
However, since the December ANC’s 54th congress there has been a reassertion of neo liberal policies by government in particular the increase in VAT by 1%, and the appointment of the former minister as advisor to the President of the country on the investment committee who is the greatest champion of neoliberal economic policies and under whose watch major government companies were sold to the private sector. We have also seen the mainstream media alienating academics that are pro working class such as
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Professor Chris Malikane whose call for nationalisation was described as a voodoo economics by the mainstream media. As a result, the neo liberal free market ideology has become bolder both in the ANC and in government after the 54th conference.
One of the major laws that seek to change the structure of the economy by reducing the role and influence of monopolies is the Competition Bill 2017 which is an initiative of the Minister of Economic Development Department. At this request NEDLAC, through the Trade and Industry Chamber established a task team to consider implementing some of the radical resolutions from the 54th Nasrec conference particularly on the de-monopolisation of the economy.
The key provisions of the Competition Amendment Bill 2017 include measures addressing economic concentration and inclusion in a balanced and economically sustainable manner, through changes to the Market Inquiry provisions, actions against cartels, amendments to the public interest merger provisions and the use of market impact studies; as well as changes to the abuse of dominance provisions in the Act.
Whilst radical economic transformation is to be welcomed it does not come close to addressing our traditional demands which include implementation of the freedom Charter and moving the current free market economy which is based on private ownership of the means of production to a socialist economy. Therefore, radical economic transformation if implemented within the context of neo liberal economy will have a limited impact.
How must COSATU press forward with these demands in order to pursue a radical phase of our transition especially in light of strong neo liberal agenda in the ANC and in government?
Recommendations
COSATU should develop a campaign to move the South African economy to an economy based on socialist principles where the production, ownership and control of the economy would be in the hands of the workers and not a bourgeoisie led government as we currently have.
COSATU must have more say in the formulation and implementation of government policy through forums such as Nedlac and the alliance political council.
Government Budget: Impact of the budget on working class and poor
Fiscal policy whilst it is primarily the exclusion domain for cabinet is practically in the hands of the unelected bureaucrats. The national budget is one of the measures to allocate resources and to transfer wealth and income to the working class. The South African budget process is dominated by unelected bureaucrats and there is little influence by the executive and the ruling party. Social partners have no role in formulating budget. The 2018 increase in VAT is one example. VAT was not discussed at Nedlac nor discussed by alliance partners despite its devastating consequences on the pockets of the working class and the poor. It is reported that one of the reasons why consultation was not done is that any
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disclosure prior to budget speech would have affected the market. Fiscal policy is anti- poor in the following respects;
Austerity policy which includes a freeze on new employment and retrenchment in the public sector through natural attrition.
Since 1994 taxes on the bourgeoisie have been reduced whilst taxes on working class and the poor have increased in particular through indirect taxes such as the electricity, the sugar tax and fuel levies. The corporate income tax has been reduced overtime and now sits at 28% less than tax rate of 45% which create a room for the bourgeoisie to use complicated tax schemes to avoid paying taxes.
VAT
The effect of zero rating certain items is misleading as prices are not regulated. The fuel levy that accompanied the increase in the VAT by 1% will affect “zero rated” food items and an increase in the final prices of goods. Currently a loaf of brown bread costs almost the same as loaf of white bread with a R2.00 difference. VAT is a flat rate tax that is paid by both the rich and the poor and it is not progressive. A farm worker who earns 2400 per month pays the same 14% tax whilst a millionaire who earns R300 000 per month pays the same 14%. The poor and the working class stand to lose out. It is disturbing that company income tax contribution to total revenue has declined whilst that of VAT has increased. This is a signal that economic power and level of sharing in the income of the country has shifted in favour of the elite. A committee of experts to look into zero rating additional items has been established in response to calls for the scrapping of the 1% increase. The outcomes of the committee will only have an effect if the prices of these items are regulated and there are additional social security transfers to the poor and the working class. The Davis tax committee (DTC) has failed to recommend high taxes on the rich including a luxury VAT and wealth tax.
The DTC has recommended the adoption of VAT which the government eventually agreed to implement. In 2017 COSATU with support from SACTWU made a submission to the committee in which we argued that VAT should not be used to close the budget deficit.
Treasury has argued that zero rating will be used mitigate any negative impact on poor. This does not make sense because the reason why the government imposed VAT is to ensure that there is a sustainable source of funding and any zero rating will work against this objective. In addition to the 19 zero-rate food items the Minister of Finance and the Davis Tax Committee, have appointed a panel of independent experts to review the current list of zero-rated items, and consider the most effective way to mitigate the impact of the increase in the VAT rate on poor and low-income households. The review will consider expanding the list of basic food items that are VAT zero-rated, and also consider how specific expenditure programmes can be improved to better target poor and low-income households (e.g. National School Nutrition Programme, food stamps etc.) Zero rating will not assist the poor and the working class as prices of goods and services are high and not regulated.
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What must COSATU do to ensure the budget and taxes are used redistribute incomes and wealth and to ensure that rich pay their fair share of their taxes?
Recommendations
1. There must be an overhaul of the tax system. Currently big companies in the mining sector are taking money out of the country using subsidiaries in tax havens and specifically through under-invoicing and over-invoicing. COSATU must ensure that the Report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa is used by government to stop illicit flows.
2. According to UNCTAD report on Trade misinvoicing in primary commodities in developing countries: the cases of Chile, Côte d’ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia, South Africa suffered under-invoicing over the period 2000-2014 which amounted to U.S.$102.8 billion; which was U.S.$620 million for iron ore, U.S.$24 billion for silver and platinum, and U.S.$78.2 billion for gold. This money should have been used to close the budget deficit, to increase social grants and to fund state owned enterprise and to create jobs.
3. The tax laws should be reformed and transformed with immediate effect in order to ensure big companies and foreign companies who are making profits in South Africa pay a fair share of their taxes.
4. COSATU must enhance its campaign for a progressive tax system than the current regressive tax system which punishes wage earners and the poor.
2. Privatisation plans
The government has indicated that they may have to sell some of the SOE’s in order to reduce the budget deficit and to ensure sustainable funding for SOE’s which are employing thousands of workers. One of the reasons why we have problems in the SOE is that many of the functions of SOE’s have been outsourced to the private sector and this has been used as a loophole to siphon off taxpayers’monies to the private sector. This is also a source of corruption what the public protector and the World Bank cal state capture. There is an international trend by governments sell state assets to private state companies whether wholly and through partial sale of shares and these sales are done in secret without the participation of working class and the poor. Business in Nedlac has proposed a study which will analyse how Eskom can be restructured and privatised.
Should COSATU continue to advance a complete no-no to the any form of privatisation? Should we encourage the state to proceed with partial privatisation and on what conditions?
Recommendation
1. COSATU should maintain its principled opposition to privatisation.2. Privatisation is anti-poor and anti unionisation.3. Instead of privatisation COSATU should call for in-sourcing of services that have
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been outsourced to the private sector including through public private partnerships.
4. Re-nationalisation of SASOL and ArcelorMittal South Africa without compensation.
5. Various laws that support outsourcing must be reviewed to ensure that they stop this practice and this includes the celebrated PFMA, the Municipal Systems act, and Municipal Finance Management Act.
6. All these laws allow government to sell and outsource goods and services. The unintended consequences of these laws have been the widespread corruption involving tenders across all 3 spheres of government and destruction of working conditions and jobs through outsourcing and privatisation.
Trade policy
Trade policy is still based on free market trade policy and on promotion of exports. This is despite DTI calling its trade policy a developmental trade policy. One of the main reasons why East Asian countries have industrialised at short space of time is the use of import substitution policies which entail protecting domestic firms against foreign goods and dumping and putting conditions on foreign investments. In South Africa we have adopted a policy of non-protecting the domestic firms and hence the closure of factories and losses of jobs. The minimal protection that has been afforded to few sectors such as clothing and textile and the auto sector has not resulted in the creation of jobs at a larger scale. The problem with our policy lie with our commitments we made at the WTO to import goods and remove protective measures such as tariffs.
The freedom charter states that all other industry and trade shall be controlled to assist the well being of the people. Exports and imports remain the prerogative of private sector players and the state has little role to play except through licensing.
The 2015 AGOA agreement to import chickens from the US without even testing whether the chickens are toxic shows that our trade policy is still determined in Europe and Washington. SA’s membership of the WTO has taken away the right of government to determine trade policy instrument such as tariffs and quotas.
The discussion on trade policy at Nedlac has been limited to tariff negotiations which are help because in most cases we do not have data on current companies which are producing goods in South Africa or in SACU. The DTI has refused to discuss other trade policy measures such as the import of second hand engines.
Is our neo liberal or free market based trade policy relevant to eliminate poverty and unemployment? And is our membership of WTO beneficial to the working class and the poor? WTO is an imperialist organisation which serves in the main the interests of international white monopoly capital in the mining, pharmaceutical and auto sectors. The WTO including regional agreements such the SADC EPA does not have interests of the working class at heart. The movement of labour across different countries is highly restricted through immigration laws but that of capital including investment is largely unrestricted.
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Recommendations
1. South Africa together with other like minded countries should campaign for the review of WTO to ensure that developing countries can use trade policy measures that were used by today’s industrialised countries to industrialise, create decent jobs and raise the standard of living of their people.
2. The priority must be on protecting domestic firms against imports through FDI restrictions, capital controls and import and export taxes and quotas on the volume and value of imports.
3. The membership of other British institutions IMF/WB should be reviewed as the costs of the membership may imply perpetual economic enslavement.
Industrial policy
South Africa’s industrial policy is private sector driven with limited state intervention and it is fragmented in the sense that various government departments are involved in measures that have direct or indirect impact ton industrial policy and therefore, there is poor coordination. There is non-compliance with local content rules which require the state to buy locally designated products. The private sector has rejected demands on it to buy locally produced goods and services and they have argued that the WTO does not allow government to force private companies to buy locally produced goods. Some of the main factors to attract domestic investment are zero electricity tariffs and protection against imports and these measures are currently inadequate. Furthermore the financial sector is interested in funding non productive economy. Therefore, revitalisation of manufacturing sector will require state intervention. There is lack of co-ordination and implement of IPAP. For example IPAP has a target of developing the Biofuel sector but this has not been done. One of the reasons why there is poor implementation of IPAP is the absence of pressure from local companies and from trade unions. So far only SACTWU has been able to use industrial policy to create and defend jobs in the clothing and textile sectors.
Should the state intervene in the economy through production of goods and service in order to stimulate domestic demand and creation of jobs? If the state is unable to intervene can the private sector on its own create industries without state funding or subsidies? Should the dti remain the only department responsible for implementing industrial policy? Foreign investors rely on subsidies to do business and as result they have crowded out local businesses and developed into monopolies such as in the oil refinery and automotive sectors.
Recommendations
1. Because of its wide application the implementation and co-ordination of industrial policy should remain the preserve of the Presidency and this competency should be removed from the DTI. However, the DTI should remain
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the policy maker in respect of industry policy and IPAP because of the close relationship between trade policy and industrial policy.
2. The private sector must be forced to buy local goods and services as a condition for licensing. If government and private were to buy all their products and service in South Africa we would have a low single digit unemployment rate.
3. The local procurement policy must apply to all actors in the economy and not only government. All affiliates must have industrial policy advisors including those in the public sector because it is state subsidies and tax breaks that must be used to develop the local manufacturing sector.
4. WTO rules and other trade agreements that put restrictions on the power of governments to force the private sector to be locally produced goods and services must be addressed with immediate effect.
The policy unit participated in the Nedlac Section 77 notices including the following;
We have participated in the drafting of section 77 notices to Nedlac. These notices allow us to engage in protected strikes on socioeconomic issues. They include the following;
Section 77 notice on the economic crisis which resulted in a resolution by Nedlac social partners to convene the job summit
On state capture and corruption which resulted in attachments and cancellation of contracts entered into by state owned enterprises with GUPTA companies.
On renewable IPP’s we have obtained a certificate to strike against the privatisation of Eskom.
Section 77 notice is good weapon to force government to come to the negotiating table in Nedlac on socio economic issues that affect the wider public and not only for workers interests such as salary issues. The fact that Fees Must Fall campaign students were able to force the ANC and government to start implementing free education including no fee increase shows that we are not using section 77 and Nedlac effectively. Section 77 must be backed with a strong protect action which must shut down the economy. How do we make section 77 more enforceable?
Recommendations
1. The Nedlac structure review must ensure that Nedlac decisions including section 77 notice proceedings have legal implications and section 77 certificate is legal enforceable.
2. Nedlac must be given enhanced powers including of requesting information and issuing a subpoena without undermining the powers of the legislature and the executive.
Retirement Funds
Background
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The federation has been calling for government to release a comprehensive system of social security paper and table it in NEDLAC for engagement. The purpose was engage on all the aspects of social security in a comprehensive manner for a number of different reasons one of which is a system where all citizen are taken care of as stated in section 27 of the Constitution (Republic of South Africa) that (i) Everyone has a right to have access to social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependents appropriate social assistance
The United Nations’ Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of human Rights state that: Everyone, as a member of society, has a right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his/her dignity and free development of his personality.
South African does have different aspects of social security however, they are weak in some respects, fragmented and even duplicated in some arrears while in others there are serious gaps which needs attention of policy makers.
The Taylor Committee of Inquiry into a Comprehensive System of Social Security of 2002 commissioned by the department of Social Development did address most of the weaknesses in the system. Due to lack of political will, an Inter-Ministerial Committee to study and make recommendations on social security and later an Inter-Departmental task team (IDTT) was set up to provide technical support, advice and make recommendations to the cabinet.
This task team finally agreed to disagree on a proposal as National Treasury was against these proposal using financing as an excuse even when the costing exercise was not arrived at yet, and nor discussed because they were still considering principles underpinning these proposals.
After many years of struggle and campaigning government led by the Department of Social Development released and presented the paper in the NEDLAC EXCO of December 2017. This was a 2012 version of government paper which draws most its policies from Taylor report of 2002 which was progressive. Below are some of the proposals from the paper.
Pillars
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Source:Social Development
Gaps & challenges in the current Social Security are among others that adult people from 18-59 years of age are not covered if they are unemployed, even if they maybe employed once UIF for an example is exhausted and they cannot find employment it will be difficult to support them. Hence COSATU’s calls for a universal basic income grant.
1.1. Section 27 of the Constitution enshrines the right of South Africans to the progressive realisation of social security and social assistance within the state’s available resources.
1.2. The Taylor Committee of Inquiry into a Comprehensive System of Social Security in 2002 began a process of analysis and engagement on the future of the social security system.
1.3. The Inter-Ministerial Committee of 2007 and the Inter-departmental Task Team on Social Security and Retirement Reform continued this work within government.
1.4. In 2011, National Treasury issued its policy document, “A safer financial sector to serve South Africa better” proposing regulatory and retirement reforms.
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1.5. The National Development Plan (2012) sets out a vision for comprehensive social security by 2030.
A Research Reference Group was established to oversee the research agenda of the Task Team. Seven areas of research were identified as follows:
1.6. Legal opinion on Constitutional Compliance of the Comprehensive Social Security System
1.7. Demographic modelling1.8. Basic Income subsidy for unemployed 18 to 59 year olds1.9. Economies of scale – value for money in institutional arrangements1.10. Economic impact of the NSSF1.11. Impact on the investment environment and capital markets1.12. Analysis of how to include atypical/informal workers into the system.
The Research Reference Group is in the process of developing Terms of Reference for these pieces of work, which would then be ratified by the Task Team, and then sent out for tender, as swiftly as possible, bearing the tight time frames in mind.
1.13. Establishment of a National Social Security Fund
1.13.1. Overview of the Government proposal:
(a) The central reform proposal is the introduction of a National Social Security Fund - a centrally managed public fund to provide pensions, death and disability benefits and unemployment benefits to the formally employed up to a contribution threshold.
(b) Contributions are proposed at inception at a rate of 12 per cent [inclusive of a 2% UIF contribution] of qualifying earnings up to a ceiling that will be aligned with the UIF earnings threshold (the 2012 report states the amount as R149 736 per year, but the current ceiling is R 178 464).
(c) Government will partially subsidise the contributions of low-income workers to minimise disruptions to the demand or supply of labour associated with the introduction of mandatory contributions.
(d) Employees earning below an agreed threshold (R13 000 per year) need not contribute to the NSSF.
(e) The NSSF will be run on a pay as you go, defined-benefit basis.
(f) A formal worker’s pension in retirement will be based on his or her career-average earnings and the duration of contributions. The
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disability and survivor benefit will be based on salary at the time of injury or death.
(g) The NSSF will provide income protection [disability income and death benefits] for all workers and their families in combination with revised social assistance entitlements.
(h) For informal and self-employed individuals, a simplified contribution arrangement with different benefits will also be established i.e. low-cost fund.
1.13.2. Summary of agreed way forward
(a) Social Partners in principal supported the establishment of the NSSF that caters for disability, death, pension, and unemployment insurance as a component of a broader Social Security system.
(b) All employees, be they formal, informal or self-employed must participate in one arrangement with equivalent benefits to achieve solidarity.
(c) The NSSF should guarantee sustainable income replacement, for a contributor who becomes permanently disabled, based on the employee’s last year of remuneration subject to a threshold.
(d) All pensions in payment should grow at the rate equivalent to the wage inflation to ensure that the income remains in line with national incomes.
(e) It was agreed and acknowledged that detail of the costs and benefits must be informed by evidence-based research related to key issues like funding and long-term sustainability. High priority problem statements must be identified and informed with information in order to move towards positions. Practical and financial evidence must be linked to the proposals.
(f) The approach should avoid any further fragmentation and develop an inclusive solution for the 5 million primarily vulnerable and informal workers that are excluded from the current system.
(g) The establishment of a default fund for savings above the threshold (in competition to the third pillar arrangements) must be carefully crafted so as to avoid further complexity and discouraging people from participation and at the same time ensure a viable third pillar for institutional arrangements.
(h) The changing world of work must be factored into the conceptual and physical design of the system and its benefits.
(i) Consideration needs to be given to migrant workers.
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(j) The inclusion of the previously neglected groups must be on the basis of equality of benefit and solidarity and not adversely impact the sustainability of the NSSF.
(k) The impact of inflation on career average earnings based benefits must be carefully considered.
(l) The Social Security System should consolidate all existing social security schemes that are currently spread across five government departments into a central arrangement consistently governed and managed to ensure efficiencies across beneficiaries.
One of the key proposals is to establish a National Social Security Fund. Whilst the concept of a fund is not a new proposal it is at the heart of solidarity as its best. In fact in our discussion document of mid 2000 we made the following proposal:
Cosatu’s recommendations on restructuring of the retirement fund industry.
Eradicate fragmented funds and form Industrial Bargaining Council as a step towards a National Social Security Fund.
Cosatu believes that the current system is too fragmented and that the current system is not efficient and cost effective. Main beneficiaries are administrators, insurance companies and find managers.
Critical step towards the National Fund will be compulsory provision were every working person has to contribute to this fund. Mechanism should be developed to cover low earners.
National fund should have the following features:
1. Compulsory across all industries;
2. Provide minimum contribution by each member and employer; and a minimum benefit structure.
3. Integrate all small funds to enable them to provide reasonable benefits to members, with a minimum benefit provision.
The legislative framework and the institution governing social security are fragmented. There is a number of government departments involved, governed by different legislations in this space and their different agencies providing almost similar work and at worse competing services instead of complimenting each other for the benefit of citizens and workers. In certain instances there is double if not triple dipping of services while others have nothing. What must be done to guarantee funding for social security for everyone within a short space of time?
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Recommendations
1. In order to implement a comprehensive social security, there must be a sustainable source of funding.
2. The must be increases in taxes on the rich including the following; 50% taxes on inheritances, special taxes on JSE big companies who are reported to be having 1.4 trillion of profits in the bank accounts which have not be reinvested in the economy and an increase in company tax to 50%.
3. The Royalty regime for the mines must be reviewed and increased to 50% of the profits and 5% of the turnover. In Norway they have been able to use revenue from fossil fuel exports in order to achieve a high social security system.
4. Therefore besides higher taxation of minerals profits and profits in the financial sector COSATU must continue to demand nationalisation as a way to guarantee revenue for the government specifically for social security and to guarantee jobs.
Financial Sector Charter
The Nedlac Manco, at its meeting of 20 November 2015, agreed to convene a Second National Financial Sector Summit. At its meeting of 28 July 2016, Manco directed the task team to develop a proposal, including the budget and other logistical issues in relation to the Second National Financial Sector Summit. The task team proposed that a research study should be undertaken to evaluate the implementation of the 2002 Financial Sector Summit Agreements. The outcome of the research would assist the task team to make informed decision on the issues to be discussed at the Summit.
The research report reviewed the 13 Agreements that were adopted in the 2002 Financial Sector Summit. The main objective of the assignment was to evaluate the progress that the different financial institutions had made in the implementation of the 13 Agreements.
The financial sector transformation workshop was held on 05-06 April 2018. The workshop agreed to establish the following committees to discuss and make recommendation to the financial sector charter council namely;
Market concentration and monopoly in relation to ownership and licensing. Support for emerging enterprises and black business through procurement
enterprise and supplier development. The role of DFI’s and state owned financial institutions in the transformation of the
financial sector. The role of financial sector charter council and financial sector regulatory bodies.
Negotiations are continuing. COSATU demands include the following
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The breakup of existing monopolies in the sense of imposing a separation between those who own and control particular companies in the sector. De-monopolisation will change the structure of the ownership on the sector.
To prohibit insurance companies from owning banks and vice versa. Using licensing and the threat of taking the licences as a way to expedite
transformation in the sector.
Business has argued that the current monopolistic or oligopolistic structure of the financial sector must remain and that the focus should be on measures to increase support to small and black business. Furthermore they have argued that should de-monopolisation demand be implemented there would be job losses.
One of the reasons why the sector has not transformed and contributed to SA’s socioeconomic development is because the sector is unregulated in the sense that the regulators have limited powers on what the sector can sell and on pricing of those products. Should the financial sector continue to self regulate itself?
Recommendations
1. Banks, investment management and insurance companies must be separately owned and controlled by separate persons in order to avoid conflict of interest monopolisation and future banking crisis.
2. The financial sector regulators must control the products that are sold to the public and the pricing in the same way that the pricing of petrol is managed. This would protect not only consumers but the whole economy from collapsing because of high interest payments.
3. The South Africa Reserve Bank must regulate the right of private banks to allocate credit in the economy because they have failed to execute this task in the public interest.
4. There must be a reintroduction of prescribed asset requirements for private sector retirement funds and for banks.
Accessible, Reliable and affordable reliable public transport system in South Africa
Safe, reliable, accessible as well as cost effective Public transport remains a challenge for many South Africans particularly workers that are geographically displaced from economic central business districts. Transport planning and systems continue to function without integration with multiple modes of transportation operating in silos and lacking proper planning with regards to the commuters needs. Train schedules often take very little consideration of the schedules of buses as well as taxis. Accurate integration of all modes of transportation would ensure that workers that are geographically displaced from places of work are able to easily connect train travel to bus travel as well as to taxi travel.
Transport safety remains a serious problem in South Africa with many commuters risking their lives daily on transportation that is currently below low safety standards with drivers
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engaging in risky behaviour on the roads that leads to increased road carnages that lead to fatalities. The competition commission is conducting public hearings on transport as well as transport pricing. A majority of the responses from stakeholders that participated in the written submission round of consultation pointed to the need to extend public transportation subsidies to the taxi industry that remains unsubsidised by government even though 70% of public transportation is offered by the taxi industry. Subsidies of this nature will firstly ensure that the high taxi fare prices are reduced to the benefit of commuters and to ensure that the road worthy condition of taxis improves significantly as owners strive to meet government standards of road worthiness. Train safety has also surfaced as a cause for concern due to the over population of metrorail trains. In recent years the over population of trains has seen many commuters hanging onto the exterior as well as on the roof tops of trains in order to reach their destination.
Investment into transport infrastructure remains a small portion of total transport costs. There is a need to build a strong financial base for the creation, maintenance and the upgrading of transport infrastructure. The Draft revised white paper on national transport aims to target state investment to build transport infrastructure in places where it is needed the most and in regions of the country that experience high levels of transport inequality. Investment decisions will be taken against a set of criteria that include life time cost, social and other returns on the investment to the country
Government currently subsidises certain modes of transportation namely, bus services as well as the gautrain, this is done in order to reduce the prices for the end user Government is said to find it desirable to continue to provide such subsidies in order to achieve certain elements of its transport goals, however the tender process for particularly bus services were last entered into in the year 2002 without a review of the initial tender. The recent protracted bus strike exhibits the problem associated with bus subsidies. The bus subsidies proved to be a deterrent to the process of effective bargaining with the real “loosers” in the strike being the commuters as well as the bus drivers as the employer is cushioned and offered security by the government subsidy. COSATU has always called for the nationalisation of the public transportation services. Government must begin the process of purchasing transport vehicles and offer public transport services directly to the public and remove private provides that are profit maximises by their very nature from the public transportation value chain.
Road carnage and the arrive alive campaign
The 12th Congress resolved to engage with the Minister of transport to remove freight transport on national highways and roads as well as to demand for the public provision of the infrastructures and the demand for safe and reliable public passenger transport. COSATU is engaging on the revised white paper on national transportation as well as the draft roads policy for South Africa at Nedlac with the National Department of Transport. This platform offers COSATU an opportunity to integrate COSATU 12 th congress resolution in both transport related policies.
Public transport
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COSATU has written a letter to the Minister of Transport to extend the process of engagement at Nedlac on the transport policy of South Africa. This engagement process will ensure to achieve the resolutions passed on public transportation, which include:
The demand for an integrated public transport system that is safe, reliable, affordable and accessible.
To call for the a well-planned funding model for the system The targeting of subsidies to ensure that they assist the most marginalised persons
in South Africa To ensure that public transportation is given greater priority as compared to private
modes of transportation.
Standing firm against E-tolls
COSATU stands out as one of the organisations that stood to campaign against the introduction and roll out of the E-tolls. Reports estimate that less than 30% of commuters pay the e-toll fees and the project shows serious signs of having been a failure. E-tolls are high on the President’s agenda and a decision on the policy is expected to be communicated in the build up to the general elections. Even though this can come across as the last signs of a “dying horse” the federation must continue to campaign for the total scrapping of e-tolls until the entire policy is completely abolished.
Questions: What will it take for the government to invest in public transport especially the tax industries? How should the tax industry be subsidised?
Recommendations
1. COSATU must continue to campaign for the full integration of public transportation system to ensure that workers geographically displaced from central business districts due to an apartheid special planning are not further disadvantaged.
2. COSATU must continue to call for the complete and final scrapping of the e-tolls non enforcement of E-Toll bills.
3. In the interim taxis should be subsidised by government with a view of reducing taxi fares which are high and unaffordable.
Commercialisation and Privatisation of Education
The recent mushrooming of private schools in urban cities must be a cause for concern for the federation because privatisation and the commercialization of education poses a serious threat to the promises laid down in the freedom charter that education shall be free and equal for all children. With the high costs associated with private schooling and the resource advantage that a private school enjoys it naturally affords its beneficiaries exponential advantages over above their peers at public schools and perpetuates a class and race divide in a country with the highest gini coefficient in the world. Private schools also causes a brain drain in public schools, with teachers and educational psychologists who
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were trained and accredited in public institutions leaving public schools in favour of private schools for marginally higher wages in the private sector.
Private schools should also concern the federation from a social stand point. Given the high fees associated with private schooling some parents find it difficult to manage uninterrupted school fees payments. Schools have found more and more inhumane and shroud ways to collect payments from defaulting parents. In September 2017 a student was sent to the sick room for three days when parents had defaulted on her school fees. The said student was locked in the sick room for three days where she was isolated from her peers and subjected to immense humiliation as well as the loss of three crucial days of learning. As shocking and unfortunate as this event sounds it has become the norm in many private schools as school management makes use of whatever measure possible to recoup payments from defaulters even by violating the constitution and denying children the right and access to education, children who at no time have ever entered into a contractual and legally binding agreement with the school to begin with but rather their parents.
COSATU in conjunction with the department of basic education must push back the establishment of private schools and engage on a program to re-equip, refurbish and capacitate public schools particularly in the townships and rural areas. Investment into urban private schools is often acquired from the Public Investment Corporation with the biggest beneficiary being the CURRO schools group, a schooling franchise that was cast into the limelight because of the school’s separate development plan that involved an apartheid style of segregation with the separation of white and black pupils in different classrooms. COSATU must reject the investment of workers monies into the building of private schools and rather engage into a program that can ensure the development of quality public schools.
Commercialisation of education in higher education reached boiling point in institutions of higher learning across South Africa between the periods 2015-2016. The “Fees must fall” movement captivated the country as students from across the country protested against unaffordable university fees, high barriers to entry upon acceptance and the decolonisation of the university’s curriculum. The protest took a violent turn in 2016 with many protesting students either arrested or injured from clashes with riot squads. COSATU intervened with a section 77 notice on higher education at Nedlac in order to resolve the matter. The section 77 noted the following issues:
Under-funding by the state of the institutions of higher learning has led to the unaffordability of higher education to eligible higher education students from poor and working class households in the midst of growing demand. One of the key functions of higher education systems around the world is to contribute to building more equal societies and the main method for this is for it to generate high levels of social mobility through broadening access and the successful graduation of students.
In addition to the factor of under-funding, over the past two decades there has been a shift in the management and operational practices in universities, towards corporatisation. Key elements of issues raised during the protest action included the user-pay principle, outsourcing and privatisation.
As indicated in 2.1.1.1 above, many of these measures have been introduced as a result of the chronic and worsening underfunding of higher education leading to
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stringent financial conditions at all institutions of higher learning. This does not mean that universities cannot do better at improving efficiencies and it will be expected that this is where innovation comes in.
Corporatist managerialism is forced on the universities by the demands of a national governance system that is increasingly neo-liberal in form. This subscribes, through the dictates of the government and the Auditor-General’s Office, to higher and higher levels of bureaucratic reporting. Universities are caught in the web of what we now refer to as “The Audit Society”. What we refer to as corporatist managerialism is a result of this governance framework.
Students from historically disadvantaged households continue to be disadvantaged by the social system and carry the burden of historical debt even after completing their studies.
Unsatisfactory throughput rates, whereby a considerable proportion of historically disadvantaged students from poor backgrounds and disadvantaged schools tend to take more time to complete their studies, whilst many others drop-out of the system leaving them with an even bigger debt burden. This results in substantial inefficiency and insufficient graduates to meet the country’s needs.
While we must take into account the need for universities to be even more proactive in supporting students to succeed, what we must understand is that the fundamental problem rests in primary and secondary schooling systems that disastrously fail our children and their families.
Serious challenges persist regarding the quality of education and the sustainability of a number of the historically black universities due to their historical under-resourcing, inadequate infrastructure and human capital investment and sometimes their poor management and governance.
Higher education institutions in South Africa have an ageing academic staff. Even though steps are being taken by the universities themselves, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Science and Technology, more needs to be done so that all universities may innovate and grow to meet the transformation requirements of the economy and society.
The entire system is not adequately meeting the needs of the economy and society as a whole and is ill-suited to prepare young people for equitable access to the workplace. Having said this we must recognise that the absorption of graduates by the economy is considerably higher than non-graduates. The latest Statistics South Africa study indicates that the unemployment rate amongst graduates is approximately 7% compared to the national figure of 28%. Even so, it must be recognised that particular challenges persist in equitable access to careers in science, engineering and technology as well as business and commercial studies.
Societal inequalities in South Africa continue to represent disparities with regards to access to educational opportunities, success and access to professional academia.
The result of the above-stated societal inequalities and inadequate system is that millions of young people are not accommodated in the post school education and training system resulting in limited access to the labour market. Inhibiting labour market participation and economic development is a potential source of serious social instability. This is unacceptable in a democracy.
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Whilst recognising some progress in historically Afrikaans medium universities, the manner in which bilingualism (Afrikaans and English) has been implemented has created major problems – advantaging Afrikaans-speaking students, placing extra burden on some lecturing staff and contributing to high rates of dropout and slow throughput.
It is recognised that language, in general, is often a barrier to access higher education. This calls upon the higher education system to fast-track the implementation of multilingualism in line with the White Paper and specifically the development and promotion of indigenous African languages that are also constitutionally official languages side-by-side with English and Afrikaans. The current measures undertaken in historically Afrikaans medium universities in removing the language barrier and expanding access have largely tended to entrench English as the dominant language at the expense of the goal of multi-lingualism. All institutions, including historically English medium universities, must take concrete measures towards multi-lingualism taking into account the specific linguistic dynamics in their demographic and geographic locations.
The following is the progress made with regards to the demands for the no fee increment
All parties acknowledged that even before the NEDLAC Section 77 meeting could commence, government had taken steps to address some of the demands raised by the students regarding the no fee increment for 2017 particularly for the youth coming from the working class and poor backgrounds, including those who fall in the category of the so-called missing-middle.
In this regard government has agreed to provide additional funds so that there will be a subsidy that will completely cover the increase in tuition fees for 2017 for students from poor households, as well as those with a household income of less than or equal to R600 000 per annum (the missing middle). Recipients of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are not required to pay a registration fee at any university or TVET College in lieu of the institutions receiving an upfront tranche to cover this fee. In 2017, students not supported through NSFAS, with an annual household income of less than R600 000, will be supported in payment of their registration fees through the government gap funding grant.
All parties recognise that whilst progress has been made to address some of the challenges there are many that still need to be addressed so that permanent and lasting solutions are found.
Progress made at the Nedlac section 77 engagement processes
Creating a conducive environment towards the conclusion of the 2016 academic year:All parties support the call to create the necessary conditions for the conclusion of the 2016 academic year and the commencement of the 2017 academic year on time.
A call to stop violence and affirming the right to peaceful protests:
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We respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of association. Violence, intimidation, victimisation and threat to the lives and safety of students and staff and damage to property are unacceptable and must stop. We all have a duty to protect our universities for current and future generations. The law will be enforced in an event of threat or harm to persons or property.
Affirming the Right to peaceful Protest: It is agreed that students have a right to engage in peaceful protest action. Therefore, no student should be victimised when exercising his or her right in this regard.
Application Fees: Prospective students will not pay application fees when completing their application process online.
An Effective National Central Application System: An effective and efficient Central Application System (CAS) for Post-School2 Education and Training is necessary to ensure that students have efficient access to apply for higher learning. In this regard, Government has made progress towards developing CAS. However, more work needs to be done to monitor and ensure that this system is fully functional and implemented on time. This includes the pilot testing of the system as well as the enactment of the relevant legislation. It is anticipated that legislation in this regard will be finalised in 2018.
Arrested Students and the writing of exams: It is agreed that universities will work with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure all eligible students, including those imprisoned, are allowed and enabled to participate fairly in these examinations.
Creation of safe environment in campuses: It is further agreed that all post–school institutions and all relevant stakeholders should take all steps necessary and possible to ensure a safe environment for students to write examinations and complete the 2016 academic year.
Curriculum Transformation: A programme for progressive curriculum transformation and inclusive language policies is necessary. Work in this regard that is currently underway in some institutions of higher learning needs to be supported and expanded. It is agreed that progress reports on curriculum transformation should be made available and accessible to all constituencies on a regular basis.
Institutional Autonomy: Institutional autonomy for universities is an important instrument to ensure unfettered production of knowledge and dissemination of information. Institutional autonomy has to be seen in the context of the provisions of public accountability and state steering that are contained in the Higher Education Act of 1997 as amended so that institutional autonomy is not seen as an abstract construct. Institutional Autonomy must however not be confused with academic freedom, which is a constitutional right. The Higher Education Act says that “….it is desirable for higher education institutions to enjoy freedom and autonomy in their relationship with the state within the context of public accountability and the national need for advanced skills and scientific knowledge….”
2
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On the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training (‘ Fees Commission’):The Fees Commission has issued an interim report in November 2016. The current deadline of June 2017, for the Fees Commission to finalise its work and release a report is too late to address the 2018 academic year. It is regrettable that the report could not be concluded in June 2017 due to technicalities. While recognising the independence of the Fees Commission, all parties call on Government to explore measures to expedite the Commission’s processes and provide information sharing in this regard with a view to address issues for the 2018 academic year. How do we ensure that education remains a right for children from poor families from primary to tertiary education?
Recommendations
1. COSATU in conjunction with the department of basic of basic education must push back the establishment of private schools and engage on a program to re-equip, refurbish and capacitate public schools particularly in the townships and rural areas and to reduce the teacher ratio to 15. This will also require more teachers and building of more schools. The Treasury’s decision to cut the budget for school infrastructure must be reversed.
2. Investment into urban private schools is often acquired from the Public Investment Corporation with the biggest beneficiary being the CURRO schools brand, a schooling franchise that was cast into the limelight because of the school’s separate development plan that involved an apartheid style of segregation with the separation of white and black pupils in different classrooms.
3. COSATU must reject the investment of workers monies into the building of private schools and rather engage into a program that can ensure the development of public schools.
4. Teacher to child ratios must be readjusted downwards to 1:15 as compared to the current 1:30. This will increase the pass rate and ensure that learners receive quality education.
5. The Department of Basic Education must receive further funding to train additional teachers and build more schools to accommodate a teacher child ration of 1:15.
6. The increase in private educational institutions that compete with TVETs’ and universities is likely to destroy the public sector. No further licenses must be given to private institutions and the existing ones’ must be re-integrated into the public sector so that there is one educational system in the country.
7. Higher education institutions cannot be independent from government and their independence must be removed in order to ensure decolonised education and education that is not based on the Bretton Woods system which is gradually collapsing.
8. Education policy must be discussed at nedlac including fee free education.9. Students who are accused of having participated in the fees must fall campaign
must be released immediately and any disciplinary action and sanctions must be
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reversed as their fight was in the public interest and for the benefit of all students. Universities and TVETs must not be allowed to terrorise these students.
Strengthening Primary healthcare for the successful Implementation of the National Health Insurance.
COSATU cannot emphasize enough the need for urgency and determination in the implementation of the NHI in the face of the massive burden of disease that afflicts our society. Indeed, ours is a society that has no option but to muster courage, to make resources available, to develop institutions and technical capacity and to mobilize the masses of the people to confront our four concurrent epidemics comprising poverty-related illnesses such as infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS and TB), maternal and child deaths, non-communicable diseases and violence and injury.
The federation prides itself and counts itself amongst the torch-bearers in terms of the role that we have played over the years through our policy advocacy and mass-driven campaigns in advancing and defending the NHI and the course of the realisation of the right of access to health care services to all in line with section 27 of our Constitution. Indeed, as early as 1997 at its Policy Conference, COSATU called for “a national health care system” and “affordable medicines for all”.3 In 2000 our 7th Congress adopted a resolution that reaffirmed COSATU’s commitment to fight for the NHI. In this regard, COSATU opposed the implementation of the Social Health Insurance (SHI) as this undermined the right of access to health care services to all in the absence of social solidarity and cross-subsidisation of the poor by the rich and the sick by the healthy.
In the wake of the calls for the implementation of the NHI the department of health released the NHI white paper on NHI. COSATU’s submission in response to the policy welcomed the white paper as it was broadly consistent with the resolutions of the 12 th congress and encapsulates a framework and objectives that begin to lay the foundation for a people’s health care system which is intended:
• To meet population’s health needs.
• To remove financial barriers to health care.
• To reduce incidence of catastrophic health expenditures.
• To enable our country to meet national and international commitments and goals on health, and
• Ultimately to contribute to better quality of life, poverty alleviation and human development.
3 Resolution on Broad Macro-Economic Framework and GEAR: COSATU Policy Conference, 1997.
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Below is an outline of the policy proposals that are welcomed by the federation and proposals to strengthen them, we support:
The NHI features, including the creation of a publicly administered single-fund, though we propose below that PHC must be included amongst the defining features of the NHI. Indeed, we support PHC re-engineering based on the four streams that are currently being implemented in the NHI Pilot Sites, namely:
a. Municipal Ward-based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams (WBPHCOTs);
b. Integrated School Health Programme;
c. District Clinical Specialist Teams; and
d. Contracting of private health practitioners at non-specialist level.
The NHI principles, with our emphasis on the principle that health care is a public good and social investment.
The universal scope of population coverage ranging from citizens, permanent residents and the so-called refugees. However, we propose that in conjunction with the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the existing policies and legislation pertaining to the rights of asylum-seekers and migrants as far as health is concerned must be urgently reviewed. Indeed, we propose that where necessary these must be replaced with those that would be consistent with the values and principles of our constitution and international commitments to prevent discrimination and to ensure compliance with the law by everyone on the South African land.
The commitment to provide a comprehensive package of personal health services, although we call for proper engagement on the envisaged depth and service levels to ensure equal access to the same level of care for all whilst enforcing cost-containment measures and efficiencies. We also propose that the department must initiate an informed policy and legislative process to align and integrate the services of indigenous or traditional health providers within the NHI.
Abolishment of the Uniform Patient Fee Schedule and the exclusion of elective cosmetic surgery. The levying of fees to non-citizens at public hospitals must be subject to and consistent with a new policy on asylum-seekers and migrants as proposed above.
The opening of additional nursing colleges. However, we propose that there must be proper coordination with the Department of Higher Education to ensure seamless articulation with nursing education at university level.
The increase of scholarships for health science students. However, this must not be in isolation but must be located within the broader thrust of moving towards free public university education.
The proposed purchaser-provider split, a single-fund to leverage monopsony power through strategic purchasing of services and the proposed contracting arrangements to yield efficiency gains.
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The National Health Commission to harness a wide spectrum of available expertise and to facilitate broad-based consultation as well as Clinic Committees envisaged harnessing popular experiences and grass-roots participation to build health awareness.
The reassignment of the central hospitals to the national sphere of government.
The building of capacity for the introduction of semi-autonomous management of central hospitals and the delegation of management autonomy at public hospitals level.
The role of the Office of the Ombudsman as established within the ambit of the Health Professions Council of South Africa must be properly defined and aligned so as not to overlap with that of the statutory professional regulatory councils and the OHSC.
Community Health Workers as an Integral agent of Public Health Care
From the very beginning of the democratic South Africa, Community Health Workers (CHWs), who include home-based care givers, were recognised as indispensable in the envisaged transformation of the South African health system. Thus, when the ANC developed A National Health Plan for South Africa in 1994 it stated that:
“Community Health Workers can play a unique role in promoting health and in expanding and improving health services provided they have effective support structures and referral systems and they receive ongoing training. They can also be catalysts for community development, mobilising people around health issues. Local programmes will be encouraged provided they are integrated into the local health services…”
In turn, in their emphasis on prevention, promotion and community participation as features of the health system, the African Claims, Freedom Charter and Alma Ata Declaration were also calling for a departure from the prevalent approach to PHC that relegates the role and contribution of CHWs to a peripheral and informal domain. Instead, they called for the integral location of the CHWs in the health system.
COSATU welcomes the fact that the White Paper reaffirms the PHC as a critical component of the NHI as originally mooted in the Green Paper. Thus, as it constitutes the foundation of the health system, PHC reengineering and the attended effort to build of a strong District Health System is critical in the endeavour to re-orientate the South African health system away from presently dominant and financially unsustainable hospi-centric paradigm. This then underscores the indispensability of the cadre of the CHWs as it is upon their contribution that the success of the Municipal Ward-based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams (WBPHCOTs) in terms of their assigned scope of practice according the proposed PHC model would largely depend.
However, despite the appreciation of the indispensability of the CHWs to the success of the PHC, due to the prevalent Neoliberal rationality within government, in practice CHWs have been treated as mere informal extension to the public health system. Thus, virtually all the
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existing relevant policies which have been developed to date viz. the National Guideline on Home-based Care/Community-based Care, December 2001; the Community Health Workers’ Policy Framework, 2004 and the National Human Resources for Health Planning Framework, 2006 have strayed away from the ANC’s 1994 health plan which conceived the CHWs as agents to be “integrated into the local health services”. In our view, underlying this is the dominant and overarching Neoliberal approach to fiscal policy dictated by the Treasury. Hence, the CHWs have been utilised via some non-governmental intermediaries that at worst have been little more than labour-brokers. This pertains to both their training and contracts, and it fits well within the Neoliberal logic that tends to be short-term in outlook - in its fixation with the thumb-sucked ratio of the “public service wage bill” to the budget, without appreciating the long-term human and indeed financial consequences of this on the health system.
The specification of the role and scope of practice of the CWHs in the White Paper, especially with regard to the WBPHCOTs implies that there is a lurking problem of the definition of CHWs whereby many of these workers may find themselves excluded. Currently it is estimated that there is an all-encompassing category of CHWs working in various areas of specialisation (each in one form or the other playing a significant role in PHC) that is approximately 72 000 strong in South Africa4. From our stand point, CHWs encapsulate a variety of primary health auxiliaries working in communities that include lay urban and rural health workers, community-based short-course (DOTS) supporters, HIV/AIDS communicators, home-based care workers, voluntary counselling & testing counsellors, peer educators and first aid workers. This might still include others.
In the context of the current dispensation that tends to vary nationally and often involving non-governmental intermediaries, the CHWs are faced with numerous difficulties as a group and as individuals. This includes high exposure to infectious diseases, crime, financial and employment uncertainty, poor provision of the necessary logistical supplies and resources, poor psychological support, substandard training programmes, lack of career-pathing beyond this level, etc. Our central concern in addition to all these difficulties that they face is their super-exploitation given the meagre stipends that they are currently given for their vital services. For example, CHWs in Gauteng are paid between R2500 and R4000 per month, yet the provincial department would still go out of its way to outsource the administration of the payment of its 9000 CHWs to a private company called Smart Purse Solutions Pty Ltd, to the tune of R87 million. This example and numerous others in different functional areas backs our argument that the persistent Neoliberalism that has been entrenched within government since GEAR is itself a threat to the financial sustainability of the NHI rather than what is usually deceptively put out as high public service wage bill.
If the current dispensation remains unchanged, as COSATU we can only caution that it must be expected that increasingly there would be spontaneous and widespread labour unrest, disruption of service delivery and therefore needless delay in the implementation process. In both instances where government directly and indirectly contracts the CHWs, its drive to
4 Department of Health, 2011. CWH Audit Report. Tshwane: Department of Health.
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externalise the costs and responsibility of employing them occurs at a severe toll and expense on the wellbeing of these workers. Necessarily, this includes gross violations of these workers’ rights with regard to:
The Labour Relations Act, which protects workers against unfair labour practices and unfair dismissals.
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which protects workers against late payment or non-payment of wages, as well as provisions pertaining to working hours, overtime, leave, termination of employment, written terms of employment.
The Employment Equity Act, which protects workers against unfair discrimination.
The Skills Development Act, which provides for a career path through training.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act, which provides for the health and safety of workers
These nationally varying contracting dispensations of the CHWs also go against the Code of Good Practice promulgated by the government itself which determines “Who is an Employee”5, in terms of which CHWs can be deemed to be “employees” as they are covered by all the seven constitutive factors determining who an employee is.6 In paying CHWs between R2500 and R4000 per month according to their various occupations, Gauteng is but one example of the existing contracting dispensations across provinces.7 Equally, such variations also relate to the contracts entered into with non-governmental intermediaries that basically act as labour brokers between the workers and departments of health. If the Community Health Workers’ Policy Framework of 2004 determined that the CHWs must be paid a minimum stipend of R1 000 (which was arguably not adequate then), even when allowing for inflation it is clear that this important cadre of PHC is grossly super-exploited at the moment.
In conjunction with France, South Africa is currently a co-chair of the United Nation’s High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, whose work is underpinned by the recognition of the need for decent jobs and that jobs in the health sector are not a cost but a social investment. This goes against the prevalent Neoliberal rationality that informs the South African government’s attitude towards the compensation of the workers. Thus, as COSATU we make the following proposals:
1. CHWs must be employed by government as an integral part of the public service.
2. The determination of the terms and conditions of work must be brought for engagement at the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council.
3. A mandatory training platform accredited by SAQA must be established by government. We have noted the curriculum that has been accredited by QCTO, which has
5 Notice 1774. Government Gazette 29445, 1 December 2006. 6 Aids Law Project. Memorandum on Community Health Workers. 2008. 7 We are aware that there is a Ministerial Determination Circular Number 1 of 2015 applicable related to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
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commenced, but we are worried about the slow implementation. We believe there must be strong monitoring and evaluation of this process.
Implementation of NHI by 2025
2018 marks the first year of the second phase of NHI implementation as envisaged by the revised NHI white paper of 2017. The main concern in the process of NHI implementation is the lack of political will and the slow progress made in the implementation of NHI. The first phase of NHI implementation was supposed to achieve:
Strengthening of the Health care system
Establishing of the NHI fund
Institutional Reform
Most would argue that the first phase of NHI implementation has not been adequately achieved with the continuing deterioration of the state of public health care and the potential collapse of the system as reported by the health ombudsman. The oncology crises in the kwa-Zulu Natal, The life esidimeni crises in the Gauteng government department as well as the collapse of the northwest provincial health care system, are all indicative of a collapse in the state of provincial health in the various provinces and are an indication that the state of public health is in a state of decline with an overburdened and under resourced public health care. The Minister of finance in his 2018 budget speech allocated a further R4.2 billion to the NHI fund these funds must be used to expand the numbers of health care professionals at public health care centres around the country.
COSATU rejects the intension of the national department to make use of private clinics to provide services to the publicly funded NHI fund. The fund must be used to improve the state of public hospitals and re-engineer them to provide quality services to the public. The implementation of the NHI must be tracked with targets for every phase of implementation this will allow for policy makers to assess the implementation process and provide implementable recommendations for where ever blockages may occur.
Question: The current health system discriminates patients on the basis of their income and wealth. How can we ensure universal health care system which does not discriminate according to assets or income?
Recommendations
1. COSATU rejects any involvement of the private sector in the implementation of the NHI policy. The NHI bill recommends that the NHI fund can be accessed by both public and private health care facilities. COSATU must continue to actively reject this proposal. Public health care facilities must continue to receive resources and personnel support in order to acquire the standards required by the NHI bill.
2. The two tier public health system will remain entrenched if a medical aid remains a condition of employment in the workplace. In order to collapse this
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system COSATU must lead the call to cancel medical aid membership.3. Human resources are not adequately addressed in the NHI policy and NHI bill.
COSATU must develop a human recourse strategy that must be incorporated into the NHI policy and Bill.
4. Noting the successful collaboration between civil society and labour in the fight against HIV & Aids. COSATU must make use of opportunities to work with civil societies across society to strengthen our call for the implementation of NHI by the year 2025 as envisaged by the white paper.
5. COSATU must campaign for a state pharmaceutical company and must stop rent seeking or corruption among drug companies who are milking the state in the form of billions of rand on drugs per year. And for production of health machinery and other equipment in the country.
Health and Safety
COSATU is concerned about the increased incidences of mine accidents that have resulted in injuries and fatalities in various mines and in other workplaces. Injuries and death at workplaces are an indication that employers are only interested in profits and not in workers as crucial safety regulations are not adhered to. Mining fatalities and Lily Mine disaster which has swallowed 3 of our comrades whose bodies to this day have not been recovered are further indication that employers are derelict in complying with health and safety with impunity. There are few penalties and in cases where workers are claiming compensation they are faced with unnecessary procedures by compensation fund and employers often frustrate the compensation claiming process.
Many workers get ill at work and they only become aware of their sickness after they have resigned. Where the sickness is discovered during the course of work the worker is not assisted to link the disease with workplace. The department of labour needs to invest more in the identification and treatment of occupational diseases. The laws must be changed to ensure hat there is full time health and safety officer in every workplace whose function must include indentifying occupational diseases and referring workers for testing and screening.
When workers sell their labour they do not sell their lives. However, often the risk of
Non compliance with health and safety is on the employee. Employers still regard health and safety measures as costs on the employer which have to be paid for by the workers and their families. This practice and attitude of burdening families to take care of their breadwinners who are injured and who perish in the course of their work due to employers’ lack of health and safety measures must stop.
When workers were killed at Sibanye Gold they conducted memorial service during working hours. Some of the workers were given disciplinary letters and some were fired. In terms of the current practice in the mining sector when there is a death, workers are
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allowed to take a day off and to mourn their fallen comrades. However, Sibanye and Mr Froneman have refused to abide by this agreement. We met with the portfolio committee on mineral and energy and Sibanye. Sibanye remains adamant that it has done nothing wrong.
Six workers were killed in Limpopo when their bus was petrol bombed at Driekop village near Burgersfort, Limpopo, 44 others were injured. It is allegedly reported that the fight was over tenders in the mine.
We convened a meeting with NUM and Sibanye where Sibanye refused to take responsibility for health and safety at its various shafts where workers have died.
COSATU has lodged a Section 77 application to Nedlac on health and safety citing the following reasons:
The compensation claiming process is cumbersome, very long and most workers are denied their right to compensation. The compensation fund has R500 million of unclaimed monies which belongs to the injured workers, at the same time workers are living in poverty, and some workers resort to SASSA for some income.
The health and safety inspectors are not effective in monitoring and enforcing compliance with health and safety policies and laws and where there is enforcement there is resistance from employers.
We have demanded among others the establishment of a commission of inquiry into compliance with health and safety in all workplaces and compensation system and for the reform of the legislative framework and institution that are responsible for enforcing health and safety measures.
Nedlac negotiations have resulted in an amendment of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 130 of 1993 (“COIDA”) to among others amend the definition of an employee to include domestic workers who are currently excluded from accessing compensation benefits. How do we prevent and identify occupation diseases and make the compensation process quicker and easier?
Recommendations:
1. We need fulltime health and safety officers whose function must include monitoring health and safety at the workplace.
2. These officers must also assist workers in claiming compensation.3. The health and safety laws must be reviewed to provide for strong criminal and
civil liability of managers.4. All affiliates must have health and safety structures similar to the NUM health and
safety structure.
4. Parliamentary Office
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COSATU Parliamentary Office Programme:
2016 – 2019 (End of 5th Parliament)
Below is a report for congress on some of the key bills, acts and regulations that COSATU has engaged and is still engaging with at Nedlac, Parliament and/ or directly with Government and that are intended to be concluded before the end of the 5 th democratic Parliament in April 2019.
This is a summary of the key issues that featured in the bills and that COSATU and affiliates pursued in their engagements. It does not include all bills, acts and regulations, but rather the key ones that COSATU sought to advance the interests of workers on. Bills, acts and regulations often take years to move from draft proposals to being signed into law and thus many of the timeframes have not been concluded.
They are listed under their respective departments which are listed alphabetically below.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Bill
Agriculture is one of the largest employment sectors in the economy. South Africa has limited available land that can be used for agricultural purposes. Large amounts of agricultural land is lost every year to urbanisation, soil and environmental damage and cases where it is rezoned by municipalities tempted by higher rates from shopping centres, condos etc.
The PDAL Bill seeks to protect agricultural land by building a comprehensive database on the available and types of agricultural land and more importantly requiring the Department’s approval when municipalities want to rezone agricultural land.
COSATU has strongly supported this bill at Nedlac as a key developmental planning bill to protect approximately 800 000 farm workers’ jobs and homes as well as to ensure the nation’s long term food security and sovereignty.
Business has fought this bill continuously as it believes it will infringe on some of its constituencies’ profits at all costs approach, e.g. shopping centre and property developers. It has ignored how this bill in fact seeks to save a strategic economic sector, namely agriculture.
The bill was before Nedlac until government got cold feet and temporarily withdrew it to allow for further consultation. This is partly linked to the expropriation but also linked to pressure from business against the bill. It is hoped that it will be tabled at Parliament by the end of 2019. This may depend upon how much resistance business and the opposition in Parliament puts up against it.
Aquaculture Development Bill
Aquaculture has been identified as a key growth opportunity for the economy, jobs and small farmers and fishing communities. It is part of Operation Phakisa and still a fledging sector. The bill is intended to provide a legal framework for it, establish health and other standards.
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COSATU has welcomed the bill as an opportunity to grow the economy and create jobs as well as to expand opportunities for small farmers and fishing communities.
The department agreed to COSATU’s proposals to:
Require the industry to abide by all labour laws and good labour practises. This requirement will be part of the conditions for industry licenses. Organised labour must be included on the sectoral forums. The department can only approve aquaculture import licenses if they will not
threaten local jobs and economic growth.
The Nedlac engagements have concluded. It must now be tabled at Parliament. It is hoped that Parliament can adopt it by the end of 2018. However it might only be tabled in 2019 after the elections.
Basic Education
Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill
This bill proposes to review and downgrade the powers of school governing bodies in terms of appointing educators, language and admissions policies, fees and finances. The bill also prohibits officials from doing business with the state.
Some of these are needed to prevent language or admissions policies to exclude African children for example.
However some of the provisions are worrying as they will have the effect of disempowering SGBs.
An area requiring further engagement is limiting the powers of schools to only recommend the appointment of level one educators. SGBs will not have any powers to appoint or recommend educators above level one. This is in response to the Volmink Report which sought to blame unions for the selling of teachers’ posts.
Another key area requiring engagement and significant changes is the criminalisation of activities which disrupt schooling. Whilst this may seek to deal with communities which have prevented schooling during protests, e.g. Vuwani; it will have the additional consequence of criminalising teachers and unions who embark upon legally protected strikes and protests. This is in conflict with the Constitution and the Labour Relations Act.
The department has presented the bill to Nedlac. Engagements are expected at Nedlac in 2018 or 2019. The department is likely to push parliament to adopt it in 2019 and to claim that it is dealing with teachers’ unions.
Economic Development
Competition Amendment Bill
Since the Competition Act came into operation, the Competition Commission and the Competition Tribunal have investigated many mergers, and exposed and ended several South African cartels and other anti-competitive prohibited practices. There is little doubt that these institutions have been successful.
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The competition authorities have imposed innovative conditions on mergers that give effect to both enabling competition and promoting the explicit public interest goals set out in the Act. Government has intervened in some prominent mergers and engaged the merger parties on appropriate public interest commitments.
Concentrated markets can have the following negative effects:
Dominant companies tend to maximise profits by charging higher prices, at the cost of lower levels of production, employment and investment. The result is that the economy grows more slowly while the dominant firm captures monopoly rents.
Because it is difficult for new competitors to emerge, there is less incentive for dominant firms to innovate and invest in new technologies.
Dominant companies are associated with higher levels of income inequality and narrower ownership structures.
The Bill has three key focuses:
Strengthening the Competition Act’s provisions which enable it to deal with structural challenges in the economy including concentration and the racially-skewed spread of ownership of firms in the economy. The intention of the changes proposed is to unlock the growth potential of the economy through boosting SMME development and attracting investment in and from new entrants in the market, which in turn will support greater efficiency, competitiveness and economic expansion. Examples of changes include:
a. The Bill addresses market or economic concentration principally through changes to the current provisions for market inquiries. While market inquiries are not new – the amendments have expanded the scope and powers of the competition authorities to have a clearer focus on economic concentration and inclusion; and to be able to address any adverse effect on competition.
b. The new provisions provide for the Competition Commission to conduct an inquiry into sectors to determine the structure of markets (e.g. concentration levels); the outcomes observed in a market (e.g. high prices, jobs); and the conduct in a market (e.g. by suppliers) if it has reason to believe there are factors which impede, restrict or distort competition, or if requested by the Minister.
The new provisions give the Competition Commission the powers to consider and make findings on the effect that concentrated markets have on competition and on economic inclusion and to the extent that it finds any adverse effects, the Competition Commission must determine the action to be taken or recommendations to be made. Actions may include any existing remedy available under the Act, including divestiture, and new reasonable and practicable remedies tailored to the specific findings of the market inquiry.
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Provides for scrutiny of the racially skewed spread of ownership of the South-African economy. These measures also are required in order to realise the transformative vision of economic empowerment for all South Africans, in particular those individuals who are historically excluded and disadvantaged, as set out by the Act’s Preamble and which are required to fulfil its Purposes. The amendments proposed will create more opportunities to advance the transformation of ownership of the economy. Examples of changes include:
a. An additional test has been added to public interest criteria applied to mergers namely the extent to which a merger will promote greater ownership, in particular by black South Africans and workers employed at the firms concerned
b. Price discrimination by dominant firms that impedes the ability of SMMEs and black-owned firms to participate in the economy is prohibited
c. A new criterion has been added for consideration in determining whether firms may be granted an exemption – that is to be allowed to collaborate with each other when they normally would not be allowed to. This new criteria is whether or not the firms are owned or controlled by historically disadvantaged persons.
Proposes amendments to the Act aimed at enhancing the policy and institutional framework, and procedural mechanism for the administration of the Act. These measures are designed to improve policy coherence, as well as to promote institutional and procedural efficiency, which is expected to lead to greater investment.
Amendments only one tool: Transformation of the economy cannot be achieved through the Amendments or through competition policy alone. Rather, it is a complimentary policy measure that, implemented with a range of other measures, contributes towards transforming our economy.
Address racially-skewed profile of ownership: At the same time as tackling economic concentration, it is important to address the persistently racially-skewed profile of ownership of the economy.
a. Racially-skewed ownership harms the economy in a number of ways, including limiting the talent pool of entrepreneurs which can grow the economy, bringing creativity and innovation, creating and expanding new enterprises and creating jobs.
SMMEs: The Bill provides for an explicit focus on SMMEs and firms owned or controlled by Black South Africans.
a. SMMEs continue to be recognised globally as an important driver of inclusive growth.
b. SMMEs provide opportunities for employment and participation in the economy across a number of segments of the labour force, including low-
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skilled workers, women and youth and providing opportunities for skills development.
Worker ownership: the proposed amendments aim to create explicit public interest grounds around ownership by workers in firms where mergers are proposed. The anticipated impact is that companies will engage workers and unions around worker ownership in mergers and workers’ stake in the economy will increase in a meaningful way.
Greater innovation, more research and development: continued and accelerated transformation of the ownership profile of the economy is necessary not only to redress historic discrimination and exclusion, but also as part of a sound policy for economic development. Inclusive growth and the harnessing of the skills, talents and productivity of all South Africans is a vital component to ensuring a dynamic and successful long-term growth path for the economy. A less concentrated, more dynamic and competitive economy also promotes more innovation, research and development.
Collaboration for economic development: legitimate collaboration between firms is an essential tool to grow enterprises, promote transformation and economic development, expand industrialisation and accelerate job creation.
It is not the Bill that will discourage investment – but the current status quo of highly concentrated markets that is discouraging investments. Minister has been approached at WEF with the sentiment that companies are not willing to invest in SA because we have such highly concentrated markets with monopolies and cartels.
The changes in the Bill but will address these concerns and open the economy up towards new investment.
The Bill that will support investment through:
Creating certainty through establishing clear definitions for prohibited behaviour and guidelines for exemptions;
Explicitly stating the process in relation to foreign firm acquiring an South African firm and how and when a national veto could apply;
Having clear definitions on pricing;
Providing a clear penalty regime that strongly tackles prohibited practices and thus supports new entrants;
Providing clear legislative mechanisms for complaints, challenges and review;
Promoting transparency through for example, reports from the Committee reviewing mergers on national security grounds, being published in the National Assembly.
The Bill seeks to provide the opportunity for small and medium business to become a greater part of the South African economy. A key challenge facing the South African economy is what is often referred to as the “missing middle” – the lack of medium-sized enterprises relative to more developed economies. In many developed economies,
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productive small and medium business form part of a broader ecosystem together with large firms. The Bill thus provides one of the tools which is expected to help address this imbalance in the economy, and provides a platform for greater investment in and by small and medium enterprises.
The Bill addresses the negative impact of concentration in markets through addressing the structure of markets, the impact that they are having – especially the impact on smmes and smmes owned by historically disadvantaged individuals, and the behaviour of dominant firms.
It prohibits a range of pricing behaviours of dominant firms – for example practices where a dominant firm uses its market power to impede an smme from participating effectively is prohibited; large vertically integrated firms are prohibited from manipulating prices in the value chain (margin squeeze) to keep competitors out; price discrimination that impedes the ability of smmes and black owned firms from participating in the economy are prohibited; the new amendments require the Competition Authorities to consider whether a dominant firm’s prices to suppliers impedes the suppliers’ ability – especially smmes and black-owned companies – from participating effectively in the market.
Additional grounds have been added that allow for firms to collaborate with each other, where they normally would not be able to. One of the new grounds is that the collaboration would promote the participation of smmes.
Concentrated markets with firms able to exercise monopoly power or engage in cartel behaviour raises prices for consumers and limits their choices of products.
COSATU has actively participated in engagements on this bill at Nedlac. It is likely to be passed by Parliament in 2018.
Home Affairs
Border Management Authority Bill
The BMA Bill seeks to establish one government organ to run the border posts. Currently there are 7 government organs and departments operating at the borders. The department believes this will help to address the migration and customs problems.
COSATU had extensive engagements with the department on this bill. These largely arose as the BMA will be a public sector entity and not a public service department. We were not able to get the department to agree for it to be a public service department. However they did agree to the following concessions to COSATU:
The BMA will be bound by all PSCBC decisions, policies and agreements, e.g. annual increases etc.
The BMA will fall under the GEPF and GEMS. This will create a precedence t bring other public sector entities under the PSCBC, GEMS and GEPF in the future.
BMA officials transferred from departments will not be negatively affected in terms of their salaries and conditions of service.
The BMA will be bound by the LRA. This includes the right to strike which the bill had sought to originally ban. Any applications to introduce essential service clauses
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must be done through the Essential Services Commission and only apply to on duty security personnel, e.g. it cannot apply to cleaners, passport officials etc.
BMA officials’ rights under the Protected Disclosures Act remain protected. Labour relations are determined by the PSCBC and the roles of unions are protected. Security functions cannot be outsourced. When the bill comes into effect, this will
compel the BMA to take over the functions of private security companies currently operating at our airports and harbours.
The incremental phasing in of customs collections by the BMA.
The areas where we were not able to find agreement with the department were:
Retaining the BMA’s functions within the Department of Home Affairs. Establishing the BMA as a public service department and not a public sector entity.
COSATU’s objections were based upon a negative impact upon the security and conditions of public service workers and the precedence it will create for other departments to outsource their functions to public sector entities.
Transferring customs from SARS to the BMA. The fear is that this may create instability and result in illegal imports flooding into a fragile economy.
The Nedlac and National Assembly engagements have concluded. It is currently before the NCOP. It is unlikely to make any further concessions to COSATU. The remaining avenues for engagement are with the latest Minister for Home Affairs, the ANC and the President. Parliament is likely to pass it during 2018.
International Relations and Cooperation
Foreign Service Bill
The Department tabled this bill at Parliament without bringing it to the PSCBC first. It seeks to address numerous scandals that taken place at South African missions abroad where officials have abused their diplomatic immunity to engage in various illegal activities.
Strong concern has been raised by members at Dirco that the bill’s proposals may have the unintended consequence of undermining their labour relations as guaranteed by the LRA. It is important to ensure that the bill is in line with public service conditions and the LRA.
The Portfolio Committee and the Department agreed to COSATU and NEHAWU’s position that the bill be delayed at the NA to allow for engagements on it at the PSCBC with the department.
COSATU and NEHAWU are engaging with Parliament and the Department to ensure that collective bargaining is protected in the bill. It is likely that Parliament will seek to pass it by the end of 2018.
Justice and Correctional Services
Traditional Courts Bill
COSATU strongly opposed the earlier version of the bill previously at Parliament as it essentially sought to establish two judicial systems in the country, did not provide people in rural areas a choice as to whether they want to be subject to traditional courts and place women at a further disadvantage. The previous bill was rejected by a majority of provincial
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legislatures and the NCOP. The Department indicated that it planned to overhaul it and reintroduce it in the near future. Government and the ANC itself appear to be divided on it.
The new version of the bill was drafted by the department through a task team that included various civil society organisations. Key concessions and changes make include:
Seeks to regulate existing courts and ensure they adhere to the Constitution. Provides for persons in traditional areas to opt out of traditional courts. Limits jurisdiction to civil issues below claims of R5000. Will fall under authority of judiciary and Department. Requires courts to adhere to constitutional protections of gender and sexual
orientation rights. Courts have no jurisdiction over criminal matters.
Concerns remain over protecting women’s rights to opt out and ensuring gender representation in presiding panels. The department refused to engage with the bill at Nedlac as it is not a socio-economic or labour bill. Engagements are taking place at Parliament.
Whilst many civil society organisations have welcomed the changes and concessions, more engagements need to be held to further protect women’s rights in the bill. It is likely that some conservative traditional leaders and MPs may attempt to reverse the progressive concessions that the department made in the bill.
It is likely that Parliament will push to pass the bill by the end of 2018. However this will depend upon the Provincial Legislatures and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus where the previous (and much more conservative version) bill was defeated in 2013.
Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill
This bill seeks to strengthen the existing act and fill various loopholes. COSATU welcomed its provisions which strengthen whistle blowers’ protections.
COSATU’s proposals were agreed to by the Portfolio Committee and Department which have extended protections to workers (both permanent and contract) who expose corruption and in particular to protect their labour rights, e.g. provisions to prohibit their subsequent work place victimisation. It also provides protection to workers from being sued for libel damages etc. when exposing corruption.
The bill is being processed by Parliament and should come into law during 2018.
Labour
Labour Laws Amendment Bill
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This is a private member’s bill introduced by an ACDP MP in response to a petition from a member of the public and after hearing COSATU call for paternity leave on a radio interview. It provides for:
10 days paid parental leave for fathers or a mother (who is not giving birth e.g. in a same sex marriage or partnership) when their child is born.
10 weeks paid leave for a parent adopting a child under two years of age. The other adopting parent would then qualify for 10 days parental leave.
COSATU strongly supported this progressive bill as it is in line with COSATU’s long standing struggles to achieve greater paternity and family leave provisions.
It was adopted by the NA on the 28th of November and likely to be passed by the NCOP by and come into effect in 2018.
Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill
An additional provision has been included in the Labour Laws Amendment Bill currently being passed by Parliament it to correct a typing mistake in the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act that was adopted by Parliament in 2016 and meant to have come into effect on 1 May 2017. This typing error would have increased paid maternity leave from “17.32 weeks” to “17 to 32” weeks and resulted in it not being implementable.
The Department and Parliament agreed to COSATU’s proposal to correct this mistake in the Labour Laws Amendment Bill currently before Parliament as the quickest route.
It is hoped it will now come into effect in 2018. The key changes to the UIF will include:
Increase UIF benefits from 8 to 12 months.
Increase maternity leave benefits from 54% to 66% of salary within the thresholds.
Allow the Minister to increase maternity leave payments up to certain limits if sufficient funds are available without amending the act.
Allow still born births and third trimester miscarriages to qualify for maternity leave.
Separate maternity leave credits from UIF credits.
Provide for reduced time workers under full time UIF benefits.
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Cover learnerships under the UIF.
Deceased’ beneficiaries will be entitled to the deceased’s remaining benefits.
Reduce time needed to accumulate UIF.
Allow the Minister to issue regulations for domestic and SMME workers if needs be.
Includes public service employees who would now be covered, e.g. if they are dismissed. Their inclusion will also significantly boost the UIF and provide space to increase further access to it by unemployed workers or mothers on maternity leave.
A year after the act comes into effect and their financial impact is clear, the next round of UIF expansion negotiations will take place at Nedlac to see how resignations, informal sector and self employed workers can be included.
National Minimum Wage and Labour Market Stability
The NMW and labour market stability engagements at Nedlac have concluded. Parliament is set to complete its processing of the bills by August so that they may come into effect around October 2018.
Due to delays in completing engagements on the bills at Nedlac and in tabling them at Parliament, the 1st of May deadline could not be met by Parliament as this would have opened it up to constitutional court challenges on the basis that parliamentary procedures and public consultation may not have been adhered to.
The danger or rushing parliamentary processes is that one, mistakes can happen e.g. typing errors and two, opponents of the bill can apply to the Constitutional Court to stop and refer the bills back to Parliament on the grounds that there has been insufficient public consultation.
This happened with the Expropriation and Restitution of Land Rights Acts. Such an event would be very dangerous as Parliament will conclude its work for this administration by November 2018 so that MPs can focus on the 2019 elections.
Whilst COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU had significant areas of concern with key areas of the bills, most of these were dealt with during the parliamentary engagements.
Key aspects of the National Minimum Wage and the Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bills include:
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All workers to be paid at least R20 per hour.
Farm and domestic workers to be pegged at 90% and 75% of the NMW for the first two years and then to be at 100% of the NMW.
EPWP and CWP workers to be pegged at 55% of the NMW.
A NMW Commission to be established to monitor the enforcement and impacts of the NMW and to review and increase it annually.
The NMW Commission to take over the functions of the Employment Conditions Commission and to include representatives of labour, government, business and community.
The annual review of the NMW to take into account inflation, the cost of living, wage inequality and poverty.
Employers who cannot afford to pay a NMW must apply to the DOL for exemptions. Regulations will provide the criteria for such applications e.g. financial disclosures, the extent and length of the exemption etc.
Employers who fraudulently receive exemptions or fail to pay the NMW will be fined and required to pay the monies due to workers, including the fines.
Key aspects of the Labour Relations Amendment Bill include:
Clarifying that the balloting of members before embarking on strikes by unions are secret ballots. This has been in the LRA since 1995 and is the practise of most unions.
Providing for a transition period for those unions that don’t have balloting clauses in their constitutions. Again this has been in the LRA since 1995. Both clauses also apply to employers’ organisations before embarking upon lock outs.
An attempt by business to require balloting of offers made during negotiations was defeated by COSATU.
Allows the CCMA to provide advisory arbitration when violence has occurred during strikes, constitutional rights of people are threatened or in the absence of the complete collapse of collective bargaining. This is an advisory arbitration and not binding. Parties can reject the proposed settlements. However they are required to consult members and to indicate their decisions within 7 or if needed 12 days. Balloting is not required for this process. An attempt by business to require the suspension of strikes during this process was defeated by COSATU.
Allowing the Minister of Labour to extend collective agreements where parties are sufficiently representative. This will assist unions struggling to reach 51% majority thresholds due to the rise of labour broking. It will also cover outsourced workers
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with the collective agreements reached by unions. This is a major victory in the fight against labour brokers and outsourcing.
Allowing default picketing rules to be set through engagements between government, labour and business at Nedlac. This will help protect the rights of workers to picket when rogue employers attempt to intimidate and block them.
Contrary to media hype by SAFTU etc. these bills mark a victory and not a defeat for workers. 6.4 million Workers or 47% of the work force will see their wages rise. Workers’ rights to strike have been protected. Collective bargaining has been extended to cover additional workers where unions are sufficiently representative.
Mineral Resources
Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill
This bill has been extensively engaged upon at Nedlac by COSATU and NUM. It seeks to significantly improve mine workers’ health and safety conditions and rights and to ensure that both the mine companies and their contractors take responsibility for ensuring adequate health and safety levels at the mines.
The Nedlac engagements have concluded. It is expected that the parliamentary processes will conclude by the end of 2018.
Mineral Resources and Petroleum Development Amendment Act and Gas Bill
This Act and bill have been referred back to Parliament by the President for reconsideration due to various legal and consequential concerns raised by the mining industry and government. NUM and COSATU have had extensive engagements with the NA and the NCOP on the MPRDA.
The NCOP may conclude its work by the end of 2018. The NA largely rejected the reasons for the act being referred back to Parliament by the President. It remains to be seen if the President will be satisfied and sign the revised bill. He is likely to be under pressure from business not to.
There has been little movement by the department and Parliament on the Gas Bill.
Police
Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill
This bill will replace the National Key Points Act. This act was adopted during the height of the apartheid regime’s suppression of the liberation movement. It has been especially problematic for unions as it has been used by government and parastatal officials to deny union recruitment, organising and whistle blowing at national key points, e.g. airports, ports etc. This particularly impacts upon POPCRU, NEHAWU, SATAWU and NUM’s ability to organise at national key points.
The Nedlac engagements have concluded. Parliament began processing the bill in at the end of January 2018 and is likely to adopt it by the end of 2018.
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Government agreed to all of COSATU’s demands and made the following concessions in the bill. This was a significant victory to protect workers and unions and whistle blowers and reduce the space to abuse they key point law to hide corruption. The concessions given to COSATU at Nedlac include:
It will not interfere with any union and labour rights whatsoever. All labour matters are to be guided by the LRA and BCEA.
It will not interfere with whistle blowing. This will be guided by the Protected Disclosures Act.
Public consultation processes to be provided for when processing and deciding upon an application to declare a key point.
Such decisions to be made by an oversight body including external experts. The public must be informed beforehand of such applications as well as afterwards
of the decisions. The decisions must take into account public comments. Parliament must receive annual reports on all key points.
COSATU made further proposals to strengthen public participation in the recommendation and approval processes of declaring critical infrastructure as well as measures to protect the rights of workers during searches and to minimise abuses by security agencies.
Rural Development and Land Reform
Communal Land Tenure Bill
The bill seeks to give rural communities the choice as to what form of communal land tenure they want to be governed through, e.g. Communal Property Associations, traditional leaders, cooperatives or other forms of governance.
This is intended to address communities who do not want traditional leaders imposed upon them or want some form of checks and balances against them or simply want the right to decide for themselves how they want to be governed etc.
It is a progressive attempt to address a very complicated and difficult challenge in a democratic spirit. They key challenge will be to pass it before this Parliament concludes. Strong resistance is likely from conservative traditional leaders. This will need to be handled sensitively and strategically.
It is hoped to be tabled in Parliament after the elections in 2019.
Communal Property Association Amendment Bill
This bill seeks to address governance challenges that have been experienced by many CPAs. It provides for norms and standards for CPAs, including template constitutions, how decisions are to be arrived at, managing assets and oversight by the department.
COSATU supported this bill at the Nedlac engagements. It’s currently before the NA and expected to be adopted during 2018.
Extension of Security of Tenure Amendment Bill
COSATU extensively engaged in this Bill at Nedlac. Parliament is likely to adopt it by the end of 2018. It is a very progressive bill that seeks to protect and advance the rights of farm workers. It will compel farm owners to maintain and repair farm workers’ homes, ensure
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access to graves on farms and provide numerous protections and safe guards for farm workers facing evictions.
Key progressive provisions in the bill include:
Substitute the provision of subsidies with tenure grants; Further regulate the rights of occupiers; Provide for legal representation for occupiers; Further regulate the eviction of occupiers by enforcing alternative resolution
mechanisms provided for in the Act; Provide for the establishment and operation of a Land Rights Management Board;
and Provide for the establishment and operation of Land Rights Management
Committees to identify, monitor and settle land rights disputes. Alternative accommodation is provided to farm workers and dwellers when evicted; Farm workers and dwellers are able to erect and access graves and tomb stones for
loved ones on the farms where they reside as well as to hold funerals there; Farmers will be obliged to ensure that adequate maintenance of houses
accommodating farm workers; Farm workers will also be empowered to make repairs as well to houses
accommodating them; Ensuring that the family and dependents are protected with the expanded definition
of family and dependents in the Bill. Land disputes and reform can be overseen and dealt with adequately and
progressively with the proposed Land Rights Management Board and Land Rights Management Committees.
The proposed provision of legal representation, mediation and arbitration will assist in resolving cases, especially those where farm workers have frequently been abused and had their rights violated.
The department and ministry had agreed to COSATU’s proposed additional provisions to further protect farm workers. These provisions include:
The Land Rights Management Board to include occupiers, landowners and organised labour and not less than 50% of the woman representation.
And for farm workers and their dependents to be further protected from evictions by the following insertions:
“An opportunity for genuine consultation with those affected;
Adequate and reasonable notice for all affected persons prior to the scheduled date of eviction;
Information on the proposed evictions, and, where applicable, on the alternative purpose for which the land or accommodation is to be used, to be made available in reasonable time to all those affected;
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Where groups of people are involved, government officials or their representatives to be present during an eviction;
All persons carrying out the eviction to be properly identified;
Evictions not to take place in particularly bad weather or at night unless the affected persons consent otherwise;
Provision of legal remedies;
Provision, where possible, of legal aid to persons who are in need of it to seek redress from the courts;
An eviction may not result in persons affected being rendered homeless or vulnerable to the violation of other human rights; and
A court cannot make an eviction order in the absence of a probation report and report from the local municipality on emergency housing.”
When passed, it will be critical for COSATU and affiliates to engage upon a mass education campaign to ensure farm workers are aware of their new rights.
Regulation of Land Holdings Bill
This bill empowers the Minister to place limits on the size of agricultural land a person may own. This will vary according to the type of crop or livestock and the geographical nature of the area where the farm is located. It seeks to ensure that sufficient farm land is available for land reform purposes.
It also prohibits foreigners from buying agricultural land in future. This is not retrospective and would not impact upon existing ownership. This is limited to agricultural and not other land. In future foreigners will be able to lease and not own agricultural land.
In the event of a foreigner passing away or selling his agricultural land first option to purchase would go to a black person as defined in the Employment Equity Act (e.g. African, Coloured, Indian and women). After that then the government would have the right to acquire it.
Business is strongly opposed to this bill. COSATU supports it as a key tool to advance land reform within the confines of the Constitution. It was before Nedlac. However government withdrew it pending the expropriation without compensation debate. It is hoped to be tabled in Parliament after the elections in 2019.
It should be expected that business and opposition parties may take it the Constitutional Court. However it should pass constitutional scrutiny. There are ample international precedents for such limits to agricultural land ownership.
Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill
The original bill was passed in 2016 by Parliament. However it was referred back to Parliament over fears that insufficient public consultation had taken place. It is now back on track after massive provincial public hearings. It should be adopted by Parliament by the end of 2018.
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COSATU has supported the bill. It essentially provides for a 5 year reopening of the window period for persons to submit land restitution claims to the Land Claims Commission.
Trade and Industry
Liquor Amendment Bill
South Africa faces massive social problems due to the extensive abuse of alcohol, e.g. foetal alcohol syndrome, high road fatalities, high levels of violent crimes, various diseases etc. All have high levels of alcohol abuse as a key cause.
To reduce the excessive consumption of alcohol the bill proposes to:
Raise the drinking age to 21 years of age. Require identity documents to be produced when selling or buying alcohol to
prevent under age persons doing so. Ban the sale of alcohol to visibly drunk persons. Reduce widespread advertising of the sale of alcohol along similar restrictions as
applied to tobacco. Empower the minister to set regulations to prevent the consumption of alcohol by
pregnant women.
Government agreed to COSATU’s proposals that 18 year olds still be allowed to work in places selling alcohol e.g. waiters as this would have causes job losses for many young people.
Government has also agreed to COSATU’s request that wine and similar festivals continue to be allowed as they provide an important economic, marketing, tourism and jobs boost for rural towns that are dependent upon producing wine or Amarula etc. e.g. Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek etc.
Government also agreed on further engagement with labour and business on proposals to prevent selling alcohol near schools, colleges and universities.
Government has also agreed to table a plan to promote and increase our exports of wine, Amarula etc. to help create jobs in the sector.
Business agreed to some aspects of the bill and opposed others that they felt will reduce their profit margins. COSATU supported the progressive aspects of the bill and welcomed government’s agreements to its proposals to amend it to protect jobs and pregnant women.
The Nedlac engagements have concluded. Strong opposition is likely from the DA and other parties. It is hoped to be tabled in Parliament after the elections in 2019.
National Credit Amendment Bill
The portfolio committee is drafting a bill to provide debt relief for the highly indebted, in particular the victims of loan sharks and abusive practises.
Then Minister Gigaba came out in support of it as well. Whilst Minister Gigaba publicly endorsed it as a key bill, Treasury officials were less supportive and raised questions about its constitutionality publicly and been raising numerous obstacles to prevent its speedy passing. This needs to be tackled to ensure the bill is adopted in 2018.
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COSATU has been included in these engagements and supportive of the bill. COSATU has proposed that it include ways to provide debt relief for the highly indebted and victims of reckless lending, e.g. retrenched workers, the indigent, pensioners, students and home, farms and car owners whose property may be auctioned by lenders.
Business has been strongly opposed to it. It is hoped that it will be adopted by Parliament by the end of 2018. Public hearings on it concluded in 2018.
Transport
National Traffic Amendment Bill
This bill is largely administrative. However the key progressive provision in it that COSATU strongly supports is the complete prohibition on drinking and driving. The bill prohibits drivers from drinking any amount of any type of alcohol and then driving. This is to avoid the current grey area on how much alcohol can a drive drink e.g. depending on the amount, type as well as the driver’s height and weight. It is an effort to reduce the high levels of road fatalities caused by alcohol.
Business has opposed this bill.
The Nedlac engagements have ended. It is currently before Parliament and should be adopted during 2018.
Road Accident Fund Amendment and Road Accident Benefits Schemes Bills
These bills were being engaged upon at Nedlac. They are now before Parliament.
They seek to overhaul the current financial deficit that the RAF is experiencing, the massive profits that lawyers make from it at the expense of road accident victims as well as the inordinate delays that claimants experience.
COSATU has supported their key provisions which:
Prevent lawyers from taking money due to claimants. Remove the fault basis when determining claimants’ payments. Payments would now be determined by medical costs and income losses to cover
workers’ loss of earnings. It would also provide for unemployed workers as well to receive income
compensation based upon a national minimum income average of R43 000 per annum. This would be adjusted annually for inflation and to keep inline with the NMW.
COSATU is still engaging with Parliament to extend the scope to cover workers age between 16 and 18 years and over 60 years as these two age groups have been excluded from the bill’s cover.
There has been massive resistance by the road accident legal fraternity as this will massively cut their huge profits they have made out of the RAF at the expense of road accident victims.
By reducing legal fees, it is hoped it will help stabilise the RAF/ RABS which is currently in a huge deficit. It is hoped that this will enable more money to go directly to road accident claimants and not lawyers.
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It is hoped that Parliament will pass this by 2018.
Treasury
Carbon Tax Bill
Government as part of its international climate change obligations has tabled a Carbon Tax bill in Parliament. Emissions above certain carbon emission thresholds will be taxed. It seeks to encourage industry to move to less carbon intense behaviour. It is likely to be passed by Parliament in 2018. In future, adjustments to it will be included in the annual tax adjustments tabled at Parliament.
COSATU has agreed with government that industry needs to pollute less as it is workers who are bearing the brunt in the impact upon their health and environmental destruction experienced by many communities. However our fear has been that this may result in job losses in a sea of unemployment.
COSATU with the support of Parliament has been able to establish an on going task team at Nedlac with government and business to develop a transition and jobs plan. This will look at industries where jobs are under threat e.g. coal as well as industries where jobs can be created e.g. energy, water, land, transport etc. This team will continue after the bill may be passed given the extent of the unemployment crisis and the thousands of jobs at risk due to both climate change and government and industry’s failures to plan for the future.
Health Promotion Levy (Sugar Sweetened Beverages Tax)
Government will implement the health promotion levy in April 2018. Their position is based upon our rapidly increasing levels of excessive sugar consumption and how this has fueled a massive rise in diabetes, obesity, non-communicable diseases and cancer. Diabetes has now become at 9%, the leading cause of death in the W. Cape. Of course, this has left thousands of families without their bread winners, thousands suffering unaffordable medical costs, amputations, death etc. This has a massive impact upon public health care.
We’ve agreed with government that this is a health crisis that hits the poor the hardest. We’ve advised business not to engage in health science denialism.
The concerns we raised very sharply with government is that our economy is bleeding jobs across sectors, unemployment is out of control, government has no jobs plan and the introduction of a tax in this climate has the potential to make matters worse for workers. The sugar sector has lost about 25 000 jobs since 2000 due to the rapid rise in subsidised cheap imports from Brazil as well as a massive loss of agricultural land. A further 15 000 sugar jobs and 17 000 beverage jobs are at risk.
Having said that we’ve not been blind to government’s clear determination to implement a tax and have sought in our engagements at Parliament and Nedlac on how these jobs losses can best be avoided, new jobs created and the health crisis addressed. We have managed to convince MPs across party lines on the need to promote both health objectives at the same time as creating and protecting badly needed jobs.
COSATU has managed to achieve the following:
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Forced government to engage on the tax at Nedlac. This is the first tax government has ever engaged on at Nedlac.
Delayed the tax’s implementation from March 2017 to April 2018;
Reduced the size of the tax from 20% to 10% of price;
Removed 100% natural fruit juice and milk from the tax; and
Government’s agreement to engage at Nedlac on any future expansion or above inflation changes to the tax.
We’ve managed to get government and industry to agree to a jobs protection and creation plan for the sugar and beverages sector which will include, amongst others:
Raising import tariffs to the highest possible level to stem the flood of cheap sugar and related products imports;
Undergo a comprehensive government and industry audit of sugar procurement and a buy local campaign to ensure only locally produced sugar is procured by the state and industry. The beverage industry has committed to increasing their local procurement of sugar from 85% to 100%.
Direct support for small and emerging farmers as well as commercial farmers. E.g. insurance for small farmers, assistance to diversify and produce alternative crops, access to subsidised diesel, electricity and water, training and finance capital;
Retraining and deployment for workers under the UIF schemes;
Support to increase exports to SADC, East and North Africa;
Development of bio-ethanol and electricity cogeneration sectors to provide long term demand stability for the sector;
Increased manufacturing, marketing and distribution of healthier products;
Localisation of the bottling, wrapping and formulation processes for the beverage sector. E.g. the plastic bottles, labels and sodium ingredients will be made locally and not imported; and
A public education campaign for schools, tertiary students and society on the need to eat healthier etc.
The Nedlac and Parliamentary engagements concluded and the tax has come into effect. The Standing Committee on Finance has informed government that it needs to receive regular reports on the jobs plan and that if there are job losses; it may even reduce the tax.
The sugar task team convened by government has been very weak due to a lack of commitment by government. COSATU ensured that a Nedlac task team was revived on an ongoing basis to see how the sugar sector can be protected and grown, in particular local farm and mill jobs.
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Whilst not all of our demands were achieved, the majority were. It also provides a precedence set by COSATU for government to engage on taxes at Nedlac and to require a jobs plan for future such taxes, bills etc. These achievements were the result of COSATU’s interventions and assisted by the support we received from ANC MPs.
Public Investment Corporation Amendment Bill
There has been a great deal of media coverage about various SOEs asking for bail outs of up to R100 billion from the PIC. Government itself indicated it could not guarantee that the PIC would not be asked to bail out SAA. SABC, Denel, Eskom, Free Fees were next in line.
COSATU and many affiliates strongly objected to this attempt to raid workers’ pensions and UIF funds.
COSATU has been engaging Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance on a bill to protect the PIC and strengthen the GEPF and workers’ control of it. The committee subsequently had several engagements with COSATU, the PIC, GEPF, the Finance Ministry and Treasury on this. They have all largely agreed with COSATU’s proposals for such a bill.
The existing PIC Act of 2004 essentially gives the Minister full powers with very little checks and balances on establishing the PIC Board and issuing instructions to it. COSATU’s proposals to strengthen the PIC Act include:
PIC Board:
The existing PIC Act should be amended to remove the Minister’s de facto unilateral and sole discretion to appoint its Board. Currently the Act only requires the Minister to “consult cabinet colleagues” and to “give due regard” to depositor’ nominations”. These are not binding.
The Act should be amended to require union representation on the PIC Board. This should be mandatory and provided for in law and not voluntary or dependent upon the good will of a Minister. These should be selected by the GEPF as the share holder and in proportion to representation by unions at the PSCBC.
As per industry norms, union representation should be required on the PIC board. These representatives should be selected by the PSCBC in proportion to its composition.
There must be checks and balances on the powers of the PIC Board chairperson. It cannot be an executive chairperson with powers to interfere in the daily operations of the PIC as occurred at SAA, Eskom, and SABC etc. previously.
Mandate:
The Act must be amended to provide for checks and balances upon the Minister to issue directives to the PIC Board. Such directives must receive the support of the GEPF before being issued to the PIC Board. They must also be in line with the PIC’s mandate and not simply referred to as in the “public interest” as currently provided for in the PIC Act.
PIC investments must be required to be done in line with the nation’s development objectives, creating and protecting local jobs, sustainable development, building a capacitated developmental state and the transformation of the economy and society.
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Permission must be sought from the GEPF before any significant or out of the norm investments are made by the PIC or changes to its mandate are sought.
Provision should be provided for in the PIC mandate to provide for a housing scheme for GEPF members.
The GEPF, UI and COID Acts should be amended to require their funds be invested through the PIC.
This should be expanded to require all government investments and pension and other funds be invested through the PIC, e.g. pension funds for political office bearers, councilors, parastatals etc.
Accountability and Transparency:
The PIC should be required to submit annual reports to Parliament and open all its books to public and parliamentary scrutiny.
Its reports must be made available on the PIC and Parliamentary websites.
There has been strong support from MPs for COSATU’s proposed bill. It is hoped that the Committee would adopt the bill by April 2018 and Parliament as a whole by the end of 2018.
Parliament
Political Party Funding Bill
Parliament adopted a bill to further strengthen oversight and accountability with regards to public and private funding of political parties. COSATU has been part of these engagements.
Key proposals include:
Prohibiting or restricting foreign donations to political parties. Requiring parties to disclose their public and private funding in annual reports to
Parliament and the IEC. That such reports must be made available to the public on Parliament, the
Legislatures and the IEC’s websites. Prohibiting public funding to parties outside of the IEC, Parliament and the
Provincial Legislatures. Requiring parties to account for public funding that they receive.
COSATU has rejected parties’ requests for a significant increase in public funding in exchange for the above proposals on the basis that the very same parties are calling for cuts in state expenditure, the wage bill etc. and that parties already receive over R500 million in funding annually from Parliament. This excludes funding they receive from the Legislatures and the IEC. As unions are required to finance themselves, so much political parties become more self reliant.
Whilst not all of COSATU’s proposals were included, the bill is still an important step forward in the fight against corruption and state capture as well as strengthening and expanding transparency and public accountability.
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5. Education and Skills Development
COSATU Education and Training 2018 Congress Narrative Report
The 2013 Resolutions on Worker Education amongst others provided that
A. All Affiliates must have a 10% minimum provision on Worker Education
B. We must follow a hynbrid model on Accreditation. That is use both Accredited and Unaccredited models
C. Need to ensure worker and not state control on worker education
Improve on collaborations with all Labour Service Organisations
E.COSATU and Affiliates must be strong on SETA to ensure its proper funding
Chris Hani Brigade must a permanent feature of Education programmes
Linkages to be created between mass education and organising
COSATU has been engaged in the two critical programmes which are Local Office Bearers Training and the Chris Hani Brigade. We have visited and conducted Workshops in all the Nine Provinces with varying success. In total we have reached a number in excess of 2500. Through the the last Two Congresses we have been urged the Federation to embark on a massive Education Campaign based in the Locals. This we started in the last Two Years where we have embarked on an intensive programme as mandated by the Congresses. We have found a very diverse cadre of local shopstewards and coupled with the constant lack of the necessary funds we have not performed adequately on this mandate. There is however key challenges that this Congress has to seriously think through inorder for us to have an effective and a meaningful educational programme in the Locals.
A. Lack of Funds vs the Available National Funds.
The Federation and Affilliates have not addressed the problem of the 10% Fund allocation to Education as previously resolved. There are a very few Affilliates who report on such programmes on a regular basis. We have even developed a very tight checklist on ensuring that even when such sporadic programmes are undertaken we can still assert that those don’t emanate from a well funded and structurally supported programme. This checklist looks at issues like the Existence of a National Programme, the Allocated Funds, NOB responsible, the establishment of the National structure, the appointment of a National Official, POB/ ROB responsible, the existence of the support Provincial structures, the appointment of a responsible Official. The final Monitoring and Evaluation Tool is how the Programme is periodically implemented and what Federation support is required. In many areas we have adviced quite clearly that every Affiliate has a Board seat in the SETA and
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that those Institutions(SETA’s) have an Annual Performance Plans that include an aspect of Worker Education from which trade Union education can also be partly funded. Again very few of the Affilialtes take that available legal opportunity. We also at this Congress need to determine wether the SETA Worker Education Funds should be pegged at 5% of the Total Incomes of the SETA’s which amounts to a total of R788 550 m from a base figure of R15 771 b. These funds if well turped and properly utilised are a substantial amount to kick start Worker Education for all workers. They will be an addition to the 10 % Education and Training Budgets that all COSATU unions have committed themselves to. A serious resource that is never used by the Labour Movement generally
b. Proper Affiliate Shopsteward Preparation.
We have come across many COSATU Local Office Bearers who have not obtained the Basic Induction Training from their Affiliates. When we conduct training we only then establish that such Shopstewards have not been exposed to the Collective Agreement between their Union and Employer, Shop steward Duties, Understanding of Organisational Rights and many other basic understandings. When we further enquire we even find out that issues like total staff compliment of the company and current worker challenges are not well understood or articulated and then we wonder how do they then function. We then conclude that this challenge is posing a serious risk to the organisation and the handling of worker issues at the Shopfloor
C. Poor Attendance of Training programmes.
One of the key challenges is the poor participation and response of Affilliates in the Provinces. We had contracted with the DHET to effectively touch 6000 Shopstewards and we are unable to do that as comrades fail to pitch for agreed programmes in the provinces. Only Three Provinces have numbers that are always beyond the numbers committed to. They are Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo. For as long as Union responses are based on last minute attention as opposed to longer term planning to Education and Training the benefits of such training cannot be easily realised
COSATU needs to enforce the submission which is a legal requirement by Trade Unions of the Workplace Skills Plans. These should be scientifically developed through agreed Personal Development Plans of the Staff and other personnel of our organisations. These are the direct conduits to the Worker Education funds as if such funds are received without any clear plans; we will be soon dealing with the issues of accountability. We should warn comrades that since these are public funds there are even more stricter rules of management, control, reporting and auditing associated with them in terms of the Public Finance Management Act
d. Hybrid Model of Accreditation
Whilst our 2015 Plan enjoined us to follow a hybrid model and promote both accredited and non-accredited programmes, the apetite of our comrades is more inclined to the accredited courses. This therefore needs us to investigate the reasons behind such tendencies. This orientation tells us that we have adopted foreign tendencies where
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comrades are more interested in programmes for their personal as opposed to the broader organisational development. We have now adopted a new strategy that was piloted (albeit without much success) in the Eastern Cape during the May Day mobilisation. We now expect Provincial education Teams to build capacities in various areas and organise Lunch Hour Company Visits and conduct Mass Education. Lunch Hour sessions are but one idea but there can be many forms of mass education. We hope that this method needs to be adopted by all Provinces and Affiliates of COSATU and be directly linked with the mass recruitment and organising programmes
This mass education campaigns must ensure that we reach out to many workers at the same time and promote many activities like May Day whilst at the same time ensuring that common understandings about our rights, campaigns and many other programmes is enforced. At the same time we need to reach out and organise as many members as possible
Whilst this strategy seeks to be in touch with our members it must never be seen as limiting ourselves only to the organised but those who are also unorganised, using the COSATU definition of an unorganised worker. At the same time the strategy will be seeking to balance between the accredited and unaccredited programmes. We also need to engage in other cultural, musical, poetry and other forms of worker education
The trick at all material time sis to always seek the hear the voice and message of workers as opposed to having to relate messages to them. This is a different orientation which totally opposed to the normal notions of education
e. CHB focus
Except for the Limpopo province we have been weak on the CHB programme. We are turning the tide. We are revamping the Material preparing a major and broader political education programme largely based on the CHB. We were previously restricted on this area due to the lack of funding and the failure to secure long term commitment from our poor and insecure funding streams. The newly reconstituted Chris Hani Institute will come in handy on the CHB. We have already conducted various seminars with the Institute covering many topics. The only problem has been the Johannesburg based programmes as opposed to getting around the country on the CHB programme
Alongside the CHB programme we also will still support short Political Economy courses at both DITSELA and Workers College. We also need to promote broader and mass based Shopstewards Economics programme to be done in conjunction with UNISA and University of Pretoria. We hope to grapple with both the technical economic skills and also the political outlook that is mostly lacking with most of the technically oriented professionals
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We will engage in a National Political School that will ensure that the CHB materials are standardised and aligned to achieve our organisational, developmental, and political and compliance objectives. We need to be always mindful that worker education is controlled by the working class regardless of who the primary funder. At the same time we cant be afraid to use public funds as we are the key builders of the public purse
Discussion and Decision Point
How can we best shape our political and ideological training to counter the huge economic, social and political effects of neoliberalism? Who are our other reliable sources and Allies except for the SACP, CHI ?
Transformation
Do we think that COSATU qualifies to be the national driver of transformation given its composition both in the public and private sectors. ? This question entails the areas which COSATU can control and not the composition of the labour force which is directly determined by the bosses. This Congress should be honest and critical in the attempt to answer this question. COSATU has no other choice and remember that besides the previous SACCAWU and DENOSA General Secretaries, it has had none other. The Leadership situation is presently worse and again with SACCAWU leading us. How long can society still belief in our messages of transformation when we are lacking to these proportions ?
COSATU needs to champion transformation very deeply. Our political orientation demands that we become the even more serious champions. However there are many organisational constraints that inhibit us against such achievements. Amongst these are patriarchy and gender stereotypes. As Samora Machel teaches us “the liberation of women is not an act of charity”. We should therefore learn that such a programme cannot be championed by those who still need to go through that hurdle first. We therefore need a very clear and honest examination of our delegations in terms of gender, sexual orientations, age and disability. We need such examination to proceed to leadership, participation and even general direction of this Congress.
In the 2015 Congress COSATU resolved that regular reports on employment equity be provided especially with regards to gender disparities. We were further cautioned that “salary disparities are done away so that women are remunerated equally on the same bases with their male counterpart. We can easily report that employment equity still remains one very critical challenge for the Federation and an area where many other conservative unions still organise against it on the guise that it represents reverse discrimination. What can be observed in the last Five Year reports are the following trends that need the urgent attention of all Affiliates of COSATU and the Federation directly
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1. That the Employment Active Population (EAP) has very clear distinctions from the Population dynamics. This means that there is a greater chance that Africans and Coloureds will have less EAP representation in companies even in areas or sorroundings where they are a majority. Also that when we only evaluate representation of EAP in predominantly Management, Professionals and Skilled Technicians we find an even lesser representation from the total workforce in companies. This means that whilst Africans and Coloureds are less represented in companies, such representation tends to shrink further when you only evaluate the Top levels in companies but is higher in the lower levels like unskilled levels. This then becomes the very first problem with employment equity in that it uses an EAP that is totally not aligned with the population percentage levels
2. In terms of Workforce Distribution African Males constitute the largest representation of all Economic Active Population (EAP). They are followed by African Females except in the Western Cape where Coloured Males and Females are in Majority percentage groups
3. White Males are more represented in Senior Management in and receive the higher levels of skills development generally. In 2012- 2016 also more White Females were promoted to Senior Management and received more skills development than all EAP groups but are only surpassed by White Males in both respects. This means than EE has worked more for White Females in the areas of skills development, promotions and Senior Management promotions than all EAP. Therefore White Males and White Females received the bulk of the Senior Management promotions more than any EAP group in 2012-2016. The conclusion is that the countries workforce is still largely lilly white at the top and largely supported by a huge army of black workers
4.Whilst Coloured Males lead in representation in the Western Cape, Coloured Males lead in the same representation in the Northern Cape. Indians are in the Lead in KZN and Africans in Limpopo, FS and MP. Whites Males and Females generally lead in the Western Cape
5. Indian Males and White Females were recruited into Senior Management more than their rate of representation in the EAP groups.
Discussion and Decision Point
How best can we sharpen our Employment Equity representatives to fight this continued scourge of discrimination. Where should we start ? Do we start the transformation drive at our workplaces through shopsteward elections and then Locals, Regions, Provinces and or National Structures. Or do we start in the next Unions and Provincial Congresses and what targets do we set for ourselves ?
On Higher Education Funding and the realisation of the fruits of Free Education
This Congress takes place against the backdrop pronouncement of a Government policy on Free Education. Interestingly this proclamation was done on the first of the ANC 54TH National Conference. We however know that in 2018 which is the first Year of such implementation we have not properly enjoyed the full benefits of such a position of Government.
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We should remember that COSATU championed Free Education and not Free Fee Education. This means that we viewed the provision to cater for Fees, ACCOMODATION, Transport, FOOD and even Books in Higher Education. One of the key resolutions of 2013 was the speedily implementation of Free Education through the Education Alliance structure that will be responsible for synergising the higher education processes and be accountable to the NEDCOMM. Many of our Affiliates unfortunately still regard social issues like Health and Education as sectoral as opposed to viewing as social or rather class issues without which socialism cannot be easily realised. Such a structure does exist and is coordinated largely by SADTU and NEHAWU who are the two key Affiliates directly affected by issues in the sector
The reports on these matters have been ongoing. They started with the 2015 Fees Must Fall campaign. These were a direct build up from the Rhodes Must Fall campaigns which were about transformation especially of the Historically White Institutions. The CEC received the State of Tertiary Education reports in 2016. The Reports touched on the Fee Increase related problems. We have started 2017 with TVET Colleges' upheavals largely due to poor examination planning and management. The major student demands were funding but where the riots were more strong and have sustained until now it has largely been due to the failure of institutions to administer the NSFAS package and the non-receipt of 2016 results. The 2016 National Senior Certificate examinations have provided a further 441 479 new entrants into the Post School system. This immediately increases the demand for both student placement and deepens the funding in the system. On the other hand Provinces like KZN, GP and WC continue to report admission problems for all grades in the basic schooling system especially with regards to parents who have migrated with their school kids to those provinces. Even in the provinces where such reports are low Metro areas experience such problems of learner accommodation in the basic schooling system. The continued TVET and Universities strike are now having a negative impact on Post School Education and Training sector. The following are clear and glaring problems
11. The lack of a comprehensive approach to student and worker demands and their presentation in piecemeal approaches
12. The continued hijack and therefore loss of the moral high ground of the student and worker demands and struggles
13. The slow decline of the progressive forces as a dominant voice on campuses.14. The opportunist rise of other tendencies that wish to destroy COSATU structures as
opposed to fighting the Bosses as witnessed at UNISA recently15. The corporatisation of the public institutions symbolised by the management
responses which is equal if not worse than that of capital16. Foreign Academic migration coupled with Vice Chancellors resignations or non-
renewal of Contracts. The haemorrhaging of the academic, technical and other skills from these institutions to the private sector
17. The continued growth of NSFAS and the lack of Scarce Skills funding focus18. The rise of the Private Higher Education institutions and their related costs19. The growth of the negative public perception that University students are an
exclusive group demanding more. This is fuelled by the continued destruction of Public property
20. The relegation of Workers demands as Non-Issues
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COSATU continues to support the struggle for Academic transformation and Free Education. We however need to discuss more practical support mechanisms to the PYA. Our union NEHAWU is also involved directly in the quack mire
Discuusion and Decision Point
Do we think COSATU in general and not only Education related Unions have played a critical role in the attainment of Free Education ? What are the areas of focus except for Outsourcing, Transformation, Decolonisation, Privatisation, Job security and Salary disparities still need to be addressed in Institutions of Higher Learning ?
Basic Education Infrastructure Norms and Standards
On Peoples Education for Peoples Power we resolve that “we should lobby the ANC government to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning by providing the necessary tools”
The Department of Basic Education responded and we engaged and agreed on the Norms and Standards of School Infrastructure at NEDLAC. The Minister of Basic Education needed to apply such standards to all public schools by last year. Many cases of the total disregard of such standards are recorded over the years. They range from the continued existence of the Mud schools especially in the Eastern Cape, the reported R800-R1000 Teacher Salaries in the North West, the Two pit toilet learner deaths in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, the gang violence fights spillages into schools largely in the Western Cape, the 2016 recorded KZN tragic event of the shooting of an Acting School Principal by thugs due to the lack of adequate security as envisaged in such a document. Virtually all provinces report a lack of adherence with such provisions especially for Township and Rural schools leading to the Department defending countless court actions.This means that one fundamental aspect of transformation which is equity in the provision will not be catered for. These Township and Rural schools continue to have learner- teacher imbalances. These can at times be extremely low leading to closure or generally extremely high numbers leading to low or no proper discipline and leaner control. They also suffer the lack proper shelter, sanitation, water, electricity, laboratories( both for science practicals and language training) and also enough spaces to provide opportunities to develop both the physical and cultural talents. This is however not factored in the analysis of the results of learners throughout the system
Discussion and Decision Point
At what stage must start for the call to step down of MEC’s and the Minister in relation to the failures of education ? For how long should our Unions as opposed to responsible politicians take the blame from neoliberals like Maimane on the failures of the Schools ? This Congress should discuss the matter and agree on a clear course of action
NEDLAC Negotiations on the NSDP (National Skills Development Plan) and the SETA Landscape
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The 2013 Resolution demanded amongst others that the following are very imperative in the advancement of skills development
1. The development of a long term plan on skills development2. The public sector should NOT be exempted for the 1% levy payment3. We should ensure changes on the percentage differences between Mandatory and
Discretionary grants. The example given was 20% Mandatory Grants, 50% Discretionary Grants and 30% National Skills Fund
4. The NSDS should ensure that employers report on their total spend on education and training and not only the 1% in line of the SDLA. This will align them to the BBBEE Act
5. Illiteracy eradication through skills levy funds in 20156. Rural outreach programmes be the core domain of NSDS through TVET Colleges7. Building the capacity of Public providers
The NEDLAC process has started under the Labour Market Chamber. We have now agreed as All Social patners that the Community Constituency should be added onto the key stakeholders that need to be engaged through the NEDLAC process.We are represented by the following comrades in the Task Team that will finalise its work around July 2017, Mike Tau (SACCAWU) Modise Letsatsi (DENOSA) Amon Teteme (NUM) Lebo Moshoaliba (SATAWU) Lazelle Van Kramberg (SAMWU) Babsy Nhlapho (COSATU). The core demands of Labour (directly shaped by our 2013 resolutions) that all Federations have agreed that will represent the core of our demands in the NSDS changes are :-
1. The END of the periodical Five Year Licencing of SETA’s and their establishment as Permanent institutions. The Boards of Governance and Senior Management will however remain with Five Year appointments and Contracts
2. The demand to increase the skills levy from 1-4 % of the total payroll3. The demand to end the public sector exclusion from the levy payment4. The need to balance Unemployed to Employed learners5. The demand of Abet or Lower levels Training6. The need for SETA’s to have a Provincial Foootprint7. The demand to align Equity directly with Skills Development8. The demand to align skills development to the BBBEE legislation
The key message from Business and Government so far is that the Levy payment is a Money Law and thus falls out of the ambit of such negotiations. We have argued against such a view and have thus asked that the Treasury representatives be brought on board. Whilst we are all clear on the demands the Labour sore point is the failure for us to agree on the SETA Dileneation. This is an area that the CEC must give proper mandate and guidance on. These are the SETA Alignment proposals. The following proposals emanate from the 2011 SETA Dermacation proposals. They are informed by merger resolutions and are also in line with the 2009 NEDLAC Framework Document on the strategies against the then 2008 financial crisis
1. Finance, Banking and Insurance SETAs merge into One SETA. The Sector is very obvious
2. Agriculture and Food SETAs merge into One SETA.
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3. LGSETA and EWSETA merge. This is very contentious but the sectors are directly linked. The NUM remains opposed to such merger. We hope the CEC can prevail on the comrades
4. PSETA merge with Health and Welfare SETA. This is the broad Public Sector minus Education
5. TETA remains as is 6. SASSETA remains as is7. Construction CETA remains as is8. MQA remains as is9. CHIETA remains as is 10. ServicesSETA remains as is11. ETDPSETA remains as is12. MERSETA remains as is13. ICTSETA remains as is14. FPMSETA remains as is15. WRSETA remains as is 16. CATHSETA remains as is
The proposed Youth Employment Scheme (YES)
Discussion and Decision Point
The Department of Labour has the Public Employment Scheme which is cost effective. If therefore we needed a YES programme why was such delivered through a privatised company and what are the implications to the existing machinery of the state ?
We have previously complained that the State has a habit of creating competing entities against Government departments. However what happened with the YES programme spearheaded by the State President was a direct dereliction of duty by our government. We seem to agree with this neoliberal notion that the state has no role in the area of job creation except to regulate the labour market. We cannot be believing ideological onslaught by capital. We need to engage the Presidency on the reversal of this scheme. Just like the Employment Tax Incentive we can be guaranteed of one thing which is that no Young people will be absorbed into the labour market in terms of that scheme. We have historical and empirical accounts on these matters. These directly relate to the following
1. Since 2000 employers have refused through the Learnership programmes to agree on percentages of learners to be absorbed into full employment
2. YES as a scheme that takes even young people at Matric level for a Year cannot have any meaningful training for the Young people involved
3. The scheme was primarily designed to raid the coffers of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and whilst such intentions have been shelved for now, such will be rehershed in the near future
4. Capital especially here in our country has had a free ride and they will thus continue to focus only on the proceeds of free and cheap YES labour. This they did (and still do)through the learnership system where young people are exploited and abused as replacement labour whilst no new permanent appointments are done.
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The2013 Resolution on Youth called for the “development of a strategy of organising the unemployed (of which young people are the vast majority) starting with a mechanism for retaining membership of retrenched workers”
To effect this resolution in 2016-2017 we have been involved in yet another youth employment scheme has been conceived after the Employment Tax Incentive. This scheme is envisaged to run for the initial Three Years and later be continued on an Annual basis. It aims to cover a total of 330 000 Interns. The period of such a programme is envisaged as One Year. This scheme hopes to also link with the BBBEE requirements for Businesses. There are quite clear problems with such a scheme that needs to be clarified with Government and Business. These are listed here below as :-
1. The lack of clarity whether such a scheme replaces the Youth Employment Tax Incentive or if not whether companies will jointly benefit from both the schemes. What are the financial implications are there for Businesses
2. Whether since Businesses seek to link with the BBBEE scorecard, do they only qualify once they begin to spend the stipualted 6% of their payroll on training
3. The equity clarification of the Black Youth in line with the SDA and EEA prescripts4. The total financial benefit to Businesses per Learner per YES programme including
the related Tax Rebates (that are never mentioned but maybe the source of such a scheme)
5. The costs of Learner Placement of R60 000 vs that of the Public Employment Service which currently stands at around R3-6000 per Learner. The question of the privatisation of such a service at a cost of more than Ten times the public sector scheme
6. The continued raiding of the UIF to release funds for such a scheme. Whether as COSATU we agree with such a direct state capture that will cost the Fund around R8b Annually
Our hope is that whilst addressing the plight of young people through either this Scheme we don’t become part of the capital’s agenda to plunder the resources of the state. We remain committed to the realisation of full employment and protection of all workers through labour rights. We however realise that in many instances such rights gets trampled even in the conceptual stages of programme design. This therefore urges the Federation not to be against such engagements as whilst they drive our agenda of full employment, they cannot be designed to be the source of our problems
6. International
Background
The 13th National Congress of COSATU is taking place in a world of very complex, yet, more defining and uncertain developments that essentially reflect the true character of capitalist
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development and its primary characteristics and contradictions. The principal trends that define the world today are mainly that;
The Global ruling classes seek to consolidate their power and sharpen their principal instrument of accumulation, Multinational Companies profitability through the brutal re-organisation of society, the workplace and the political economy as a whole
The power of the working class is undergoing both strain and renewal, to varying degrees and under different conditions, globally. This is configuring the class and its power to wage a sustained struggle under extremely changing conditions and forms of organisastion.
Meanwhile, the crisis of capitalism, the logical of profit over human needs and the essence of greed, are daily being questioned in struggle by different ways in which people are rejecting looting, corruption, parasitism, plunder, inequalities, impoverishment, starvation, landlessness and all and every form of greed and suffering.
Africa’s paradox of growing economics and growing poverty, massive natural endowment and massive levels of desperation and hunger live side by side and growing deeper or higher together
Even under those conditions of intensified struggle, it is undeniable that, the working class is under serious attacks and from all fronts by a multiplicity of forces led by the global ruling elites in the advanced capitalist countries. Equally, it is undeniable that the working class is resisting and fighting back.
The re-designed neo-liberal landscape is increasing expressed by the vicious attacks on the rights of workers to strike, organise and the very right to exist and have a decent life for workers and trade union organisations..
It is in this context that this report seeks to highlight the work and progress the federation has made since the last National Congress and what it means to the efforts towards the active consolidation and deepening of the class struggle on a global scale, to both fight the attacks on the working class and at the same time, defend the gains workers have made over the years. In all this, Africa is our primary terrain and homeland, which places all our work at the centre of the African struggle for decent work, human dignity, jobs and industrialisation towards sustainable development
In this report, we shall confine ourselves to only the international resolutions and programmes of the federation, and not the analysis of the global power dynamics or the global balance of class forces in detail.
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The fast changing landscape on the African continent, particularly the game changing introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Represent a real qualitative shift in the political economy terrain of the continent in various ways;
It introduces a bigger market size and pool for economies of scale in the integration of markers, goods and services
It generates potential for inward development of goods and services, hence the pressure for industrialisation and value addition
However, it also creates spaces for the further dominance by bigger foreign Multinational Companies from the US, EU and China, who are more organised and ready to take fully advantage of the new spaces as they operate it daily, anyway. It might result in free trade for non Africans than the actually intended beneficiaries, the African people and their economies
Lack of adequate skills might hamper or disadvantage Africans in this competitive terrain and render this important initiative a tool for disempowerment than actual empowerment, particularly women and youth.
But the essence and spirit must always be welcome, as should the SADC Industrialisation Plan and the AU 2063, the Africa We Want Vision, which have important points to address the crisis we face, but what remains is political will to invest in the development of capacity, infrastructure, human resources, governance and accountability system, as well as investment in people than mere profit-craze in the developmental model we striving towards.
CRITICAL POINT: Are COSATU affiliates connecting well with the global developments of their sectors and sister unions, particularly on the African continent to hold firmly real influence and direct things in the interest of the working class or we still held back by narrow nationalist boundaries from being a class in the sense of Marx?
Part ONE: Trade Union Internationalism as our primary terrain of class struggle for workers power
Four Parts to the overall scope and focus of COSATU International work;
a. Content of our internationalism
b. Context of our internationalism
c. Organisational Structure and form of our internationalism
d. Processes and Future Considerations for our internationalism
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a. The Content of our internationalism
The following key points are primary in defining the content of our internationalism;
“Accumulation of massive wealth on one hand and accumulation of misery on the other”, is how Marx summarised the inherent development, design and functionings of the capitalist system.
Capitalism is a system, meaning rule of capital whose ideas, organisation and tendencies aim at accumulating profit and therefore, reproducing the system of class dominance on a global/international/universal scale. It is not just a national system.
The organisation of each class determines and is further determined by the power it wields in society and thus, the centrality of class power. Our struggle is for class power and therefore, our organisation and forms of struggle must, at all times, be guided by that aim.
It must be accordingly noted that Proletarian internationalism is not the same as trade union internationalism, though they inextricably linked and connected. This profound linkage and distinction clarifies why COSATU affirms its revolutionary content, class character and militant traditions of struggle, based on mass workers struggles and advanced organisational traditions.
In this regard, there are priority areas that we must pay more attention to and build a movement for just socio-economic alternatives, but in a context where the struggle, is to ultimately change the global balance of power in concrete political and strategic terms;
The Ecological and climate justice crisis – it is not an accident of history that the destruction of the environment corresponds directly with the model of “development”, prescribed by the model or system we “developing” under, called capitalism.
Fighting for Fair and developmental industrial and trade systems that enhance manufacturing capacity and job creation
The Poverty, unemployment, inequalities and hunger crisis
Fighting the ruthless power of Multinational Companies and corrupt elites
Fighting against racism, national oppression, imperialism and occupation
Building a democratic developmental state, particularly in the Southern African region
Building a broad front of progressive and democratic forces to draw in the widest possible forces against all and every form of injustice and human suffering
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Towards that end, COSATU Congress Resolutions concretely give strategic content, practical expression and tactical guidance towards in pursuance of the above stated aims and in giving direction and effect to its Principles. They are regularly evaluated by the Central Committee (CC) as regards progress, relevance and focus.
b. Context of our internationalism
The Southern African economy was, primarily shaped by and in the interest of colonial (capitalist) accumulation to become the supplier of raw material, cheap labour and markets for the products of the metropolitan (colonial masters) countries.
The main sectors of the economy in the region are mining, agriculture, eco-tourism and increasingly, services. The political economy of the region has not undergone any fundamental changes since the liberation/independence period. Most often, the post-colonial regimes acquired the neo-colonial state and power, but did not change them towards serving a new, democratic and developmental agenda. This led to the further integration of the regional political economy into the unequal and unjust global system as an instrument for the advancement of the narrow interests of the former colonial powers, with the collaboration of the new regimes.
The new regimes inherited and strengthened the very structures colonialism used to oppress and marginalise the African majority, hence the intensification of post-colonial suppression and persecution, accompanied by deepening levels of poverty, hunger, unemployment and inequalities in several of our countries.
The SADC region and the African continent as a whole are naturally endowed with abundant and rich human and mineral resources, which have not yet been effectively and properly harnessed, resulting in the current structure of the regional economy, which is based on the derivation and extraction of mineral commodities for export to the colonial (metropolitan) economies, thereby contributing to the patterns of perpetual neo-colonial underdevelopment and lack of economic expansion and job creation in the region.
Some of these massive and abundant natural resources that are the main reason why the Scramble for Africa by the former colonial powers happened, in the first instance, include; diamond, platinum, cobalt, coltax, uranium, gas, iron ore, coal, agriculture products, water, as well as the vast arable and fertile land.
The Washington-based Global Financial Integrity (GFI), “in the past four decades, Africa has lost about US$1.8 trillion through intricate scams involving western companies and local officials. The looting continues up to today and benefits the west while depriving Africa of development funds”. It goes on to conclude that, during the decade up 2009 in illicit financial outflows involving MNcs through tax evasion, mis-invoicing, import-over-pricing
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and under-pricing of exports, developing countries lost between US4 723 billion and US4844 billion annually”.
Further, According to a Report of OSISA, “Southern Africa is a region of paradoxes. It is a resource-rich region and houses a significant number of “middle- income economies” relative to the rest of the continent’s other sub-regions. Precious and high value commodities are readily extracted from the region to feed the metropolis under various forms of export-led development strategies. In recent years, the region has been posting high rates of economic growth averaging six percent, with Angola, Mozambique and Malawi being touted amongst the fastest growing economies in the world registering much higher economic growth rates”.
It went on to say, “Yet, despite these developments, statistics glaringly show that poverty and inequality have in fact worsened in the last two decades. The paradox of being rich in mineral resources but poor in human development has produced some kind of resource curse in countries of the region”.
It finally said, “The region remains one of the poorest in the world. For example conservative estimates point out that forty five percent of the population of SADC lives on US$1 per day. Life expectancy has declined dramatically in many countries of the region, from a previous high of 60 years, to a current low of 33 years”.
These indicators are telling a profound story or basis of our struggle and issues we have a duty to confront.
c. Structure and Form of our internationalism
The International Department of COSATU is assigned by the federation with the responsibility to oversee, drive, advise and support the federation’s international work in the interests of its constitutional and programmatic mandate.
In this regard, it offers support to the Political leadership, NOBs and other Constitutional structures towards that end, providing quality technical and strategic insights and writings that advance that mandate.
In that regard, there are four distinct objectives that make the scope of the Department;
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1. International Policy, research and analysis2. International Cooperation, Relations and Communication (often called networking)3. International solidarity, Campaigns and Coordination infrastructure4. International Systems Management and Logistics Administration
The Federation, through its Central Executive Committee (CEC) Annually adopt an International Programme and Budget, based on the Congress Resolutions and at the same time, quarterly evaluates progress on same.
2018 International Programme included herein as part of the Reference Material and as for Outline of our Priorities for this year. Amongst the key priority issues in the 2018, as other Programmes we have always taken up, are the following international Solidarity Campaigns;
The struggle of the Saharawi people (in Western Sahara) for self-determination and freedom from colonial occupation by Morocco
The Cuban peoples struggles against imperialist aggression and for the territorial integrity and sovereign self rule against state-sponsored terrorism by the US. This has spread with Brazil, Venezuela and various parts of Latin America as expanded frontiers of US imperial aggression
The struggle for democracy and freedom from royal oppression in Swaziland
The struggle against apartheid and colonial occupation against the Palestinian people by Israel
The struggle for democracy and justice in Zimbabwe
Various struggles that affirm the dignity and freedom of workers, human rights and justice for all
d. Processes and Future Considerations for our internationalism
One of our Core founding Principles as a federation is international solidarity, based both on the fact that we were born at a crucial time in the history and struggle of the people of South Africa against apartheid (expressly racial variant of capitalism), but also in the broad struggle against global capitalism itself.
We remain fixated with the fast changing global developments and struggles that shape the situation today in the world and how best to make durable and effective interventions that enhance our perspectives and challenge imperialism and all forces against humanity.
The IRC, accordingly met last month and decided that this matter, as done before, must not be discussed outside the prevailing balance of power, global configuration of class forces
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and the practical modalities of pursuing our class struggle in the concrete situation today and moving into the future.
In that regard, the IRC recommended to the on-coming CEC that, a Strategic reflection session on our Internationalism today and moving into the Future, be held before National Congress for the purposes of the following tasks;
Correctly assess the balance of power and the forces shaping the world today and their concrete meaning to our struggle for working class power, in class and organisational terms:
Clarification to the essence and meaning of trade union internationalism, to draw in the widest possible sections of workers into active, united and focussed struggles around minimum battles against the most basic manifestations of socio-economic crisis of capitalism at the workplace, community and in society generally
Clarify our Strategic Perspective on the most contentious issues brought to the fore by the development of capitalism today and how to relate to them;
The Future of Work (what kind of jobs, workplace and organisational design and systems are now defining work and how do we respond?)
What is the 4th Industrial Revolution? The digitalisation of human relations and society and what do they mean? What does it mean for workers and the skills effect, particularly in the developing world and its propensity to totally displace human beings, unless ICT must serve human development and social progress?
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the struggle for the Universalisation/internationalisation of decent and dignified living conditions for humanity – workers and poor communities at the front
From all these, we hope to be able to adequately and appropriately, respond to the basic question on; what is the future of trade union internationalism? What Organisational model, capacity and resources are required to advance our aims in the most concrete and effective way possible, given the concrete realities, we face and shall still face?
In the midst of all these global manifestations and crisis, how best do we allocate our minimum resources and capacity to make real contributions, without either under-utilising our power or exaggerating it, in a real world where balance between the ideal and real is an imperative.
Reference Materials
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1. COSATU National Congress Resolutions2. COSATU International Policy Document3. CEC decisions4. IRC Outcomes5. International Practitioners Resource Handbook6. International Shopstewards Guide (final Draft form)7. Departmental Plans and Priorities – Matrix of the Implementation of CEC and IRC
Decisions, Lines of Duty and Scope for each member of the Department and the Framework for International Deployments
8. Specific Tasks allocated and assigned by the Secretariat and NOBs from time to time
According to Karl Marx, “Man make history, but in conditions not of his own choosing”. A struggle is about what we don’t want and are fighting against, as much as it is about what we want and are fighting for. But, the reality of what we want and what is possible now and in the long term, is the imperative of strategy and tactics, determined by the balance of power and the forces we working with and those we working against.
We are waging a struggle under extremely adverse and complex conditions, which require both advanced theory and practice. Often, our Principles, Strategy and tactics call upon us to make even more sophisticated readings of the balance of power and the forces we are fighting with and against.
But as we do so, we never lose sight or focus of what it means to be a revolutionary, an internationalist and a true cadre of the class struggle, even as conditions change daily.
The past we inherited, but the present we can influence and the future we can make, should help us design a carefully crafted Strategic Perspective in a world of both crisis and opportunities for workers.
CRITICAL POINT: Are we using the contradictions and opportunities of uneven class consciousness and level of organisation in the international trade union movement to advance a real working class agenda in a more nuanced and sophisticated way or maybe we may be mechanical, even as we remain bold on the real working class issues?
But also, what real and imagined influence and power do we wield in the international terrain, to advance or form strategic alliances towards our goals?
Part TWO: Progress since the 12th National Congress of COSATU
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In this regard, we wish to herein outline some of the major and most pronounced focussed activities that have taken place in the duration since the last Congress and the actual progress recorded so far;
1. Africa Trilateral Cooperation Conference: COSATU (SA), NLC (Nigeria) and TUC (Ghana)
The Africa Trilateral Cooperation is the historic relationship between COSATU (South Africa), NLC (Nigeria) and TUC (Ghana), amongst the foremost trade union movements on the African continent. It is a relationship born in the trenches of struggle against apartheid, colonialism and military dictatorship at various times of our countries historical development.
Following our very successful Africa Trilateral Summits held in Ghana and Nigeria, South Africa hosted the Third (3rd) Summit on the 15th -16th September, 2016, in Johannesburg, in the city of Ekurhuleni.
The Summit held under the theme: Building a progressive workers movement for development alternatives for Arica: Decent work, industrialisation and Job Creation NOW, was attended by official delegations from unions affiliated to the three federations; Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and Trade Union Congress, Ghana (TUC).
The Leaders of the three sister federations unequivocally reaffirmed their full commitment to the trilateral in order to build unity, solidarity and social justice for workers on the African continent and beyond.
The General Secretaries presented country reports on the political, economic and labour market situation and our role as workers. This particularly emphasised the state of the trade union movement in each country and their activities. This created a good basis for a rich discussion and deepened a better understanding and clarity on issues of common interest.
The Summit deliberated and concluded on the following outcomes:
a) Building strong, united and progressive trade unions in each of our countries as well as supporting other African trade unions.
b) Actively campaigning for workers rights and against multinational companies and all forms anti worker policies, practices and laws.
c) Formulating alternative growth and development path for both Africa’s industrialization as well as re-industrialization to create jobs and fight poverty.
d) Actively campaign against corruption, illicit financial flows and the looting of our economies and for tax justice, fair trade and inclusive development.
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e) Build a democratic developmental state that serves the needs of its people and guarantees peace, justice and security, with active involvement of workers.
f) Fight for a comprehensive social security system for all workers, particularly the most vulnerable such as: informal economy workers, domestic workers, casual workers, migrants, disabled workers, women and youths.
9. COSATU-Ghana TUC – NLC Nigeria Trilateral
We propose that the Geneva meeting should outline a wayforward on this important structure, particularly in view of the issues of possible Nigerian Presidency of the ITUC during the coming ITUC World Congress in Denmark, December, 2018 and the next Congress of the ITUC Africa next year, 2019 and its implications for us and the continent.
The next trilateral Summit will be held in Ghana ideally, in 2018 whilst the leadership meeting was supposed to have been held in Nigeria in 2017. But that is a subject of leadership Consultation to determine new possibilities on the wayforward. But as COSATU, the CEC proposed that we now hold the Two sessions together in Ghana, in staggered form; leadership two day session and then followed by full Summit of all affiliates, another two day session and then take the full next cycle to Nigeria, in same form.
2. COSATU International School
COSATU Convened an International School, with delegates drawn from all COSATU affiliates, our alliance partners, representatives of various government departments, civil society organizations, various local guests, international fraternal organizations and our strategic partners in the decent work struggle, such as ILO for the following purposes;
• Deepening our understanding of the changing world, what it means for workers, communities and the African continent in particular• Advancing a clear decent work, industrialization and job creation momentum, in full cooperation with our African and global southern partners for effective development and dignity for all, using the ILO Conventions and Recommendations as our important levers, and;• Finally, Clarifying what our strategic focus and practical tasks are in that regard, by outlining a coherent and insightful programme of action to rally our forces and all progressive partners into action against the crisis affecting humanity, the environment and the quality of life for the peopleThe International School was characterised by very robust, frank, insightful and strategic discussions by our unions, but also massively benefitted from the enriching inputs from our comrades and guests, particularly from Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Venezuela, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Zambia and our alliance partners. The essence of the debates was to understand properly the defining features of this changing world and what does it mean for us and our struggle?The School dealt with the following critical themes;
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The meaning of decent work and job creation to fight poverty and unemployment in Africa.
Building the BRICS trade union forum as the critical force for the international trade union and progressive movement in changing the global balance of power
The UN sustainable development goals, the AU 2063 vision, and our struggle for industrial development, regional integration and fair migration
The role of the African trade union movement in building working class solidarity and unity on the African continent
Transforming the structures of our economies to advance climate justice and create green jobs
What the crisis in Venezuela, Brazil and Latin America mean for working class solidarity and our struggle against imperialism in the era of sustained global economic crisis
3. SATUCC Congress, 2017
SATUCC shall hosted its Congress last year, 2017 in Tanzania. The venue was changed after NACTU offered tentatively to host it at the last meeting of the SATUCC Executive Council in Gaborone, December, 2016. The finality of the venue was to be concluded at the next Executive Council meeting in March in Botswana, in which state of preparedness couldnt confirm positive, hence venue changed to Tanzania. COSATU is actively engaged with the regional and continental conditions of workers and the crisis of underdevelopment, unemployment and poverty. In this regard, this offers another opportunity for us to table a comprehensive set of proposals for effective intervention towards decent work, development, industrialisation and job creation, as well as democracy and human rights in the sub region. The IRC and the international department have been directed to coordinate with all departments and sub structures of the CEC towards such proposals for alternative development path in the SADC region, that shall serve as a rallying platform and point of focus for action by the workers and poor of the region, than being an agenda-less forum in real and substantive terms.
COSATU was also re-appointed Coordinator of the SATUCC Solidarity Committee, which seeks to actively champion the cause of workers and the poor throughout the whole SADC region. In this regard, it went on to identify 4 frontline issues or priority areas of focus;
National Minimum Wage Campaign in each country, according to the level of economic development, but in a manner that ensures that no worker is left out of the most basic minimum living levels in each country.
Jobs and Poverty Campaign, to fight retrenchments, job losses and the conditions of poverty in each country and throughout the whole region.
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Comprehensive Social Security, to build a system of social security that guarantees all workers, their families and communities access to the most basic necessary means of livelihood
Regional Day of action, wherein all workers throughout the region will feel a sense of collective action and solidarity around annually selected themes to inspire workers to confront issues through militant and united struggles
SATUCC Congress held in Tanzania, October 2017- which adopted bold Congress Resolutions and elected new leadership–
Following the successful SATUCC Congress in Tanzania end of last year, an Executive Council preceded by a Symposium on Industrialisation and job creation in Southern Africa was Convened, originally scheduled for the 3th - 6th April, 2018 in Botswana, but later postponed to the 23RD – 25th May, 2018 due to funding and other issues. But later postponed further to the week of the 10th – 12th May, 2018 due to request by some leaders as they shall be hosting a Congress of their affiliate, yet they are key to the meeting.
COSATU has finalised its Five point Plan of action and now at stage of actualising them and priority focus areas of action. A Preparatory meeting is to take place for the same, given that our Presidency demands that we provide guidance and leadership based on programmatic and substantive issues of priority to workers and the region as a whole.
The Proposal from the IRC and adopted by the CEC is that we consider taking a lead in the Technical and Policy Committee and not the Solidarity Committee this time, to drive a new and bold Policy and strategic agenda for the region and towards a new and dynamic role for the working class of Southern Africa.
COSATU was elected as President of SATUCC at a Congress held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania in October, 2017 for a period of five years. COSATU accordingly, deployed its 2nd Deputy President of COSATU, Zingiswa Losi, to assume the post as the leader of the delegation to the Congress, given her outstanding role and capacity in SATUCC and in full affirmation of women leadership in the region.
This was a humbling moment for COSATU and the workers of South Africa indeed, in which, the united efforts of COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU jointly convinced workers of the region, that this responsibility is taken seriously and rightfully bestowed on the capable hands of a collective with a sense of humility, honour and urgency. We remain committed to our united efforts with our sister federations in this pursuit.
Following the several resolutions and contributions COSATU made to the Congress and to other related processes of SATUCC, We hereby wish to follow up with a concrete and simplified Plan to address the real state of our region, SADC and working people organised under SATUCC, as a concrete follow up and targeted action for the said duration. We further note the important SATUCC Executive Council and Symposium on Industrialisation and Job creation in the SADC region that took place in May in Gaborone as a useful and welcome
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step forward in the consolidation and implementation of the Tanzania Congress Resolutions.
Priority Highlights of our Plan during the SATUCC Presidency:
A New and effective SATUCC is a condition for a New and effective developmental SADC – Building effective SATUCC Organisational and Strategic Capacity is our Core mission
A visionary and progressive Policy and Strategic Thinking Paradigm for a New working class path of Jobs, industrialisation and decent work in the region
Building advanced Leadership development skills to deepen advanced worker organisation, innovation and capacity for new and effective ideas through the Southern African Trade Unions Development Academy (SATUDA) Initiative
Grounding a New Culture of effective Campaigning, worker mobilisation and united action around issues facing workers and communities in our region
Institutionalising Social dialogue, tripartism and democratic freedoms in Governance guided by ILO, AU and SADC instruments that affirm worker and human rights for all
5. SADC ELS Ministerial Outcomes SA Chairpersonship Handover to Namibian New Chairpersonship
a. Joint Sector Meeting of SADC Ministries of Labour, National or Economic Planning, Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs on employment and productivity enhancement
b. Follow up on the recommendations of the Report on the assessment of challenges encountered in the ratification of the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour
c. Follow up on the outcomes of the SADC ELS Troika meeting on the Cross Border Portability of Accrued Social Security Benefits
d. Training on the SADC Online Monitoring and Evaluation System for the reporting on the RISDP and Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap
e. Promotion of decent work in the informal sector with a focus on the rural economy
f. Establish SADC position on the work of the Global Commission on the Future of Work
g. Promotion of the ease of doing business in the SADC region
BRICS – Progress on Hosting the BRICS Trade Union Forum 2018 in SA
Having jointly released the SA BRICS Trade Union Forum Presidency as the 3 hosting federations in SA; COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU, we then allowed a process of engagement with our sister federations in the other BRICS countries, which should help us all formulate
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a more coordinated response and targeting of core issues. In this regard, we can now proceed to outline that the focus onwards is on;
The recently held Employment Working Group, mainly Technical session to be hosted in Mbombela, Nelspruit last month, from the 7th – 10th May, 2018 whose agenda has four main themes for the Working Group session;
o Youth Employmento Social Dialogueo Previous Commitmentso Decent Work and Economic Growth: Women participation – Equal pay for
work of equal valueo Social Protection
A COSATU delegation led by the General Secretary, Cde Bheki Ntshalintshali participated fully, together with the other federations and social dialogue partners.
Namibia as in-coming Chair of BRICS and Swaziland as former Chair before SA have also been invited, as tripartite delegations.
From the EWG a process of drafting the Declaration for the Ministerial in July shall ensue and our part is that, the 6 Goals of the SA Presidency shall be the basis of our angle towards a comprehensive input and intervention.
The BRICS Trade Union Forum
COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU are jointly coordinating the 2018 BRICS Trade Union Forum. The Forum will be convened in Durban at the Garden Court Marine Parade on 27-28 July 2018 under the theme: “Inclusive BRICS for Decent Work and Sustainable Development: African agenda which places people at the centre of industrialisation, investment and development”.
The purpose of the BFTU is to create a platform that brings together the BRICS Trade Union Federations to develop a coherent response to the BRICS Heads of States key priority focus areas and to develop their own approach towards influencing the direction of the decisions taken and policies adopted by the heads of states. The trade union forum further seeks to analyse the social and economic decisions and policies of the BRICS to inform the trade union action, and lastly to ensure inclusivity in the processes therefore demanding their space officially within the processes similarly to the way business is included.
The meeting aims to reflect criticaly the significance and progress of the BRICS trade union forum from 2013 to 2018:
How far has the forum come in the common struggles to build working class power, transform the global political economy to serve humanity and strengthen south-south relations in the era of global capitalist crisis
Since the inception what are the achievements and losses so far, reflection on the implementation of decisions taken and resolutions based on the declarations adopted so far. What has been done, what works and what needs to be changed
To develop strategies for the BRICS trade union forum to better advocate and influence policy towards global workers power
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Goals of the SA Presidency of BTUF
The Priorities for the SA Presidency in the Labour Forum are:
· Goal One: Investment in people, social & economic infrastructure and environmental responsibility for sustainable development.
· Goal TWO: Building workers skills, innovation and developmental ICT tools
Goal THREE: Decent work, effective Bargaining and Social Protection
· Goal FOUR: Full Employment and job creation
· Goal FIVE: Trade union participation and representation of all social partners for effective Social Dialogue
· Goal SIX: Democratic, ethical and responsive Governance (both public and private) towards a new, transparent, accountable and inclusive international multilateral system)
The coordinating committee has managed to secure confirmed funding of R500 000 from the FES and R120 000 from ILO. The secured amounts do not cover full expected costs of the forum therefore the team is still sourcing further support for the forum.
The forum will bring together about 70 participants. 2per federation and a maximum of 8 if there is more than one federation in a country and a maximum 4per country where the country has only one federation, Trade union Sub Regional and Regional Bodies as well as Labour Services Organisations.
South African Presidency of BRICS
South Africa as the BRICS Presidency will host the BRICS Ministerial Meeting as well as the BRICS Heads of State Summit in July and August 2018 respectively. South Africa is taking on the rotational Presidency for the second time starting from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. 2018 is a significant year for the BRICS as it completes its first decade of the BRICS Summits. South Africa’s BRICS Presidency means the South African Trade Union Federations also assume coordination of the BRICS Trade Union Forum for 2018.
The platform aims to promote peace, security, prosperity and development in a multipolar, interconnected and globalised world.
COSATU participates in the Trade Union Forum chapter of the BRICS. For the first time COSATU is part of the task team preparing for the BRICS Ministerial Summit and will also be fully represented and participate as social partners. It is also the first time hosting a fully coordinated Trade Union Forum. As the coordinator and host, South Africa is expected to lead with clear focus areas, implementation and monitoring plans.
Under the Chinese Presidency, priorities in the labour and employment track were
· Governance of work in the Future of Work,
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· Skills and Development, · Universal and sustainable social security systems and · The implementation of previous commitments.
Scheduled Processes towards the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting in July and Heads of States include;
1. The First Labour & Employment Working Group (EWG): To consider the proposed thematic areas and process of building blocks towards the LEMM (Emnotweni Hotel and Casino, 7-10 May 2018 ) (DoL)
2. The BRICS Trade Union Forum: To reflect on its role since formation and develop focused inputs towards the Ministerial and the Heads of States Meetings (Garden Court Marine Parade in Durban, 27-28 July 2018) (SA Labour)
3. The Second EWG Meeting: To conclude the work initiated in the first meeting and finalize the Minister’s Declaration. (Zimbali in Durban, 30 -31 July- 2018 ) (DoL)
4. The Meeting for BRICS Ministers for Labour & Employment to adopt the declaration which will encapsulate the essence of SA BRICS chairship for the labour and employment track. (Zimbali in Durban, 1 August 2018) (DoL)
5. The 10th BRICS Heads of States Summit will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, 25-27 July 2018 (DIRCO and Presidency)
The BRICS Labour and Employment Working Group \ Ministerial Meeting
The First BRICS Labour & Employment Working Group (EWG) was convened on 7-10 May 2018 at Emnotweni Hotel and Casino, in Mbombela. The meeting was convened under the theme “BRICS in Africa: Developing Countries for inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the New Industrial Revolution”
The meeting considered the proposed thematic areas and process of building blocks towards the Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting.
The Priorities for the SA Presidency in the labour and employment track are
· Enhancing and improving employment with special focus on Youth Employment, · SDG 8 covering Decent Work and Economic Growth with special focus on Gender,
Equal pay for work of equal value, · Deepening cooperation with special focus on Social Dialogue, Tripartism and
Collective Bargaining; and · Assessment of Previous commitments with special focus of Social Protection and
establishment of Virtual Platform and Research institute.
The meeting was attended by the social partners of the 5 BRICS countries; ILO, SADC, as well as Swaziland and Namibia (as part of the SADC Troika) were invited to participate. The invitation was extended to 20 students at the University of Mpumalanga.
Labour was allocated 5 participants and 4of them at own costs. The ratio was worked out at 3:1:1 COSATU 3, FEDUSA 1 and NACTU 1. The Department of Labour covered costs for only one delegate from labour being the overall NEDLAC Convenor and 2 task team representatives from labour. Social partners requiring extra delegates were advised that it
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would be at own cost, consideration was granted for conferencing costs but confirmation of participation must be made in advance for those extra delegates, this will remain the same for the Ministerial meeting end of July.
COSATU was supposed to be represented by COSATU General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali, International Secretary Bongani Masuku and SACTWU Policy Etienne Vlok (who unfortunately couldnt make it).
The second BRICS Labour & Employment Working Group (EWG) to conclude the work initiated in the first meeting and finalizes the Minister’s Declaration. This will be followed by the BRICS Ministerial Meeting.
The 10th BRICS Heads of States
The 10th BRICS Heads of states is scheduled to take place at Sandton Convention Centre, 25-27 July 2018 under the theme: “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution”. The theme is reflective of the core priorities of each one of the BRICS members, notably to strive towards the creation of an inclusive society and global partnerships that will bring prosperity to all humankind.
The theme is intended to align and ensure strategic continuity with the approved themes for South Africa’s Chairship of both the South African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The new areas of BRICS cooperation as proposed by South Africa are as follows:
· Establishment of a Working Group on Peacekeeping;· Establishment of a Vaccine Research Centre for Collaboration with BRICS vaccine
innovation and development partners – this is intended to be a physical research centre focused on research and development and vaccine innovation;
· Establishment of a BRICS Gender and Women’s Forum – intended as a dedicated track for gender and women’s issues, given the economic benefit to be derived from the socio-economic empowerment of women, particularly in developing countries;
· Leveraging the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership towards the pursuit of Inclusive Growth and Advancing the 4th Industrial Revolution – this is intended to foster discussions to addresses opportunities provided by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as a means of leapfrogging development stages and bridging the digital divide; and
· Establishment of a BRICS Tourism Track of Cooperation.
South Africa’s approach to its Chairship is grounded in the intention to ensure programmatic continuity for BRICS, and is committed to executing approximately 100 sectoral meetings, reflective of the expanded BRICS architecture. It also intends to bring a specific focus to the challenges and opportunities presented by the 4th Industrial Revolution.
6. ILO Conference delegation – Towards the Centenary
COSATU sent a four person delegation to the 105th session of the ILO in Geneva for the June 2016 International Labour Conference.
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The delegation was comprised of;
Bheki Ntshalintshali – General Secretary, leader of the Team who also represented COSATU in the Committee for the Social Justice Declaration
Gobonamang Bonny Marekwa– POPCRU Deputy President, who represented COSATU in the Committee on Employment and Decent work for the Transition to Peace, security and disaster resilience
Bongani Masuku – International Secretary, who represented COSATU in the Committee on the Application of International Standards, Conventions and Recommendations
Caral Phumeza Mgongo – who represented COSATU in the Committee on Decent work in Global Supply Chains
As always, the South Africa delegation as a whole was led by the Minister for Labour Mildred Oliphant, who was elected to become the President of the 105th session of the ILC and in general, several senior positions were occupied by Africans, which is a giant step forward in the struggle to transform global multilateral institutions.
The South African delegation comprised of Government, Parliamentary Committee members, Business and Labour, as well as auxiliary institutions, such as CCMA, etc.
Summary versions in the various committees could be briefly captured in the following way;
a) Global Supply Chains – this was the most contentious Committee this year, given the critical role and place of Global supply chains and logistics in the global economy today. There seems to be a process towards it becoming a fully fledged Convention, but there is some resistance by business towards that end. But amongst the key resolutions adopted in this regard, were to;
a. consider adopting an action Plan to promote decent work and protection of fundamental principles and rights at work for workers in the EPZs, that follows up on the current discussion as well as previous discussions held on this subject, such as the Tripartite meeting of Export Processing Zone-Operating Countries (Geneva, 1998) and the Governing Body’s discussions at its 286th session (March 2003) on Employment and social Policy in respect of export processing zones.
b. It should promote the ratification and implementation of ILO standards relevant to global supply chains and decent work
c. Strengthen capacity building and technical assistance
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d. Carry out further research on how supply chains work in practice, their impact on decent work and how they vary by industry.
b) Employment and Decent work for the transition to Peace, security and disaster resilience – This was a revision of the Employment (Transition from War to Peace) Recommendation, 1944 (No. 71). The instrument was proposed to be in the form of a Recommendation, whose content include, amongst others;
e. Reference to the Constitution of the ILO that universal and lasting peace can only be established if it is based upon social justice
f. Reference to the impact of conflicts and disasters on poverty, human rights and dignity, development, decent work and sustainable enterprises
g. The need to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law, including respect for fundamental principles And rights at work and for international labour standards
h. The need to recognise that crisis impact women and men differently and the critical importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in promoting peace, preventing crisis, enabling recovery and building resilience
i. The need to develop and strengthen measures of social protection,
j. The role of accessible and quality public services in economic recovery, development and reconstruction efforts
c) Social Justice Declaration – in adopting the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation in 2008, the ILO and its member states were reaffirming their fundamental commitment to the founding provisions and principles of the Constitution to place full and productive employment and decent work at the centre of all economic and social policies. These policies should be based on the four inseparable, interrelated and mutually supportive strategic objectives of employment, social protection, social dialogue and tripartism, as well as the fundamental principles and rights at work, with gender equality and non discrimination also as cross cutting issues.
Decent work is now widely recognised as a global goal resulting from the social justice declaration, which is now evident in the way many countries have come to adopt their own Decent work country Programmes
Policy coherence, though is seriously still lacking in many countries, resulting in the non prioritisation of decent work and productive employment in general
d) Committee on the Application of International Standards (Conventions and Recommendations)
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This Committee first dealt with the General Survey and the Report of the Committee of Experts. It then got onto the work of considering cases relating to the application of Ratified Conventions, based on the observations published in the report of the Experts Committee.
The Preliminary list, following agreements between workers and employers groups was consolidated to become the final list of cases for the Committee sitting in 2016. In this regard, the most prevalent violations related to convention 87 and to some extent, convention 98. In the SADC region, Swaziland appeared regarding Convention 87 and Zimbabwe regarding Convention 98.
SADC governments were decisively clear in solidarity with the governments of the two countries, in close collaboration with business in the form of the SADC Private Sector Forum, whilst workers under SATUCC and in their own rights as affiliates and country national centres, decisively stood in solidarity and united position with each other, particularly with these sister unions from the countries.
Three governments were leading the offensive in the region in solidarity with Swaziland, particularly, which are South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Theye were literally and actively campaigning for the removal of Swaziland from the special paragraph, as a worst violator of workers rights. They were citing a few legislations in the process to respond to the ILO demands for adherence. But more fundamentally, what became clear was that the Swaziland government is under extreme pressure for 3 reasons, in the main;
The American AGOA sanctions are hitting hard on the kings’ private and business interests, hence need for a relief
The Special paragraph, which put massive pressure on Swaziland and the global spotlight for its failure to comply with ILO and other international instruments, generated some reaction on the part of the Mswati; hence the need for a relief and what was called a “breather” for the regime, which is feeling the heat. This heat was somewhat relieved following certain processes, but it’s clear, it must be sustained and intensified, if the democratic breakthrough must happen in that country.
Swaziland took over the SADC Chairpersonship and used it to gloat as a normal, functional and even somewhat democratic state. This misled many, but equally brought to the fore the true nature of the feudal greed and parasitic accumulation taking place in Swaziland. It is true that Mswati, tried at all costs to put up a sanitised image and new-look face of a legitimate and and decent regime in the eyes of the world and of its own people
Massive efforts and resources were put into this campaign, including by a Swazi/RSAn and American Businessman in the name of Nartie Kirsch, who, together with the Swazi government have been flying all over the world trying to crush the sanctions or pressure efforts against the Mswati regime, by sponsoring a pseudo-trade union movement called
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FESWATU (Federation of Swaziland Trade Unions) led by a former Police as President and founded by a trade union renegade from the then SFTU. It always counter-organise TUCOSWA and sponsors splinter unions in most sectors.
It was fighting openly against sanctions and pressure on the Swaziland government, promoting the regime’s view of things and discrediting the progressive Swazi trade union view.
COSATU shall, once again be taking part in the 2018 ILO Conference as we move towards the Centenary of the ILO next year and guided by the important perspective on the Future of Work and what it means to our agenda for Decent work. In the report to the previous CEC we outlined the Committees and themes for this year. We further indicated that, represented by our General Secretary Cde Bheki Ntshalintshali, we sit in the Governing Body (GB) of the ILO, whilst its also notable that 3 governments in the region; Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland seat in the same representing governments of the region and part of the African contingent of ILO GB members. Next Year is the Centenary of the ILO and the Future of Work theme shall be taken to new heights, hence the need for a critical evaluation of what ILO means for us andhow best we can use it to advance our agenda for decent work and increased incomes and dignity for all.
The COSATU delegation for 2018 is led by the General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali, joined by the 2nd Deputy President Zingiswa Losi, POPCRU Deputy President Boni Marenkwa and Bongani Masuku (who for reasons beyond control, couldnt travel at the end)
7. Towards a COSATU International Summit on the Future of Trade Union Internationalism and Our Strategy –
Focus on: 4th Industrial Revolution, Future of Work, SDGs and Our Future International Strategy and its implications for Our Capacity and current Funding Models
The CEC directed the IRC to process certain decisions in accordance with the outcomes of the last session of the CEC. Accordingly, the IRC met in March and discussed a number of issues, amongst others, the double affiliation issue. It then took the decision that, building on the CEC directives, this matter, as done before, must not be discussed outside the prevailing balance of power, global configuration of class forces and the practical modalities of pursuing our class struggle in the concrete situation today and moving into the future.
Following upon that decision, the IRC recommended to the on-coming CEC that, a Strategic reflection Summit on our Internationalism today and moving into the Future, be held before National Congress for the purposes of the following tasks;
Correctly Assess the balance of power and the forces shaping the world today and their concrete meaning to our struggle for working class power, in class and organisational term
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Clarification to the essence and meaning of trade union internationalism, to draw in the widest possible sections of workers into active, united and focussed struggles around minimum battles against the most basic manifestations of socio-economic crisis of capitalism at the workplace, community and in society generally
Clarify our Strategic Perspective on the most contentious issues brought to the fore by the development of capitalism today and how to relate to them;
o The Future of Work (what kind of jobs, workplace and organisational design and systems are now defining work and how do we respond?)
o What is the 4th Industrial Revolution? The digitalisation of human relations and society and what do they mean? What does it mean for workers and the skills effect, particularly in the developing world and its propensity to totally displace human beings, unless ICT must serve human development and social progress?
o The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the struggle for the Universalisation/internationalisation of decent and dignified living conditions for humanity – workers and communities at the front
From all these, we hope to be able to adequately and appropriately, respond to the basic question on; what is the future of trade union internationalism? What Organisational model, capacity and resources are required to advance our aims in the most concrete and effective way possible, given the concrete realities, we face and shall still face?
8. WFTU
COSATU National Congress took a decision to affiliate to both the ITUC and the WFU, following a Research on how affiliates a feel about the two national centres and what are the strategic gains and losses from each. The Report ended by summing up 4 scenarios;
Scenario ONE – Retain ITUC affiliation only
Scenario TWO – JOIN WFTU and retain ITUC affiliation too/Dual affiliation
Scenario THREE – Join WFTU and disaffiliate from ITUC
Scenario FOUR – Dont Join any or be independent
This was discussed at length at the COSATU International Policy Conference, wherein scenario number two was seen to best accommodate and resemble some consensus from the process.
It was that scenario which was taken to Congress, which adopted it, equally making a provision that the CEC will apply in case practical modalities prove more complex than envisaged. The first CEC set off a mission to both capitals; Athens in Greece, for WFTU and Brussels in Belgium for ITUC.
The team on coming back didn’t immediately consolidate a joint report, till the situation that faced the federation leading to the fateful departure and expulsion of some members and a union. This made the work of the team difficult as no report since then, till SACCAWU
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GS, who was part of the mission, offered to compile the report. Indeed, he compiled it and comrades were invited to make their views, though scanty views initially from other members. But they were finally made and the document then taken to the CEC. After robust discussions in the CEC, it was first agreed that this matter be referred back to Congress for a review. The IRC was assigned the responsibility to process and prepare a refining strategy towards Congress, which is the International Summit currently being finalised.
But in the very next CEC, before the Summit could take place, NOBs brought back a reconsidered view that would enhance unity and put back the issue of double affiliation back on the agenda, given that its a Congress Resolution and CEC must been seen to have done all possible to ensure its implemented, unless proven otherwise, in actual practice.
9. ITUC
On the ITUC front there are few issues for reporting further to the last CEC discussion on the matter.
ITUC delegation to SA to assess application of SAFTU for membership/affiliation. A delegation from Brussels led by the Deputy General Secretary, Cde Mamadou Diallo and comprised of; TUC UK International Secretary Owen Tudor, NCL President Ayuba, CUT Brazil International Secretary, Antonio Lisboa and the Deputy General Secretary of ITUC Africa. This follows an application by SAFTU for affiliation and procedurally, a delegation to assess the; existence, state, legality, structures and unions affiliated and all other matters regarding the application, had to be satisfied. The delegation met FEDUSA, NACTU, Department of Labour, NEDLAC and us, as well as the applicant itself. COSATU raised various concerns regarding the way the delegation was carried out and the processes towards the coming to SA. We also raised a number of clarities regarding our posture and how during the difficult period of the federation ITUC or some, appeared to position their views on the unfolding situation and our state then.The ITUC clarified the matters and organisational positions versus what could be viewed as positional problems at a particular point of the federation’s situation. It then went on to state the purpose of its mission in SA and that its required by procedure to follow this due process of ascertaining the facts on the ground, given the application. They asked questions of clarity regarding membership, affiliated unions, structures, legalities, financial records, bargaining issues and sectors covered role and involvement in worker issues and all related matters claimed by the applicant. COSATU NOBs clarified all the matters accordingly and further discussions ensued which resulted in better levels of understanding and information exchange on the issues of gaps.The delegation then compiled its final report in preparation for the coming General Council in Brussels, wherein a final decision shall be taken regarding the application.
The World Congress of the ITUC is scheduled for this year, December and the federation is accordingly preparing itself on all fronts. In this regard, the agenda submitted to the last CEC still stands and issues relating to the four areas remain the core guide.
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COSATU was approached to consider standing for the Presidency of ITUC and as per the last CEC decision, we were working on that. However, things seem to have moved on, as NLC’s Nigeria’s President Ayuba has become officially identified by Africa to be the one now suitable for that purpose, which we support. The only contention which is not separate from the above issue is that of the General Secretary, currently contested by Sharan Burrow and Latin America. The Deputy General Secretary position, originally occupied by Wellington Chibebe from Zimbabwe, who is now ILO Director Tanzania, has now been occupied by Cde Diallo Mamadou from Senegal, which resulted in the changes regarding possible Presidency of ITUC by the current President of ITUC Africa.
4. OATUU Congress, 2017
OATUU also hosted its own Congress in Bamako, Mali on the 28 th February – 4th March, 2017. The Deputy President, James Tyotyo led the delegation to the Congress on behalf of COSATU. The actual Congress was held on the 1st till the 4th March. Its another critical platform despite that we havent made much progress in transforming the outlook and towards unity of the African trade unions using such critical platforms as OATUU. We have in the past submitted proposals for a comprehensive agenda for a new Africa, but the contests there are not often on these critical issues and thats what we need to change. They are often on formality and speeches than substantive and real issues affecting workers. COSATU had 4 representatives at the Congress.
5. SIGTUR RCC Webex Notes – 7th May 2018
First RCC held over Webex following the SIGTUR Congress held in Argentine and the attempts to rebuild the movement anew;
1. Updates and plan on moving forward with campaigns discussed during the 11th SIGTUR Congress
a. G20 Summit in Buenos Airesb. Free Lula! Free Lula! – Country updatesc. Asbestos – Update on APHEDA campaign Emma Bacond. Free Hang Sang-gyun! – confirm date for activity KCTUe. Condemn fascist Duterte regime – Global Day of Action on May 17th
2. Updates and plan for setting-up the SIGTUR communications community/group3. Update on membership4. Planning for the next RCC meeting in 20195. Other matters
A) G20 Summit in Buenos AiresAction: CTA to provide regular updates on planning and activities in the lead up to G-20, 30TH November – 1st December
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B) Free Lula! Free Lula! – Country UpdatesAction: CUT to provide an update and briefing paper to assist contributions committees in planning activities. When: ASAPAction: All other SICTUR members to provide an update on steps taken as per congress special resolution
Philippines: currently planning rally on US embassy
Australia: initial discussion with ACTU looking to plan a representation to the Brazilian embassy in Canberra and small rally
Malaysia: to advice on action
Argentina: have established 2 committees in 2 parts of Buenos Aires activities to date:
A rally organised on the Brazilian embassy Were active in action on the ITUC national day of action
C) Asbestos – Update in APHEDA campaign Emma BaconAction: ACTU to provide an update on the APHEDA. Not here, not aware, Asbestos campaign – Glenn to follow up ASAP
D) Free Han Sang-gyum! – Confirm date for activity KCTUAction: KCTU to provide the date that sister Lee is expected to face trial and national day of action – Glenn to follow up with the KCTU
E) Condemn fascist Duterte regime – Global Day of Action on May 17th Action: Neil KMU to provide background briefing note and information. When: close of business May 9th.Action: All other SIGTUR members to provide an update on steps taken as per congress special resolution
Argentina: Planning rally and representation to the Philippines embassy
Australia: looking to have delegation and rally at the Australian forgiven Ministers office in Western Australia and an activity at the Philippines consulate in Sydney
Malaysia: to be advance this at the start of the country’s fasting
Philippines: Rally and activities planned
2. Updates and plan for setting-up the SIGTUR communications committee/group
Action: Each SIGTUR full member to provide Glenn with a media contact person in each of the federations
Action: Glenn to facilitate a further Webex conference with Gonzalo and Neil and their respective media officer ASAP
ACTU: Glenn reported that a WebEX involving Gonzalo are suggesting that Argentina, Philippines and Australia will work together to coordinate the full SIGTUR members with their allocated media officer. We are seeking to have;
1. An active social media strategy2. At least 1 story per week on the SIGTUR website
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3. Updates on membership
Discussion occurred on broadening the RCC membership with new full time SIGTUR members. Y should be appointed. Consensus was reached that a comrade from Pakistan and Paraguay should be considered. Note: the nominated must speak and understand English
Action: Gonzalo to speak to Paraguay and Glenn to speak to Pakistan
4. Planning for the next RCC meeting in 2019
Following the discussions, the KMU indicated that a face to face RCC in the Philippines should occur in November 2019
Action: KMU to advise the RCC of the proposed date for the face to face RCC in 2019
5. Other matters
Next RCC WebEx 4th October 2018 or as required
7. International Solidarity Campaigns
1. Palestine
The most critical part of the global solidarity campaign in the world today is the struggle against the apartheid state of Israel and for the freedom of the Palestinian people to self determination. The global Zionist movement today has decisively set in motion a very serious strategy to counter and push back the great advances by the BDS movement and all progressive forces. The provocative announcement of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel generated far more global and progressive response than was anticipated by the right-wing Zionist movement. It led to even European capitals, most often supporters of Israeli racism, to dissociate itself from the nakedly racist nature of the apartheid state of Israel.
The brave Palestinian children, women and ordinary people who were massacred during the Nakba in May this year, reflected an unprecedented resolve that inspired the whole world into action.
The Zionist apartheid Strategy of Israel and its allies has the following elements;
Intensified enactment of new apartheid laws to further institutionalise Zionism and racial supremacy inside Israel itself and in the whole of Palestine
Massive deployment of huge resources, financial, political and material resources to organise groups that favour Israel and criminalise the cause of the Palestinian people in campuses, workplaces, communities, churches, international forums, state institutions and everywhere else, including sports and cultural spaces
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Waging of a legalistic and ideological warfare against activists and bullying all countries to create laws that criminalise activism against the state of Israel, with a well oiled legal machinery to persecute and target organisations and individuals who are involved in campaigns against Israel. In Europe and the US particularly, we have seen the scourge of governments making laws that criminalise anything about BDS and Pro-Palestine activities and the use of courts and other legal instruments for that purpose.
Israeli Apartheid Weeks
COSATU has taken upon itself an international solidarity duty to rally behind the struggle of Palestinians by to lend unmeasured support to BDS and its campaigns. One of the major campaigns of BDS is the Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW).These includes alliance activities in which COSATU shall play a full role and those that we are invited to speak or participate in under the BDS coalition.
Affiliates committed to undertake the following;
1. Adopting the IAW Basis of Unity (find on page 4 or here: http://apartheidweek.org/basis-of-unity/).
2. They released statements of support for the campaign prior to IAW
3. Some released a communiqué to their structures (branches, regions, provinces etc.) to participate in IAW;
4. Unions (and their structures) organize events/actions during and for IAW (see page 3 for ideas, also note that we can provide posters, flyers and necessary DVD movies.);
5. They also used their social media accounts to follow the IAW South Africa accounts (www.twitter.com/iawsouthafrica, www.facebook.com/iawsouthafrica/; www.instagram.com/iawsouthafrica) and promote the Israeli Apartheid Week campaign using the #IsraeliApartheidWeek hashtag.
We are deeply impressed by the unions and organisations that are very consistent, active and involved in real practical solidarity work of the IAW and the general support for the cause of the Palestinian people. Though we are concerned that some affiliates don’t seem fully involved in participating in the Annual IAW programmes.
We therefore urge that all Affiliates must take an effective role in the IAW activities. This is our duty of international solidarity, which should be the priority action point among COSATU unions. We propose the reinstatement of the COSATU Comprehensive Action Plan
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on BDS in SA as our ultimate guide in heightening decisive action against Israel and targeting its allies and supporters too in economic and other boycott terms.
2. Swaziland
The Swazi situation requires that COSATU and the alliance in general take up a consolidated and active programme of action, which includes the two elements; trade union and political situation as a context of the overall struggle. The critical entry point for COSATU is building the progressive trade union federation, TUCOSWA and its affiliates through a joint programme focusing on areas such as organising and campaigns, research and education, as well as international solidarity,
We have for far too long taken resolutions and adopted common programmes, but we may need to review and consider a change of strategy towards an actively sustainable one, mainly to strengthen capacity to organise and educate workers in Swaziland.
In that regard, the proposed wayforward on the Swazi question is comprised of the following 3 critical elements;
Joint COSATU-TUCOSWA meeting to update briefings about developments on each side and then develop appropriate Joint programme
Strengthen affiliate to affiliate contacts and support activities, towards building a strong movement on both sides, that is active and campaigning on issues affecting workers and society in general
Agree on a concrete Political programme for democracy, workers rights and social justice, based on clear targets and outcomes, particularly towards the tinkhundla elections of 2018 next year, which are nothing but another window dressing strategy to fool the world and the people
Swaziland continues to have Political Prisoners, including Zonke Dlamini and Amos Mbhedzi, amongst others. The Release of PUDEMO President Mario Masuku, SWAYOCO Secretary General, Maxwell Dlamini, Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko and P[UDEMO activist Roland Rudd, didn’t end the scourge of persecutions, arrests and detention of activists. That is why the campaign for the release of all Political and civil rights Prisoners must be intensified, together with the call for the unbanning of political parties, holding of free and democratic elections, free media and independent judiciary, as some of the most critical tenets of the new dispensation comrades are calling for.
Amongst the most strongly proposed ideas on the Swazi question is the possibility of a week-long Training of Organisers for TUCOSWA as part of building the critical engines of the organisation under the hostile conditions its operating in. Its an element of the proposals from our various comrades and affiliates who have been inside and saw the
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urgency and need for such an intense programme to assist strengthen workers power and organisational capacity, as an immediate programme.
3. CUBA
We indicated that the year 2016 shall go down in history as a watershed moment in the history of Cuba, in the history of the global progressive movement and in our own history too. A whole era literally passed on when the great legend El Commandante Fidel Castro passed away. The whole world, including enemies of Fidel and the Cuban revolution suddenly took a step back in awe and moment of reflection as the world narrated who in real terms is Fidel and what he meant to humanity and the oppressed in particular.
In the last report to the CEC, we indicated progress with regard to the History making changes that the Obama administration working with the Cuban leadership began. We indicated their significance to our work, the global revolution and the Cuban people too. But what remains critical is intensification of the international solidarity efforts with the Cuban people to deepen the efforts further, particularly in view of the new regime’s attitude in Washington under Donald Trump. The dangers are real that the Trump regime will reverse all that good work. However, even beside the Trump threat, our work wasn’t complete as the Embargo remains actively in place.
We wish to propose a programme with the following critical elements to it;
COSATU and affiliates trip to Cuba to feel and experience the tectonic changes taking place in that side of the hemisphere and assess what it means in real terms
An alliance Joint Programme on Cuba, maybe inclusive of Palestine and Swaziland, particularly given that its a Year of Congresses and Policy processes.
An intensive ideological programme for training of shopstewards, leaders and staff on the essence of the Cuban revolution, not just to Cuba and that hemisphere, but to humanity as a whole and ourselves in Africa more critically. This must be linked to a deeper ideological warfare on the struggle for alternatives on the African continent and beyond.
Affiliates need to be encouraged to undertake joint activities and missions to Cuba or work with their sister unions to deepen our own experiences and information sharing, particularly in the critical spheres of health and education, as well as organisation Building
4. On Western Sahara
The ascendancy of Morocco to various positions in the international terrain, including in the AU, as well as the UN Security Council imposes further burdens on all of us doing solidarity work with the people of Western Sahara against Moroccan aggression.
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This means, we must resort to new and advanced tactics of organising, including a possible BDS against Morocco, as the only peaceful remaining too for pressure. However, that can only be a clear call of the Saharawi people themselves and not us.
But we pledge full support to rally the world in support of the Saharawi cause for self determination and this we shall do, and remain ready to do. We need targeted programmes with UJTSARIO and even POLISARIO and the alliance itself to gear up a new momentum.
The despicable role of the French, Spannish and the US, together with the whole EU and the Gulf States requires more united and decisive action to expose and weaken. Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa used to hold Annual Solidarity Conference and events on Western Sahara and that needs to be escalated further.
CRITICAL POINT: What new forms and pressure points of our International Solidarity Strategy are required to make more tangible gains, particularly on the Core priority areas; Swaziland, Palestine, Western Sahara, Cuba and the two regions of much interest to us; Africa and Latin America/Caribbeans?
Further, is our Programme matched up with the required resources, skills, capacity and political will required?
Part THREE: INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Programme
Activities Success indicators
Expected Outcomes
Comments
COSATU Plan for Africa
1. Research into state of trade unions
Research completed
Report for CEC/IRC
1. Reliant on Funding and only secured funding for 2018-2019
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2. Continental Growth and Development Strategy
3. Build SATUCC Capacity
Strategy document done
Organisational Audit and needs assessment done
Comprehensive Input to AU and regional bodies
New and strong SATUCC
2. Work in progress as the International Summit to deal with this is scheduled for July 2018
3. COSATU played an important role in ensuring strategic resolutions are adopted in the SATUCC Congress and deployed the 2nd Deputy President Zingiswa Losi as the President of SATUCC. COSATU has also developed a strategy for the South African Presidency of SATUCC
BRICS Trade Union Forum (BTUF)
1. Prepare for India, 2016 and China, 2017
2. Host BRICS Trade Union Forum in 2018 in SA
3. Advance Idea of a BRICS Labour
Effective Participation
Successful hosting
Establishment of Institute
Qualitative declaration for main Summit
Concrete Outcomes for Heads of States Summit
Quality Policy
1. We participated meaningfully in the BRICS both in India and in China
2. COSATU is part of the coordinating team for both the BTUF and the Labour and
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Research and Policy Institute
interventions Employment Ministerial Meetings. We participate fully in the planning and the meetings.
3. We are hoping this can be the legacy of South Africa hosting the BTUF. If the meeting would agree to formalize this idea.
Trilateral Forums (both Political and Technical)
1. Host the 2016 Africa Trilateral Forum, involving COSATU, NLC (Nigeria) and GTUC (Ghana)
2. Harness the Global South Trilateral between COSATU, CUT (Brazil) and KCTU (South Korea)
Concrete Trilateral Joint Africa Plan
Consolidation of a Progressive Global Southern Unions Platform and inputs
Effective Policy Input and Organisational growth of African Unions
Transformed international trade union landscape, to favour the global south
1. The Trilateral was successfully held in 2016 and it was agreed that Nigeria would host the leaders meeting in 2017 and Ghana would host the extended Trilateral in 2018. The Trilateral in Nigeria could not take place and the Ghana one is scheduled later in the year, date to be agreed on.
2. The trilateral
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meets every year during the ILC meetings in Geneva but could not meet in 2016 and 2018. Lost an opportunity in Geneva and in Argentina during the ILC and the SIGTUR Congress respectively. We have however managed to participate in some of the campaigns in solidarity with the KCTU President and Former President Lula
Strategic and effective participation in International Trade Unions Forums and affiliations
1. WFTU – finalise Congress resolution based on CEC directives for affiliation
2. ITUC – Improve coordination with progressive unions in the forum
3. ITUC Africa – Intensify active
Affiliation to WFTU
Liaise closely with allied unions inside ITUC
Building strong trade union
Unite and transform the international trade union movement
Widely shared progressive perspectives within ITUC
Effective impact of African trade
1. The issue is now finalized as the last CEC has issued a directive to process the resolution and now ITUC has requested further engagement after its general council in 2019. In the meantime the CEC will guide the federation
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participation and involvement based on our Africa Plan
4. OATUU – Increase involvement to synergize Africa activities and work
5. SATUCC – actively build the regional body through increased activities and capacity
movement on the African continent
Building strong trade union movement on the African continent
Building a strong regional trade union movement in SADC
unions on African workers rights, decent work and developmental perspectives
Effective impact of African trade unions on African workers rights, decent work and developmental perspectives
To make impact SADC policy on workers rights, decent work and developmental agenda
on the way forward.
2. We use the Trilateral settings and other strategic spaces/forums to coordinate with progressive unions
3. We have been serving in a few committees the Human and Trade Union Rights (HTUR) and Africa Trade Union Development Network (ATUDN). We are a member of the General Council and the Executive Bureau. The Treasurer of COSATU is also a member of the Audit Committee.
4. We continue to participate in OATUU Activities
5. COSATU Developed a SATUCC South
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African Presidency Strategy that seeks to strengthen SATUCC and increase its meaningful activities in the region and build capacity of the organisation
SIGTUR 1. Prepare for Thailand/Philippines Congress in 2016
2. Draft a framework on SIGTUR Strategic Path and Future of progressive trade unions in the global south
Coordinate an effective movement in global south
Transform international trade union and world economic order through increased voice of the global south
1. The Congress planned for 2016 was postponed to 2017 then to April 2018 in Argentina.
2. SIGTUR Congress in April 2018 emerged with framework for coordination and solidarity campaigns to challenge the status quo.
International Training and Capacity Building
1. International Practitioners Development Course
2. Provincial Capacity Roll-outs consolidation
Train a core of leaders and staff from affiliates and the federation (national, provincial and local) itself on advanced international
Develop and sharpen international skills of all Practitioners
1. We continue engaging with Education in developing the course and this continues to be work in progress.
2. Department
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3. Finalise material development and Resource Package
skills Training Roll outs were done in 2016-2017 and only Western Cape was unsuccessful as participants did not come. We continue to source funding for continuous training
3. Depends on the work with the Education department
Alliance International Forum
1. Increase strategic participation in ANC IR
2. Increase strategic coordination with SACP IR
Coordination of alliance international programme
Effective impetus of the alliance on IR in the region, continent and globally
1. We participate in this the International Secretary represents COSATU there. We input in strategic policy areas
2. Work in Progress, the International Secretary has been invited to participate in the SACP IR Committee
International Solidarity Campaigns
1. Raise profile of international solidarity issues
2. Organise
Raise level of workers understanding and involvement in international solidarity
Improve solidarity work with other workers and peoples suffering
1. We continue working on all international solidarity campaigns. We have
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campaigns on international solidarity issues
campaigns oppression, human rights abuses and suffering
prioritized Cuba, Palestine, Zimbabwe and Venezuela and we have lagged behind on Swaziland and Western Sahara.
2. Due to Financial constrains we have been limited on campaigns, but we have supported and participated in many interventions organized by solidarity organizations like BDS, ACTION, SALO and the alliance partners as well as those organized by affiliates
MIS Program
1. Build and strengthen capacity of COSATU to defend the rights of her vulnerable members through social dialogue
2. Strengthen representation and management capacity of COSATU in
Programs rolled out targeting vulnerable workers
Visible advocacy for work on the interest of vulnerable workers
1. The capacity of COSATU to defend the rights of her vulnerable members through social dialogue are strengthened
2. The representation
1. This is work in progress, great efforts have been put in ensuring vulnerable workers are represented in social dialogue and this has been done through the Decent Work
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representing the interest of her vulnerable members
3. Build Network & synergy on national, regional and international level to promote social dialogue
Strengthened relations and collaboration with old and new partners at national, regional and international level
and management capacity of COSATU is strengthened to represent the interest of her vulnerable members
3. Network & synergy are build out on national, regional and international level to promote social dialogue
Steering Committee. Regular meetings are held by the Campaigns and Organising committee which oversees this work.
2. Affiliates are supported in the back to basics program which encourages organizing and servicing members with particular focus on Vulnerable workers using the R204
CRITICAL POINT: Are these activities an accurate highlight of our goals and how best can they be sharpened further to maximise impact and bring more tangible results?
7. Communications
1. Introduction
The media and communication sectors are experiencing unprecedented change and evolution in the 21st century. These days to analyse the media, we need to partition the traditional from the new media. Even scholars are still trying to better understand the massive changes and transformation occurring across the media sector.
The first two decades of the 21st century have been unique in terms of the impact of technology on the media and communication industries. The introduction of converging technologies such as the mobile “smart phone” and multiple digital platforms, the media and communication industries are not only in the process of transforming themselves, but are being transformed by many external factors.
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The transformation of the media and communication industries didn’t happen overnight. The process has been accelerated by several external factors like globalization, regulation, economics and technology. Technology has both enhanced and disrupted the media economy. Innovations in technology through distribution and reception technologies continue at a rapid pace .The plethora of technological advances has forced media companies to try to keep up with one another and the digital environment has caused havoc with traditional business models.
Audience members are more empowered than at any other time in media history. Audience members no longer just consume content -they also make content in a multitude of ways, whether through blogging, podcasting, uploading videos, or social networking to just name a few options. Traditional media firms are struggling to find a foothold in this new landscape, while fighting for economic survival. In these new media markets, consumers can access or download content anytime they want from anywhere in the world. These trends are creating havoc among traditional markets, and leading to confusion as to how we define media and communication markets in this new era.
In South Africa this has led to media houses trying to reconfigure their newsrooms and cutting down on staff members. There are few newspapers or newsrooms that still keep labour desks. Most journalist cover labour, economy and politics and this does have adverse effects because with a 24 hour news cycle this means that you also have a culture of smash and grab journalist. This era of sound bites means that organisations are also tempted to outdo each other in the media for headlines and are no longer interested in explaining issues in detail. This competition for space from journalists themselves and the communicators has left the audience sometimes feeling cheated. The competition over advertising also means that whoever pays the piper chooses the tune.
This means that building working class hegemony remains an elusive target because those who pay for adverts influence the narrative and editorial direction of the media. We have seen a consolidation of those institutionalized attitudes of corporate commercial media and in the process the stories of the workers are never comprehensively told.
The decline in unionisation (now around 29% of the workforce) and density has meant that there are many fights amongst unions and the media has encouraged this fragmentation of the trade union movement through their coverage at times. At a time when monopoly capital is escalating its offensive in terms of the restructuring of the workplace, casualisation and retrenchments as part of responding to a low-level economic growth since the 2009 recession, the public discourse is biased against organised workers. We have seen unions being attacked and blamed for defending their members and sometimes they are played against the unemployed to divide the working class. The quality of public discourse is also influenced by a fluid political situation in the country and COSATU finds itself grappling with these sudden and continuous changes. The balance of class forces or the relation of social forces in terms of the political economy is decisively in favour of monopoly capital and has put to test the role of organised working class in the current role and the public discourse reflect this reality.
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2. Media Relations
The period under review has been a mixed bag of hits and misses when it comes to communications. The 12th National Congress was preceded by a period of serious infighting inside the federation and those fights were also waged in the media space, leaving the organisation with serious perception problems.
After five years of self-mutilation, the last congress offered an opportunity for the federation to recover some of its lost ground and rehabilitate its dented image. We have spent the last three years working to ensure maximum coverage for the federation’s activities and also to reposition the federation itself to rely on its internal capacity and communications tools to relay its messages.
The priority has been to defend the federation from attacks, re-establish its image as an organization that represents, defends and fights for workers and the poor people of this country. Books have been written about the source of COSATU internal fights and the organisations obituaries have been written by both extreme leftists and rightwing fanatics. This was made worse by the fact that some of our affiliates deserted and some were experiencing internal challenges. To rehabilitate the image of the organisation away from a federation in crisis became a colossal task, with headlines of divisions and corruption inside some affiliates, still dominating the newspapers.
Despite these challenges, over the last three years, there has been a concerted effort to raise awareness among the South Africans and the international community about the activities of the federation and its affiliated unions through the media.
We have worked to mend relations with some media houses and personalities, who were central in sowing divisions and fanning the flames during the period of the troubles inside the organisation. We continued to be a principled voice when responding to topical issues that affect our members and the broader working class. We developed mechanisms to encourage full participation of the workers and community in the federation’s activities (strikes, marches) and also developed our communications platforms to educate workers about their rights and also profile COSATU and its work.
We moved away from simple communications activities like the dissemination of an occasional publication or press release but attempted to strategically ensure that COSATU is more purposeful, innovative, savvy, and less reactive in our communications practices.
Rather than sending out information in a unidirectional manner, we have tried to engage in communication with our audience in mind. COSATU has had to grapple with the reality that its members and audiences are getting younger. This means that the federation needs to stay ahead of the technological curve if it is to ensure maximum engagement. While we have expanded our social media footprint, we still struggle to get the elected leadership at all levels to meaningfully participate and utilise this platforms to improve communications.
Affiliates have been struggling with resources and this has led to many of them operating without fully functional communications department. This means that they are unable to claim their victories and also to speedily communicate their messages, including defending themselves where necessary. They have also struggled to participate in the public discourse
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on sectoral issues and in the process the federation’s head office has been left to deal with sectoral issues without the support of the affiliates.
Our lack of research capacity has made it difficult to develop content and this has been worsened by the high staff turnover in the policy unit. We have managed though to anchor our debates on sound economic reasoning although at times we have seen the populists appropriating our policy positions and vulgarising them in the public domain for narrow political ends.
The fluid political situation inside the Alliance has tested the coherence of the federation. There have been times when tensions in the Alliance were felt by the federation in its communications and this led to inconsistency in our messaging.
Despite all these challenges, we have remained a solid and vocal player in the political, economic and social life of our country. We have been unapologetic in pushing the cause of the workers and this has led to many rightwing organisations and political parties directly attacking the federation. We remain the biggest stumbling block to the Neoliberal agenda that is favoured by some inside and outside the ANC.
3. Recommendations a. Budgeting
On the communications front, there is a need to establish a systematic budgeting and planning process for federation wide communications planning. We need to develop our internal communications platforms and tools and this requires a clear criteria for measuring communications budgets, common benchmarking standards in order to be able to provide support to affiliates in their communications work.
The IT Unit has been grossly underfunded and this has resulted in the federation struggling to keep up with the developments. We need to avail more resources for the IT Unit to be able to keep with the ever-changing technological advancement.
b. Training and Capacity building
There is a need for national programmes to upgrade communication skills for all levels of the federation and also with affiliates. This will need the affiliates to harness the available resources and also source for more sponsorship.
c. Plain Language
COSATU’s duty is to inform the public and membership and this includes the obligation to communicate effectively. Information about policies, programs, services and initiatives must be clear, relevant, objective, easy to understand and useful. To ensure clarity and consistency of information, plain language and vernacular languages must be used in all communication with the public. This principle also applies to affiliates and internal communications, as well as to information whether delivered in writing or in speech.
d. Provincial
Co-ordination between head office, Provincial and COSATU Local operations in communication matters is essential. Provincial communications staff and affiliates must be
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included from the outset in planning and developing strategies to achieve communication objectives at the local or provincial level. We need to ensure an appropriate distribution of resources between head office and provinces in all communications planning, management and delivery. To ensure that staff at all levels carry out their unique role in, and shared responsibilities for, delivering and managing the federation’s communications; Examine ways to increase efficiency in responding to communication issues, and adjust and simplify approval processes as necessary; Ensure the coherence and consistency of information and messages across all channels of communication, from in-person service, telephone and mail, to facsimile, Internet and electronic transmission;
Collaborate with other organisations that promote common messages and themes Ensure communication plans and strategies for policies, programs and initiatives are developed collaboratively with input from responsible heads of departments in both head office and provincial
Affiliates must ensure that their provincial structures have the resources needed to effectively manage the communications function.
e. Internal Communications
Engaging employees in a conversation for action allows institutions to tap into a vast pool of intelligence and expertise. Properly engaged in the life of an organization, employees can be valuable allies in external communications – helping to inform the public, professional colleagues and prospective employees about the federation.
Managers and supervisors must communicate with employees openly, frequently, and before or at the same time as information is communicated to the public. Training in communications must be available to them to help ensure they are effective communicators.
To foster employee knowledge, awareness and understanding, internal communication includes a mix of published materials (in multiple formats), oral presentations, staff meetings and learning events. COSATU has often deployed its employees in pickets and marches and there is a need to engage managers and employees in a dialogue for action.
f. Technological Innovation and New Media
COSATU must maintain a capacity for innovation and stay current with developments in communications practice and technology. While adopting new means of communication, COSATU must also continue to reach, in a timely manner, members and citizens whose access to technology may be limited or who prefer to receive information through more traditional means.
g. Internet and Electronic Communication
The Internet, social media tools and other means of electronic communication are powerful enablers for building and sustaining effective communication within affiliates and with their members across the country.
An important tool for providing information and services to the public and membership, the Internet facilitates interactive, two-way communication and feedback. It provides opportunities to reach and connect with members wherever they reside, and to deliver
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personalized services.COSATU must maintain an active presence on the Internet to enable 24-hour electronic access to services and information.
COSATU must advance on-line initiatives aimed at expanding the reach and quality of internal and external communications, improving service delivery, connecting and interacting with members, enhancing public access and fostering public dialogue. Ensure that Internet-published information on policies, programs, services and initiatives is regularly updated, accurate, easy to understand, and accessible in multiple formats for persons with disabilities.
h. Media Liaison
Journalists and other media representatives play an important role in providing the public with news and information about the federation and reporting on the public's views and opinions of government. COSATU and her affiliates must continue to cultivate proactive relations with the media to promote public awareness and understanding of COSATU policies, programs, services and initiatives.
COSATU must operate and respond effectively in a 24-hour media environment. The federation must be able, on short notice, to reach and inform the media on issues of importance. We must continue to engage the media using a variety of communication tools, including news conferences, briefings, news releases, and audio-video presentations.
COSATU must respect the authority and responsibility of affiliates t, whose members are entitled to learn about planned legislative initiatives before information about them is released to the media.
Work collaboratively with other federations to develop joint communication plans and strategies in areas of mutual interest. Share communication plans and evaluation findings with affiliates and strengthen the media forum. Track the performance of communication products and measure results achieved against objectives set in communication plans. Evaluate the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness, of communication programs and campaigns developed in support of policy or campaigns and make improvements or adjustments as needed to ensure the efficacy of plans, strategies and activities.
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4. The Shopsteward Report: May 2015 – May 2018
The Shopsteward Publication: 2015
The Shopsteward Magazine – 2015
SPECIFIC FOCUS PERSON
RESPONSIBLE
TIME FRAME PROGRESS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS
SS Printing and distributing
Nthabiseng February 2015 to December 2015
We published 5 editions with the last Issue comprising of two editions in one
The time it takes to get the final draft of SS approved for printing by the Editor in Chief needs to be accelerated because the delays are having a negative impact on advertising. Advertisers work based on deadlines and failing to publish the magazine according to the production schedule deadlines repels the advertisers along with the subscribers.
Advertising Nthabiseng Ongoing Advertising picked up with a few bookings being placed
Ensuring that the magazine is published according to our set deadlines will restore the
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advertiser’s confidence in The Shopsteward Magazine because consistency and timeous delivery is the key here.
Subscriptions Nthabiseng Ongoing The number of copies that each union subscribe for has decreased because of the decline in the number of copies that we now print. The subscriptions from individuals and organisations steadily continue to grow as we do receive feedback in the form of mail, etc from the readers that proves such.
We are working on having an sms facility where workers can send questions, letters and also request subscription information because we noticed that many of the workers still don’t have access to current technological amenities and the sms medium is more common. This will not only bring more subscribers to SS but will also popularise Cosatu in the process and get us on mutual base with the ground level workers. The sms line will be made available on all our communication media platforms with Donald’s help.
Cutting printing & distribution costs
Nthabiseng Ongoing The number of printed copies of SS has been reduced from 21 500 to 14 000 with effect from 01 April 2015.
We are currently looking at sourcing quotes for new different layout formats of SS that can save more costs
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without having to reduce the number of copies printed.
The Shopsteward Publication: 2016
The Shopsteward Magazine – 2016
SPECIFIC FOCUS PERSON
RESPONSIBLE
TIME FRAME PROGRESS MADE COMMENTS
The Shopsteward - Printing, distribution & subscription
Nthabiseng February 2016 to October 2016
We published 4 of The Shopsteward magazine. All editions were distributed to Affiliate head offices only. This move was taken with the aim of cutting costs which has has worked (we previously delivered to every affiliate office across all provinces).
The recurring challenge is that copies of The Shopsteward magazine remain at affiliate head offices and are not distributed to their regional offices, and therefore never reach all workers in all the structures of affiliate unions. Affiliate unions at head office level need to be more proactive in distributing the publication to workers
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Advertising Nthabiseng Ongoing A number of adverts have been published in the past this year
We are making efforts to publishthe magazine on time according to the pre-set deadlines because this affects advertising deadlines, but there is still a lot of room for improvement here.
The Shopsteward Magazine Online Website: Launch
Nthabiseng Ongoing In May 2016, we launched an online version of The Shopsteward Magazine (shopstewardonline.org.za) to supplement the print version. Strictly labour/worker related news and information (COSATU & Affiliates and other worker news) are published on this site.
The aim of this online publication
To report on worker/trade union related matters as and when they take place in labour world and also apply the back to basics principle of putting workers first and
Articles and news are uploaded daily on the website and much content has already been published. It is a platform both for the Federation, its affiliates and individual workers. All content is managed and uploaded by the site manager (Nthabiseng).
The possibilities of growth are endless because SS online can be used to promote all the Federation’s campaigns and many other activities with the COSATU and the Affiliates.
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equipping them.
To bridge the communication gap that exists in the Federation especially in reaching the young workers, who mostly live in the virtual world of communications. This SS Online site makes it more convenient to reach the young workers and communicate with them in their own language and platform.
SS Online is also bridging the gap between the time lapse that occurs before the release of the every print version of SS (which is about 4 weeks) and enables us to communicate worker news, federation activities and information swiftly without having to wait.
The Shopsteward Publication: 2017
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The Shopsteward Tabloid Newspaper – 2017
SPECIFIC FOCUS PERSON
RESPONSIBLE
TIME FRAME PROGRESS MADE COMMENTS
The Shopsteward -Printing, distribution & subscription
Nthabiseng February 2017 to October 2017
We launched the new format of The Shopsteward publication and moved it from being a magazine to a tabloid format newspaper
We did this intending to cut down on printing costs but still be able to deliver a publication that will continue to serve the workers and keep them informed. The difference in printing costs is visible and drastic.
Advertising Nthabiseng Ongoing We had to alter the sizes of adverts that could now be placed as well as adjust the pricing. We did receive some postive feedback with adverts being booked and advertised on some of the editions
The Shopsteward Magazine Online Website
Nthabiseng Ongoing The website is operating and we post labour news on it daily. We also post announcements and notices regarding COSATU and affiliate union activities
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(shopstewardonline.org.za)
Launch of 3 new communication platforms:
- COSATU News Bulletin (launched February 2017)
Nthabiseng & Donald
Ongoing This is a weekly news compilation of events and reports on the activities of affiliate unions and other labour related news relevant to workers. This is the form of a recorded audio with Nthabiseng reading the news and we invite officials of unions and workers who are Shopstewards to provide us with audio comments that accompany the news we report on.
We send it out every Friday via Whatsapp. Workers can subscribe at no fee to receive a copy of this. We also upload it on the Shopsteward Online site, Soundcloud, Twitter and Facebook.
We have received good feedback and workers continue to daily subscribe for a copy
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- COSATU Shopsteward Express (e-publication) lauched in August 2017
- COSATU TV (video interviews)
Nthabiseng
Nthabiseng & Donald
Ongoing
Ongoing
This is a soft copy (PDF format) layout publication that is published every two weeks. It seeks to swiftly report on current news and events that occur with COSATU and its affiliates without having to wait for the Shopsteward Newspaper print to publish those news. We can quickly reach workers and communicate announcements and information that is of an urgent nature
We interview COSATU officials on a number of different worker topics. This is aimed at communicating COSATU campaigns, activities and positions as well as explaining to workers the clear views and opinions of the Federation. The videos are uploaded on YouTube and easily accessible to workers
The subscription base is growing daily with requests from worker shopstewards, unions officials and workers at large. We are able to receive direct feedback from workers on the issues we report on and help answer questions and the queries they have via whatsapp as well as sms’
Viewership is gradually increasing (Donald can provide stats)
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The Shopsteward Publication: 2018
The Shopsteward Tabloid Newspaper – 2018
SPECIFIC FOCUS PERSON
RESPONSIBLE
TIME FRAME PROGRESS MADE COMMENTS
The Shopsteward -Printing, distribution & subscription
Nthabiseng February 2018 to October 2018
We have published two editions (tabloid publications) for this year. We are currently working on the June/July editions and are left with 3 more editions to publish
We will be producing a special bulletin covering the upcoming COSATU congress
Advertising Nthabiseng Ongoing We are working on attracting more advertisers within the labour movement; government and have already secured some bookings
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The Shopsteward Magazine Online Website
Nthabiseng Ongoing The website is still functional and we post labour news on it daily. We also have COSATU video interviews uploaded on the site(shopstewardonline.org.za)
- COSATU News Bulletin
Nthabiseng & Donald
Ongoing We release the news bulletin every Friday (via Shopsteward Online, whatsapp, twitter, facebook and souncloud)
The subscription base on all 3 platfroms grows daily and we are pleased with the progress.
- COSATU Shopsteward Express (e-publication) lauched in August 2017
Nthabiseng Ongoing The soft copy ( electronic PDF) is distributed every two weeks via whatsapp
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- COSATU TV (interviews)
Nthabiseng & Donald
Ongoing Interviews are conducted as and when there are COSATU campaigns, matters and topics that the federation wants to communicate to workers via YouTube
All these platforms will also be used at the upcoming COSATU congress to communicate and report on what will be taking place during and after the congress
Activity Specific Focus
Responsibility by Progress Report
Cosatu Website Content Management
Donald A new and improved website almost complete. Meets latest technological requirements. Fully controlled by Cosatu. Able to update in real time. Very cost effective and maintenance cost free.
Archives Information Management
Donald Internal documentation reservoir.
Cosatu TV News & Interviews
Donald & Nthabiseng Cosatu own news broadcasting platform. Video available online.
Online Broadcasting
Online News Donald & Nthabiseng News recording via soundcloud. Can be accessed via both Cosatu and SSOnline websites.
Mobile News SSExpress & News
Donald & Nthabiseng News bulletin delivered via WhatsApp. Listeners subscribe by sending SMS.
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Mondays we send out SSExpress (Mini version of Shopsteward Mag). Fridays we send out News broadcast to mobile phones.
Audio/Visuals Photos Donald
Library Books Donald Books, Reports, magazines and other resources available to staff and public for research purposes
CIMS Electronic Donald Cosatu own electronic information management system. Have 4 categories. Can be installed on laptops or accessed via Cosatu network or Media Centre Computer.
Voice Notes Donald Recently introduced method of communicating with members and public in general. Closing the gap between Cosatu and members.
Resources Donald Banners, posters, photos, booklets, flags and many other things used for workshops, meetings, training etc. Kept and managed here.
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Media Center Donald Space created for research, interviews, media forum, workshop etc. Very resourceful environment.
PART A: COSATU COMMUNICATIONS POLICIES
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that communications across the federation are well co-ordinated, effectively managed and responsive to the diverse information needs of the members.
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1. Our communication policy covers mainly external communication with our members and the general public. It does not cover internal communication policy as relates to management, staff and the union’s constitutional structures. Internal communication policy on information communication technology will be treated in a separate policy document. More especially it covers the following areas: media liaison, publications and Marketing, including website development.
2. PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
2.1. The purpose of this Policy is to:
(a) Promote effective communication with relevant stakeholders;
(b) Ensure that employees are aware of the importance of providing full and timely disclosure of the federation’s activities to staff, leadership and external stakeholders so that all stakeholders have equal access to the information, which is internally and externally available; and
(c) Set out the framework and strategy for achieving those goals.
3. PRINCIPLES GUIDING OUR COMMUNCATION POLICY
3.1. The federation’s communication policy is guided by the following principles:
(a) Commitment to a working class perspective;
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(b) Defending and advance the interests of the workers in particular and the working class in general;
(c) Communicating clear and well understood message within the federation and to the public.
(d) Delivering prompt communication response to media events and other issues relevant to the federation;
(e) Develop alternative and progressive working class media network.
4. OBJECTIVES
4.1 The objectives of our communication policy are as follows:
(a) To build and consolidate the profile of the federation and its unions: This objective aims to ensure that our policy positions and messages are well understood by the members and the public; and
(b) Building the federation media network. The aim of building a network of media workers who will contribute to the development of communication capacity of COSATU.
(c) To contribute to the development of a progressive media network. This aims to promote the development of media networks.
(d) To develop our own publication capacity. This aims to promote our own internal publications such the Shopsteward.
(e) Battle of Ideas: Must develop our own progressive internal media platforms to support the overall struggle for socialism and to build a strong workplace organisation that consistently challenges the Neoliberal agenda in all its manifestations, through research, articles and other media outlets.
5. REGULATIONS
5.1 Dealing with potentially Contentious Issues with National implications such as lawsuits and bad publicity that comes with unregulated communication:
(a) All potentially contentious media issues should be communicated by the General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary or any National Office Bearer deployed by the General Secretary to deal with the matter.
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(b) Where issues, have, or potentially may have, an impact on policy or implications across the federation, it is necessary to communicate these stories to the Office of the Secretariat directly. As soon as possible, a draft response to the issue should be forwarded to the Office of the Secretariat. Such response should indicate the key points of the issues and include the names and telephone/cell numbers of the assigned spokespeople who can make a public response to the matter.
(c) A decision on who will respond and how the issue is handled will be made following discussion between the General Secretary and the National Spokesperson.
(d) Where major stories are developing which involve national issues, with the assistance of Provincial Secretaries needs to ensure that relevant spokespeople are identified and available, particularly for radio and television follow-up, after newspaper articles are published. The identifying of the proposed spokesperson and contact details need to be clearly communicated to the General Secretary and the National Spokesperson.
(e) In the absence of the General Secretary and Provincial Secretary, other national and provincial office bearers may respond to media queries, including identifying individuals to represent the union in the media discourse.
5.2 Website and Disclaimer
(a) Your use of the website
You agree that your use of COSATU website is for lawful purposes only. You agree that you will not use this website for any unlawful purpose, including committing a criminal offence, gaining unauthorised access to other computer systems, or transmitting unlawful material.
(b) General disclaimer
You agree to access and use the federation’s site entirely at your own risk. Please read the Exclusion of Liability clauses below.
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(c) Choice of law
The federation’s website is owned and operated within the Republic of South Africa. Therefore, these terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and the user consents to the jurisdiction of the Witwatersrand High Court in the event of any dispute.
(d) Accuracy of information
While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided on the website is current and accurate, you should not assume that this is always the case, and should consult other sources before making any decision to act on this information.
(e) Privacy
We respect the privacy of all visitors to the federation’s site. You may use the federation’s site without providing any personal information. However, so that we can regularly assess and improve the site, we collect information on the number of visits to the site, pages viewed, etc.
(f) Copyright and use of material
COSATU retains copyright in the website and all current and future content displayed on the website which is not owned by third parties. In terms of a limited licence, granted for general use, COSATU grants the user, subject to these terms and conditions, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable right to access, display, use, download and otherwise copy the current and future content of the website for your personal, non-commercial and informational purposes only.
In addition, COSATU grants you permission to copy and distribute information from the website for non-commercial purposes, provided that: (i) this information has not been sourced from third parties; (ii) you notify COSATU of such use. This website and its contents may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, resold or otherwise used for any commercial purpose without the express prior written consent of COSATU.
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6. Reportable Incidents
6.1 The Secretariat Office has a key role in the appropriate management of incidents that have the potential to lead to legal action and in monitoring, managing and developing strategies to prevent adverse incidents from occurring throughout the federation. The office also has a key role in providing timely advice to the General Secretary on issues which may cause public concern and/ or media and public attention.
6.2 All Provincial Secretaries must ensure that appropriate and effective reportable incident procedures are in place. All Provincial Organisers are to submit the briefing to their Provincial Secretaries. This will allow the Provincial Secretaries with the opportunity to determine whether it is appropriate to refer the incident to the Office of the Secretariat. All the Provincial Organisers are not to forward briefings to the Office of the Secretariat without the authority of the Provincial Secretaries.
7. Confidentiality
7.1 All reportable incident briefings should be treated as confidential, this is particularly important for those briefings involving COSATU officials and Leadership. Provincial Secretaries are to ensure that the Provincial Organisers are aware of and observe all relevant confidentiality requirements and the above also applies to the Head of Communications.
7.2 Media interest in Reportable Incidents often occurs. The COSATU communications policy is a guideline for the types of incidents that would generally warrant prompt advice of the Office of the Secretariat and Communications Department. The Spokesperson is to be advised in a timely and effective manner of any incidents that satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
(a) Affect the union on a broader context.
(b) Have the potential to be of concern to the member, public or media.
(c) Require a coordinated response from the union.
8. Expert Opinion
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8.1. COSATU acknowledges the responsibility to properly inform the public on issues affecting the public and our members within the area of specific expertise such as economy, legal, etc. In regard to media requests for expert knowledge, the Office of the Secretariat should seek support in providing the information on a broad range of matters such as economy, legal, etc wherever possible providing that:
(a) The specialist is in agreement and feels comfortable with the arrangement.
(b) Requirements in regard to confidentiality and privacy of survey respondence etc. are met, where appropriate.
(c) In some instances, the media may directly contact the specialists. In these cases, the COSATU Spokesperson should be informed and the media advised that they must obtain approval from the General Secretary.
9. Delegation of Powers
9.1. Provincial Office Bearers are the official provincial spokespeople.
9.2. COSATU Locals cannot issue statements or speak to the media. They can only coordinate the process. The Provincial Office Bearers may identify and delegate comrades.
9.3. All media national issues may be dealt with by the national office bearers and the Spokesperson. However, the General Secretary may identify an individual to represent the union.
9.4. All media provincial issues may be dealt with by the provincial office bearers and the Spokesperson. However, the Provincial Secretary may identify an individual to present the union.
10. Media Statements
10.1 No media statements can be released without authorizations, in case of the Provinces, authorization should granted by the Provincial Secretary. On the national level authorization should be granted by the Office of the Secretariat.
11. Media Enquiries
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11.1 The Spokesperson in consultation with the General Secretary coordinates and manages media enquiries.
12. Crisis and Emergency Communication
12.1. A "crisis" is a situation that somehow challenges the public's sense of appropriateness, tradition, values, safety, security or the integrity of the federation. A crisis need not pose a serious threat to human life or property. Effective communication management is imperative to help maintain or restore the public's confidence in the organization in times of crisis.
12.2. An "emergency" is an abnormal situation that requires prompt action, beyond normal procedures, in order to limit damage to persons, property or the environment. Effective communication management is imperative before, during and after an emergency to help limit damage and to help maintain or restore public confidence in the federation.
13. Communicate in English and all other official languages
13.1. Our country’s constitution establishes the equal status of all official languages and enshrines the right of the citizens to access information in either language. Our federation shall at all material times attempt to stick by this principle, while acknowledging the prominence of the English language as a prominent language of communications. We shall attempt to foster the full recognition and use of all languages to the best of our abilities
14. THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARIAT
14.1 Guided by the principles and objectives of our communications policy, the federation will build and strengthen the Office of the Secretariat at national level to assume the following general roles:
(a) Co-ordinating external communication activities across the federation;
(b) Coordinate regular media campaign themes for each of the sectors organized by the federation’s unions and campaigns.
(c) Prepare and dissemination propaganda material through systematic development of our publication.
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(d) To build, monitor and maintain media liaison on daily basis and identify and respond to topical issues in the media that affect our members and the broader working class.
(e) The federation may participate and contribute to the development of labour-based, labour driven progressive communications network in South African and internationally.
(f) Promote media publications within the federation by advertising them in our existing publications.
(g) Analysing media exposure and recommend suitable responses;
14.2 Media liaison: The overall purpose is to build, monitor and maintain media relations on daily basis and identify and respond to topical issues in the media that affect our members and the broader working class. Specific functions of media liaison will be as follows:
(a) Drafting and dissemination of media releases;
(b) Acting as spokesperson of the federation
(c) Preparing regular media briefings for unions leadership and union officials
(d) Media monitoring and analysis
(e) Building media relations and organize networking activities
(f) Provide media support to other activities of the federation’s departments and provinces.
15. THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
15.1 Arising from the objectives of our communication policy and the role of the communications department, adequate capacity will be required to execute the following three major functions (1) Coordination of internal communication; (2) Publications; (3) and Marketing:
(a) Co-ordination of internal communication activities: The overall function is to provide general and sound administrative support and back-up to Communications and control over the specific assigned activities related to internal communication.
15.2 The overall purpose is to ensure efficient and effective communication between the federation, members and external stakeholders.
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15.3 The specific functions for co-ordination of internal communication activities are as follows:
(a) Providing overall coordination of all communication;
(b) Developing and implementing communications strategy;
(c) Undertaking research and analysis for pertaining to communication needs of the federation if required;
(d) Establishing and co-ordinating an Editorial Board to provide editorial support.
(e) Building and sustaining a network of the federation’s communication workers
15.4 Internal Communications: One of the mandates amongst others of internal communications is to build the public profile by ensuring that the federation takes up the contemporary socio-economic and political issues in the public discourse as our areas of focus and on the battle of ideas.
(a) The main priority of internal communication is to ensure that all communication is consistent with the union’s constitution.
(b) The publications officer’s tasks include amongst the others: - compiling articles/publications, research, photographic services, info members email account/website/intranet and social network content management, assisting in design and editing of all COSATU publications (print and electronic).
15.5 COSATU Logo: Our federation’s logo is an important part of our brand. It represents our identity and is a valuable piece of intellectual property. As a general rule, third parties may not use the COSATU logo ("logo"). Permission must be granted by the General Secretary on limited circumstances under which third parties may use the COSATU logo.
15.6 Systematic development of publications: The overall purpose is to produce and disseminate various propaganda material of the federation. Specific functions include:
(a) Producing and editing the federation’s publications
(b) Taking briefs, writing releases and articles, conducting approval process dissemination of publications.
(c) Establishing editorial board(s) for selected publications
(d) Source photographs to illustrate articles.
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(e) Provide strategic and attractive design input to publications.
16. Informing and Serving members
16.1 Structures of the federation must provide the members with open access to information about policies, programs, services and initiatives. Information for the use by members must be disseminated or made readily available in all regions of the federation. The communication needs of members working abroad in embassies must be taken into account as well so they, too, have access to information on policies, programs, services and initiatives. This is more so because, we have serious international resolutions to be implemented.
16.2 To assure quality service that meets the information needs of all members, the federation must ensure that:
(a) the federation’s constitution including all regulations and policies flowing from it, are respected at all times;
(b) trained and knowledgeable staff shall provide information services to the public;
(c) Ensure that service is timely, courteous, fair, efficient and offered with all due regard for the privacy, safety, convenience, comfort and needs of the members;
(d) Ensure that a variety of new and traditional methods of communication are used to accommodate the needs of a diverse membership;
(e) Must ensure that published information is available on request in multiple formats to accommodate persons with disabilities;
(f) Must ensure that information in all formats is well identified as being from the federation and requests or inquiries from the public are responded to promptly without undue delay;
(g) Ensure that prompt and clear explanations are provided when information requested by the membership is unavailable;
(h) Must ensure that opportunities are available for the members to provide feedback on major policies, programs, services and initiatives, and that such feedback is carefully considered in reviews or evaluations of same to help make improvements up-to-date information about the federation’s mandate, structure, programs and services provided to service workers.
17. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
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17.1 This communication policy is subjected to review on annual basis, through appropriate constitutional structures.
17.2 The Communications Department will develop a detailed communication strategy guided by this communication policy.
8. Accounts
PROVINCIAL REPORTS
1. Eastern Cape
1. CONSTITUTIONAL MEETINGS
The constitutional meetings sit as per the constitution of the federation.
2. STATE OF LOCALS
LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION STATE
1. ALICE Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Mzwamadoda Makhasi
Vuyokazi Mbeqeka
Nonana Mehlala
Zolani Fatyi
SADTU
DENOSA
NEHAWU
SATAWU
One of the small Local in Amathole Region. It has recently been shaken up and provided support so that it can be more active in terms of Campaigns, generally. It is fairly attending PEC’s.
2. ALIWAL NORTH
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Zolani Mathiso
Batini Ziqu
Thapelo Raisa
Phumla Nkqayi
POPCRU
SAMWU
NEHAWU
SADTU
Strongest Local in Joe Gqabi Region. A very active Local. It takes up a number of Local Campaigns and participates in Community issues. It is consistent in attending PEC. LOB’s attend PEC’s consistently.
3. BHISHO Chairperson
D/chairperso
Zuko Zibi
Malusi S. Nyembezi
Ndileka
NEHAWU
DENOSA
NEHAWU
This is an Industrial Area Local in the heart of Bhisho, the Provincial Capital. It serves very well the purpose it was created for alongside
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n
Secretary
Treasurer
Vakalisa
Thenjiwe Toto
SASAWU King William’s Town Local. This was after observation of workers being passive on COSATU activities. Most workers work there, but don’t stay there. After work it becomes the ghost town. COSATU meetings are held during the day and there is more sense of belonging and solidarity that was not there before the Local was set up. LOB’s attend PEC’s consistently.
4. BURGERSDORP
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Xolani E. Jaba
Pinkise Slate
Hombakazi Bucu
Bruce C. Farland
POPCRU SADTU
POPCRU
SATAWU
Small, but strong Local with dedicated leadership. The Local leadership has recruited many workers who were unorganized before and continue to be the hope of workers not receiving service from their union. Provincial Office has built capacity of LOB’s and Shop Stewards to improve efficiency and effectiveness as the Local is far from Regional Offices of affiliates and some organizers seldom go there. LOB’s attend PEC’s consistently. There is a potential of growth for this Local to cover Steynsburg as well. Structures of many public sector union overlap to cover Steynsburg.
5. BUTTERWORTH
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Boniswa Dumezweni
Nobuntu Modi
Lindikhaya Golela
Nozandisile Apleni
SATAWU
SAMWU
SADTU
NEHAWU
Strongest Local in Amathole Region. It as long-serving and experienced LOB’s. This Local assist in supporting Local Office Bearers of surrounding Locals. It is consistent in attending Locals.
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Local leadership is assisting in reviving surrounding Locals like Centane and Williowvale.
6. CALA Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Mthetho Ndamase
Lulamile Louis Gcaza
Lungile Kulata
Mzikazi Renqe
SAMWU
DENOSA
SADTU
SACCAWU
This rural Local in Chris Hani Region was coming along well, but resignation and relocation of some LOB’s have paralysed the Local. We are working with the remaining LOB’s to revive the Local. We are still to secure a date to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Chairperson.
7. CENTANE Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Unathi Mbontsi Resigned
Malande Sayo
Nomaphelo Botoli Relocated
Thokoza Mvundlela
SADTU
NEHAWU
POPCRU
NEHAWU
This is one the rural Locals in Amathole Region that was prospective before suffering from resignation and relocation of LOB’s. Plans to revive the Local are underway.
We are working with Butterworth Local Leadership in reviving the Local
8. COFIMVABA
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Sandile Nyalambisa
Ntombikayise Mkwabi
Khayalethu Lobi Relocated
Nontsebenzo Mawela
NEHAWU
SADTU
SADTU
SAMWU
This is one of the Locals that need revival. The Chairperson is the NEHAWU Deputy Secretary in the Province and the Secretary from SADTU has relocated.
Efforts to conduct by-elections have not succeeded yet, the meeting was poorly attended. We are working towards ensuring that the next attempt serves the purpose.
9. CRADOCK Chairperson
Mbulelo Kima
Siyabulela
SACCAWU
NEHAWU
The Local was re-launched on 07 June 2017. Still
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D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Ntlokwana
Xolani Ralarala
Mfundo Damoyi
POPCRU
SADTU
performing well since the re-launch.
10.EAST LONDON
Chairperson
D/Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Zola Capu-capu
Dumisani Zono
Malibongwe Mfazwe
Thandeka Toro
SAMWU NEHAWU
SADTU
POPCRU
This is one of the three Locals in Buffalo City Metro. It is strategically located in the hub of the economy in the Region, but is yet to live up to expectations. The PEO is making extra effort to ensure its vibrancy. LOB’s attend PEC’s consistently, though alternating frequently.
11.ELLIOT Chairperson
D/ Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Lomelele Fana
B. Nosisi Ntsere
X. P. Vava
Nomthetho Cetyiwe
SADTU
NEHAWU POPCRU
SADTU
This Locals was re-launched on 02 August 2017
12.FLAGSTAFF
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Ntsikelelo Mabena
Mancedo Ngcuka
Nomonde Sitha
Yanga Mjikwa
NEHAWU
POPCRU
SADTU
NEHAWU
This Local is performing well. It is attending to PEC meetings well.
13.FORT BEAUFORT
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Zukisile Mboto
Xolani Mtsila
Nokuthula Zondani
Sonwabile Marogo
SADTU
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
DENOSA
This local in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality was re-launched on 06 June 2017.
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14.GRAAF- REINET
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Mzimkhulu Bokwe
Doreen Jacobs
Yolanda Mtwazi
Ndoyithini Bottoman
SADTU
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
SACCAWU
Local has been re-launched and is fairly functional
LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
15.GRAHAMSTOWN
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Thando Mtshalala
Mphumzi Mfuku
Gwen Mvula-Njamela
Siyanda Mafani
NEHAWU
NUM
SADTU
SACCWU
This Local was re-launched on 26 April. This Local played an important role in mobilising and supporting the May Day Rally and the neighbouring Port Alfred Local
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16.HUMANSDORP
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Siphiwo Zamani
Noel Draai
Nompumelelo Mngxonono
Alida Fortuin
POPCRU
SADTU
SADTU
SACTWU
This Local was re-launched on 08 June 2017.
The local leadership is working with former Local Chairperson, Comrade Sibongile Jujwana, who is an ANC Councillor in assisting SACTWU with recruitment of Farm Workers.
17.INDWE Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Thembizizwe Ntabelanga
Solomon Gela
Sekiwe Makamba
Brenda Tshabalala
SADTU
SACCAWU
SAMWU
FAWU
One of the rural town Locals in Chris Hani Region. There are prospects of mining coal in the area. We hope that would improve economic activities in that area. The Provincial office has assisted in building capacity of Shop Stewards across affiliates in the Local in an endeavour to improve service to members. Local Office Bearers attend the PEC’s fairly well.
18. JAMESTOWN
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Lwazi Ndabeni
Nomvuyo Nenzani
Nkosinathi Siyoko
Buyiswa Tauwa
POPCRU
SADTU
POPCRU
SAMWU
A small town Local in Joe Gqabi Region. It is an active Local that consistently attends PEC’s
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LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
19.KING WILLIAM’s TOWN
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Ludwe Kobese
VACANT
Nontando Masiza
Thanduxolo Jonas
NEHAWU
POPCRU
SACTWU
Active Local that has a potential to do more. The Local will hold by-elections to fill the vacant Deputy Chairperson’s position i as Comrade Siyabulela Swapi is no longer a Shop Steward of SAMWU. The LOB’s attend PEC’s Consistently
20.LADY FRERE
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Xolani Siyeka
Zanele Gcaza
Andile Mazwi
Nandipha Jonase
SADTU
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
SACCAWU
One of the rural town Locals in Chris Hani Region. It lacks vibrancy.
Toward the end of August, the focus will be on reviving ailing Locals in Chris Hani Cluster. This Local is among those targeted.
21.LADY GREY Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Fungile W. Tabane
Mirriam Makhetha
Siyabonga G. Tshangela
N. P. George
SADTU
SADTU
POPCRU
SAMWU
This Local in the Joe Gqabi Region has been plagued by the high turnover of LOB’s. The re-launch of this Local was on 11 August 2017
22.LUSIKISIKI Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Nontembiso Mdolo
Tyelovuyo Wopula
Bongani Madolo
Thandi Mthiywa
NEHAWU
SADTU
SADTU
POPCRU
This is one of the Locals that are active.
The Provincial Office has identified areas of intervention to harness the potential.
23.MACLEAR Chairperso This is one of the far-flung
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D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Vuyiswa V. Fokoto
Nobubele Sikhafungana
Mandithini Nojoko
SADTU
SADTU
FAWU
Locals in Joe Gqabi district.
LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
24.MATATIELE
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Bonginkosi Mntumntum
Mbali Mbuyazi
Bonginkosi Ngcebele
Cebisa Sotshongaye
SADTU
SAMWU
NEHAWU POPCRU
This Local is active.
It is one of the five Local Alfred Nzo Cluster that contributed to the successful May Day Rally in Bizana and Cluster Shop Stewards Council that received Central Committee Report from COSATU 2nd
Deputy President, Comrade Losi.
25.MBIZANA Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Nwabisa Majova
Vusumzi Jiza
Senezo Shange
Phumeza Ngquseka
SAMWU
SADTU
SADTU
NEHAWU
This is one of the vibrant Locals in Alfred Nzo Region with enthusiastic, energetic leadership and potential to put the local in a better pedestal. This Local held a successful May Day Rally and contributed in making a success of the Cluster Shop Stewards Council that received Central Committee Report from COSATU 2nd
Deputy President, Comrade Losi.
The LOB’s attend the PEC’s well.
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26.MIDDELBURG CAPE
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Vuyisile Solani
Sabatha Mekana
Nomawethu Nhonho Soga
Siseko Bantom
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
POPCRU
SAMWU
This Local is one of the far-flung Local on the edge of the Province on the side of Northern Cape.
The Local is active and attends PEC’s.
27.MIDDLEDRIFT
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Andile Soka
S. P. Ndyawe
Loyiso Mlahlwa
Noxolo Lekezwa
SADTU
POPCRU
DENOSA
NEHAWU
This is rural locals in Amathole Region. The Local covers a small area with little economic activities taking place there and that limits unions that are active there. Many people that work there do not stay there.
We are still looking at the feasibility of sustaining this local
28. MT. AYLIFF Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Phindile Soyizwaphi
Nomonde Mcondobi
Sihlahla Nozigqwaba
Mmeli Nyangule
NEHAWU
POPCRU
SAMWU
SADTU
One of the Strong Locals in Alfred Nzo Region. This Local is active.
It is one of the five Local Alfred Nzo Cluster that contributed to the successful May Day Rally in Bizana and Cluster Shop Stewards Council that received Central Committee Report from COSATU 2nd
Deputy President, Comrade Losi.
Regular attendees to PEC’s
LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
29. MT. FLETCHER
Chairperson
D/chairperso
Mlungisi Delihlazo
Mphamotseng Thatho
DENOSA
POPCRU
SADTU
This is one of the far flung Locals; it is in Joe Gqabi Region. The Local has been negatively affected by the
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Secretary
Treasurer
Vuyokazi Mlandu
Temba Majavu
NEHAWU high rate of high rate of resignations and redeployment that have created inconsistency in the Local performance.
30.MT FRERE Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
M. Gabela
Ayanda Maliwa
Luyanda Mangumta
Nomazwe Goqa
SADTU
POPCRU
NEHAWU
SADTU
This Local is active.
It is one of the five Local Alfred Nzo Cluster that contributed to the successful May Day Rally in Bizana and Cluster Shop Stewards Council that received Central Committee Report from COSATU 2nd
Deputy President, Comrade Losi.
31.MTHATHA Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
N. Mjiwu
Pumla Mzantsi
Themba Mbuwako
Thandiwe Ncipha
CWU
NEHAWU
SADTU
POPCRU
This Local is in the heart of O. R. Region and is the most industrialised in the Region. It has a potential of reaching the standards it set in the past among other Locals in the Region. Capacity building is embarked upon to strengthen the Local.
32.NGCOBO This Local is one of the rural Locals in Chris Hani Region. This Local was highly affected by COSATU national challenges that rendered it dysfunctional in COSATU programmes. The Provincial Office stepped in and is doing political work to stabilise the Local. Local Office Bearers will be elected soon.
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LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
33.NTABANKULU
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Buqaqawuli Nyembezi
Xolile Rafana
Thobeka Dlova
Mthethunzima Bashe
POPCRU
DENOSA
NEHAWU
This Local is active.
It is one of the five Local Alfred Nzo Cluster that contributed to the successful May Day Rally in Bizana and Cluster Shop Stewards Council that received Central Committee Report from COSATU 2nd
Deputy President, Comrade Losi.
34.PEDDIE
(NGQUSHWA)
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Melubakho Pat Mkweta
Unathi Ngcoza
Sonwabo Leleki
V. J. Magayo
POPCRU
POPCRU
NEHAWU
DENOSA
This Local was re-launched on 13 June 2017
35.PORT ALFRED
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Bright Ndzima
Nomalinge Vanga
Lindile Ngqunge
Zoleka Ngesi
NEHAWU
SADTU
EHAWU
DENOSA
Strong Local in Sarah Baartman Region. The Local leadership has strong relations with Community Based Organisation. This is helping them to coordinate solidarity for onions as and when they have actions.
This Local held a successful May Day rally
36.PORT ST JOHNS
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
W. V. Magungxu
Beauty Ndima
Thembikhaya Mafolo
N. Thonga
SADTU
DENOSA
POPCRU
SACCAWU
One of the strong Locals in O.R. Tambo Region.
.
LOB’s are regular attendees to PEC’s
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LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
37.QUMBU Chairperson
D. chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Musawenkosi Mtwazi
Zithulele Mankungwini
Bukelwa Nyembezi
Phindile Manciya
SADTU
SACCAWU NEHAWU SAMWU
One of the active Locals in O.R. Tambo Region. It is a stable Local. Its LOB’s attend PEC normally.
38.SOMMERSET EAST
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Nkosekhaya Mona
Lungi Jack
Mavis Jacobs
Paul Mopeleti
DENOSA
SAMWU
SADTU
NEHAWU
Local was launched, but its viability is still under consideration
39.STERKSPURUIT
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Sariele Seloane
Nomfundo Gabuza
Mkhululi Nduna
Kholiwe Mpiti-Xelesha
SADTU
POPCRU
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
Dysfunctional Local in Joe Gqabi Region.
40.STUTTERHEIM
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Ludumo Kobese
Bongani Hodi
Thembela Magwangqana
Lunga Ncevu
NEHAWU
SADTU
SAMWU
POPCRU
Strong Local in Amathole Region. Its LOB’s attend PEC regularly
The Local Office Bearers are active is coordinating solidarity with affected unions as well as identifying `farms for recruit from.
41.TSOLO Chairperso Thembelani S. NEHAWU One of the active Locals in
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D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Guga
Nonyameko Nogaga
Siyambulela Lutshiti
Thembeka Kapa
POPCRU
SADTU
NEHAWU
O.R. Tambo Region. It is a stable Local. Its LOB’s attend PEC regularly.
LOCAL POSITION NAME UNION
42.TSOMO Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Mziwoxolo Patrick Bota
B. K. Mhlahlo
Lungile Gwantshu
Phateka N. Makapela
SADTU
POPCRU SAMWU
NEHAWU
One of the rural Locals in Chris Hani District. The Local is active and LOB’s attend PEC’s fairly.
43.UITENHAGE
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Lindile Cakwebe
Ntomboxolo Xola
Vuyani Singeni
Nomaxabiso Qawa
NEHAWU
SADTU
DENOSA
This Local is in Nelson Mandela Metro, the economic hub of the province. This Local has suffered from leadership challenges. It is currently on the path of improvement
44.VUSUMZI MJILA
(QUEENSTOWN)
Chairperson
D/Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Mongameli Mancam
Sibongiseni Gijana
Mawethu Dyalvani
Sandile Dyantyi
SAMWU
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
SATAWU
One of the strong locals in the Chris Hani Region. It is the more industrialized local in this Region. It has a potential to do better. This Local embarks on Local campaigns and takes COSATU campaigns seriously. When hosting May Day rallies, they become successful. It
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attends PEC’s consistently.
45. VUYISILE MINI
(PORT ELIZABETH)
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Lizo Vakala
Zuko Mafani
Thembalethu Olifant
Nombulelo Nzima
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
POPCRU
CWU
This Local is in the heart of Nelson Mandela Metro, the economic hub of the province. It is expected that this Local is strong, but it has not reached such level. The state of the local is a mirror image of the state of many affiliates in Nelson Mandela by
The Provincial Office is hard at work building capacity of its Leadership so that signs of improvement can be there and that local is taken to greater heights.
46.WILLOWVALE
Chairperson
D/chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
N. “Shooz” Saliwa
Nonkanyiso Mbongisa
T. Sihotile
F. Mlanjana
SADTU
SACCAWU
NEHAWU
POPCRU
Small rural town Local, It is weak and need revival.
3. STATE OF AFFILIATES IN THE PROVINCE
Unions participating in COSATU Campaigns
SADTU NEHAWU POPCRU DENOSA SAMWU SACTWU NUM SACCAWU SATAWU CEPPWAWU SAEPU
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3.1 Sadtu
The union is participating in Cosatu activities and were visible in numbers during the mobilisation programmes for National May Day
3.2 Nehawu
The union is participating in Cosatu activities and attends constitutional meetings even though they were not consistent in the May Day mobilisation programme sighting lack of resources.
3.3 Samwu
The union is taking part in Cosatu activities even though they are having serious internal challenges. They convened a Provincial Shopstewards Council on the 22nd March 2018 and took the following decisions:
That they agree to work together and unite Samwu in the province and at national level under the guidance of Cosatu CEC Task Team.
That they rescind all the suspensions and expulsions on comrades that were taken by their PEC and will work to convince their NOB’s and CEC to do the same
That they are going to withhold their subscriptions and keep them in the regions until their NOB’s come to their senses and their next PEC is expected to endorse these decisions.
That they are going to write letters calling for the Special National Congress to deal with the challenges confronting their union
3.4 Popcru
The union is taking part in our programmes and do attend our constitutional meetings. They submitted their May Day mobilisation programme even though they were not that much visible in the War room sighting financial constraints.
3.5 Denosa
They participate in our programmes in terms of attending PEC’s and campaigns committee meetings when invited and do submit programmes when requested. They participated in the May Day mobilisation programme and assisted a lot on catering for the war room.
3.6 Num
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The union is taking part in Cosatu activities and submit programmes when required. They participated to a limited extent in the May Day mobilisation programme and assisted on catering in the War room.
3.7 Satawu
Satawu is currently struggling to participate in our activities due to their national internal organisational challenges. They participated in the May Day mobilisation programme. The National Task Team has since reinstated the Provincial leadership that was disbanded by the then National Office Bearers.
3.8 Ceppwawu
The union has serious internal challenges at national level which has adversely affected the province in terms of their performance. They are now attending Cosatu activities after the lifting of suspension on the Provincial Secretary and participated in the May Day mobilisation programme especially their shopstewards and organisers based in Nelson Mandela Metro. They even assisted in catering for the War room. They submitted mobilisation programme for 2018 National May Day.
3.9 Cwu
The union is still struggling to participate in Cosatu activities and were not that much visible during the May Day mobilisation programme even though they submitted their mobilisation programme. We think this has to do with limited resources they have.
3.10 Saccawu
The union is available in our PEC’s and other activities of the Federation. They participated well in the May Day mobilisation programme and submitted their own.
3.11 Sactwu
The union is active and available in all our PEC’s and other activities. They participated in numbers in the May Day mobilisation programme especially their shopstewards based in Nelson Mandela Metro. They submitted their own May Day mobilisation programme and made sure it is implemented.
3.12 Limusa
The union is still struggling to establish itself and is gradually being not visible in our activities like in the May Day mobilisation programme. We think it has to do with the
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limited resources on their part and we are to make a follow up to them to see how we can assist.
3.13 Sasbo
We have never seen the union in the Province in all our activities. We request assistance from their NOB’s to make sure they are part of our programmes including attending PEC’s.
3.14 Sama
Not active in the Province in all our activities and we are requesting their NOB’s assistance.
3.15 Pawusa
The union is not attending our structural meetings like the PEC and does not respond when requested to submit their programmes like the three months programme for listening and recruitment. We request their NOB’s to intervene on the matter.
3.16 Saepu
The union participated well throughout our May Day mobilisation programme including their President who was consistent in the War room and deployments.
4. SOLIDARITY WORK WITH UNIONS UNDER ATTACK
As was reported earlier on we have managed to unify Samwu in the Province and have since met with Satawu. We are to meet soon with Ceppwawu and find out how we can assist in their internal challenges.
5. IMPLEMENTATION OF POLITICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES INCLUDING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHRIS HANI BRIGATES
Priority has been given to revive COSATU Engines, the Locals and enhanced coordination of CEC Campaigns.
Political Education is done during the revival of Locals, induction of Locals and not done in a systematic and incremental way because of the focus being on the mentioned priorities.
6. IMPLIMENTATION OF CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING RECRUITMENT
SADTU NEHAWU POPCRU
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DENOSA SAMWU SACTWU NUM SACCAWU SAEPU
7. WORK WITH THE ALLIANCE IN THE PROVINCE
The Provincial Alliance is functioning in that there are Alliance Secretariat meetings sitting even though we are still working on the Alliance joint programme of action. We are participating in the ANC deployment committee and other sub-committees. We had our Officials Alliance meeting on the 01st February 2018 and it was a great success. This was kind of an introductory meeting after the ANC, SACP and SANCO Provincial Conferences. After some briefings by each Alliance components on political and organisational matters, it was then agreed that the Alliace Secretariat must soon have a meeting to draft a common programme of action which must include our visits to the hot spot areas and must include a date for an Alliance Political Council where all PEC’s will attend. We are now grappling with the defiant Premier who is refusing the ANC instruction to reshuffle some of the MEC’s who are seen not to be performing well in terms of service delivery. He seems to be protecting them as they are the ones who were supporting him during the ANC Provincial Conference and the matter has since been escalated to Luthuli House. We worked well as the Alliance in preparation for the May Day and the ANC assisted a lot financially.
8. WORK WITH THE YOUTH MOVEMENT AND PROGRESSIVE STUDENT MOVEMENT
We are working well with SASCO and Cosas in terms of having bilateral and attendance of our programmes especially during the fees must fall campaign. They also attended our May Day rally. The only challenge is our inability to help them when they request financial assistance as we are always without funds.
9. WORK WITH CIVIL SOCIETY
We forged working relations with the South African Council of Churches and the Taxi Associations during the 27th September 2017 National Strike Day as they attended our marches. They also attended our May Day rally.
10.2018 NATIONAL May Day
The National May Day rally was a great success in our Province and we think our objective of trying to recapture the Nelson Mandela Metro will be achieved. The Alliance worked well
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in mobilising both the workers and the communities and what is left is to keep up the momentum going to 2019 National General Elections.The turnout in terms of numbers was +-15000 as the stadium was full to capacity. All Alliance speakers were present and what was disappointing were the CEC deployees who most of them did not turn up for mobilisation work. We commend those that honoured their deployments.Some of the affiliates did not provide enough transport for their members to attend the rally whilst others never provided at all and we hope they will improve in the near future.
2. Northern Cape
Introduction
This report will attempt to capture the activities of the federation since the 3rd Provincial Congress in July 2015. We will also report on the state of the federation and its strictures in the three year period.
Constitutional Structures
Provincial Office Bearers
The Provincial Congress elected a leadership collective of the following comrades:
Provincial Chairperson – Cde Zamani Matiso Deputy Provincial Chairperson – Cde Jacques Cupido Provincial Treasurer – Cde Catherine Makhubo Provincial Secretary – Cde Anele Gxoyiya
This leadership collective functioned well for the first 18 months until the Provincial Treasurer became inconsistent in attending to the meetings and the programmes of the federation. From April 2017 the Provincial Treasurer absented herself in all the activities of the federation and left the leadership operating with three office bearers.
The three remaining office bearers have been managing the affairs of the federation in the province well.
Provincial Executive Committee
The meetings of the PEC have been convened at all times according to the year planner and there has been improvement in the attendance of the affiliates. The PEC has achieved a high level of stability and there is cohesion in the operations of the structure.
CWU, SACTWU, SAMWU, SAMA and PAWUSA are not participating in the activities of the federation. SAMA and PAWUSA have never attended the PECs and have not participated in all programmes of the federation in the province.
Local Executive Committees
There are 18 locals in the Northern Cape and they vary in strength and functionality. The current state of the locals is as follows:
LOCAL RELAUNCH CURRENT STATE
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1. Britstown Done Weak
2. Carnarvon Not Done Dysfunctional
3. Colesberg Done Newly launched
4. Danielskuil Done Functional
5. De Aar Done Functional
6. Douglas Done Functional
7. Gamagara Done Functional
8. Hartswater/Pampierstad Done Functional
9. Hopetown Done Weak
10. Jan Kempdorp Not Done Weak
11. Kimberley Done Functional
12. Kuruman Done Functional
13. Magareng Not Done Dysfunctional
14. Noupoort Done Functional
15. Petrusville Not Done Dysfunctional
16. Postmasburg Not Done Dysfunctional
17. Springbok Done Weak
18. Upington Done Functional
Provincial Sub-structures
Provincial Political Commission
The Provincial political Commission was established and it does not function optimally. Some representatives have been extremely inconsistent but those that were available managed to execute the responsibilities.
Provincial Campaigns Committee
The committee has functioned mainly out of the organisers of affiliates and has been able to co-ordinate the few campaigns.
Provincial Educators/Organisers Forum
Only five affiliates’ organisers and educators (NEHAWU, POPCRU, SADTU and SACCAWU) have kept this forum running and have developed programmes and implemented them although with some limitations.
FINCOM
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This committee has not met as frequent as it was supposed to due to the inconsistence of the affiliates’ treasurers in attending the meetings. Most of the work of FINCOM was done by the PEC.
Provincial Gender Committee
This committee is in place but there are no programmes run by the structure.
Provincial Shop Steward Councils
This is one area that has been getting positive responses from the affiliates and has been meeting regularly.
Secretaries Meetings
The meetings have been convened on a regular basis to take forward the PEC decisions. The attendance of affiliates is inconsistent but the meetings managed to sit.
Campaigns
Recruitment
This campaign takes place at affiliate level and the affiliates are not reporting on the work done.
Jobs and Poverty
There has been no deliberate programme of campaigns in the province as a result of the affiliates not mobilising well for the campaigns. However there are some of the affiliates that have been having campaigns in defence of jobs. SACCAWU held a number of pickets in the retail sector especially at Shoprite and Pick ‘n Pay.
We held two marches to the Premier’s Office and one each to the DMR and Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and industry.
Anti-corruption
We marched with NEHAWU to the Northern Cape Legislature and the Premier’s Office and the union opened a criminal case against the Speaker and the Secretary of the legislature. We also opened a case with the Hawks against the former MEC for COGHSTA in the Northern Cape on corruption allegations.
We also wrote to the Provincial Treasury requesting a forensic investigation at the department of COGHSTA.
Nelson Mandela Day
On the 18 July we have always engaged on programmes that sought to contribute positively to our communities. We always work together with our locals to show good cause to the needy persons.
Our locals have been central in doing this work every year.
May Day
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We hold May Day rallies every year and the attendance by the workers is inconsistent. One of the issues that the workers have been consistently raising is the non-attendance of the rallies by the CEC members and the leadership of the alliance.
Education
The province takes keen interest on the education system under the leadership of SADTU as an affiliate directly involved. Every year in January we visit a number of schools together with officials of the NCDOE and the political leadership. We have mobilised workers to avail themselves in the School Governing Bodies and this time around there are many workers who play a leading role in the SGBs.
The establishment of a university in the province has finally yielded results with the Sol Plaatje University admitting the first intake of students in 2016.
Elections Campaign
The federation is participating in the election structures of the ANC but we have not yet developed our own programme for the COSATU campaign. The working relationship in the alliance is good and the ANC involves the alliance in all their programmes.
Alliance
The alliance relations in the province have been gradually improving to the extent that the ANC consults the alliance partners prior to all major differences. The only challenge is our impatience at the soft hand of the ANC in dealing with the forever defiant Premier who openly undermines the ANC. We have confronted the ANC leadership about the behaviour of the Premier after she failed to contest for provincial leadership in the last Provincial Conference.
Our relationship with the SACP has not been characterised by joint campaigns as we have agreed to in a number of meetings. We need to ensure the implementation of the programme as agreed upon in the bilateral that we have held with the party.
SANCO has organisational challenges that we are working closely with the leadership to try and resolve.
3. Kwa- Zulu –Natal
1. Introduction
KwaZulu Natal remains pivotal in the struggle for the total emancipation of a poor worker, the working class and the building of trade union movement, in particular COSATU. In the review period our Federation has been faced with severe challenges, ranging from union bashing from employers who want to see workers losing hope from our Affiliates, our opponents unions who have identified COSATU as their primary enemy, and the intra-contradictions that continue to face our unions. These weaknesses manifest themselves in many different ways i.e. the lack by some of our union to conduct ideological and political education, failure to prioritize basic training and inductions of shop stewards and union leadership, lack to convene general meetings and workplaces visits by leadership, lack of
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adherence to the Constitution by some of our Affiliates, unprofessionalism in handling administrative matters of the trade union, ineffectiveness and inefficiency by some of union officials etc.These limitations have impacted negatively on union growth and membership service and these have blames are always apportioned to COSATU, which in an actual fact are errors and miscalculations by our leaders.In the mist of all these limitations, the Province however continues to dedicate itself to the building of a strong COSATU, Affiliates, and the Alliance and to remain influential in the battle of ideas and the direction the struggle of the working class should take.Important to mention also is that KZN had its successful ordinary Provincial Congress in mid June 2018. The following report is the reflection of the work done, attempts and efforts by the leadership of COSATU, the PEC and our union cadres aimed to advance the struggle of workers and the National Democratic Revolution as our route to socialism.
2. Constitutional Meetings
2.1. Meetings of the Provincial Executive Committee
The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) is charged with the responsibility to manage the political affairs of the Province, in so far as the implementations of the decisions of the Constitutional structures such as CEC and PEC itself are concerned.
There is a consistence in the sitting of the Provincial Executive Committee meetings and all meetings of the Province do meet the required quorum.
Post 2015 Provincial Congress there were two PECs convened, one on the 28th – 29th
October 2015 and other one at the end of the year.
The PEC of the 28th & 29th October 2015 focused on the implementation of Provincial Congress decisions and the preparations for the Local Government Elections of 2016, and the 30th Anniversary of COSATU.
In 2016 a Special PEC was convened on 19th February to adopt the Program of the February Strategic Planning Workshop, which was about translating the resolutions of the 12 th
Provincial Congress and Special National Congress into practice. This meeting further looked as what kind of action the Province should take for Section 77 against Tax Laws campaign.
Another PEC was convened on the 12th & 13th April 2016 which focused on the preparation of May Day and consolidating the Election Programme for Local Government Elections.
The PEC of 08th & 09th September 2016 dealt with our Provincial political situation and the analyses of the Local Government Election outcomes, and COSATU ongoing Campaigns of Banning of Labour Brokers. It further focused on the preparations for the WFTU International World Congress that was hosted for the first time in Africa by our KZN Province in Durban, COSATU’s role was informed by a number of our Affiliates who are affiliated to WFTU.
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We further convened the PEC on the 02nd December 2016 which was a normal PEC focusing on the daily activities of the Federation in so far the assessment of the political and socio economic issues including the state of the Federation organizationally.
In 2017, we convened a PEC on the 28th & 29th March 2017 focusing on building COSATU as an engine of service delivery to our members, including the development of programmatic intervention to those Affiliates that were faced with challenges. This PEC further developed the Local based Programme of Listening Campaigns and Training of Leadership and Shop Stewards. Under political front the focus was on the unity and cohesion of the Alliance.
On the 15th & 16th August 2017 we further convened an ordinary PEC which was focusing on the organizational work particularly on the assessment of the Affiliates in the province and the state of Locals and the assessment of the previous May Days Celebrations including the upcoming one. On socio economic front, the PEC concentrated on Section 77 and other socio economic campaigns that were adopted by the 06th Central Committee that was held on the 29th May - 01st June 2017. On the political front it dealt with the state of NDR and struggle for Socialism. It further assessed the instabilities in Municipalities particularly at Msunduzi and EThekwini.
On the 15th & 16th November 2017, the PEC focused on the assessment of the day of action and mobilization for Section 77 on State capture and corruption. This PEC received detailed report and Road map for the 13th Provincial Congress and preparations, and it further discuss the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the SACP on the question of State Power, the assessment on the State of the Alliance and the preparation of the 54 th National Conference of the ANC.
In 2018, Special PECs were convened on 06th February and 08th March to discuss among other things, the Provincial Congress preparations, CEC decisions, May Day assessment, re-launching of Locals, Three Month Program of Action etc.
The normal PEC was sat the on 29th May 2018 to discuss CEC outcomes and Programme of Action, the Provincial Congress preparations and the Provincial Political dynamics. This PEC was also honoured by the Presence of the President of COSATU, comrade Sdumo Dlamini. On 14th June 2018 another Special PEC was also called to deal with the final touch-up of the Provincial Congress preparations.
The above are just a reflection on some meetings of the PEC but in a nut shell there were number PEC and Special PEC meetings convened under the review period in line with our COSATU Constitution.
As part of reporting back to our members and structures, and an offensive on the battle of ideas, our PECs precede by media briefings that discuss the outcomes of the PEC meetings.
The attendance of Affiliates to the PECs varies, but as mentioned earlier here, our PECs always have had good attendance.
Recommendations: Due to the nature of work PECs have to undertake, one day has proven not to be adequate for PEC meetings and therefore two day PEC is strongly recommended.Unions in their planning need to ensure that critical activities & important meetings such as PECs are synchronized into their plans.
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Unions Head Offices to assist its Provincial leadership with necessary logistics for them to be able to attend COSATU meetings.
2.2. Meetings of the Provincial Office Bearers
This structure is responsible for running the affairs of the Federation by ensuring that decisions of the CEC and PEC are implemented. According to agreed arrangement POBs it sits on Tuesdays whenever the Provincial Office Bearers are available for such a meeting. Post the Provincial Congress of the 29th -31st July 2015 the POB’s took forward the Congress decisions by taking the resolutions of the Congress to Political Commission and also to convene a Strategic Planning Workshop, to take forward the Congress Resolutions and development of the Programme of action which was successfully pursued.
The current POBs post the 14th – 15th June Provincial Congress, POBs continue to sit Tuesdays and are fully dedicated to the Program of Action of the Federation.
Since some of the Provincial Office are new in the office, and understanding COSATU’s challenge of resources, intensive union support is therefore recommended for the POBs to do their work efficiently.
2.3. Meetings of the Provincial Shop Stewards Councils
Every year, the Province has had two PSSC meetings, one in the First Quarter of the Year and the other in the Second Quarter.
The first PSSC post Provincial Congress was held on the 20th September 2015, it was addressed by the Alliance leadership and COSATU GS, comrade Bheki Ntshalintshali. The primary task for this PSSC was to deal with our mobilization plan for Section 77 COSATU had filed with NEDLAC in respect of banning of Labour Brokers, E-tolls, and other socio economic issues for 7th of October, an International Workers Day.
A Special PSSC in February 2016 was convened, this PSSC was called on urgent basis and the main purpose was to report to worker leadership about the New Tax Law which was affecting workers’ Pension Funds, and to enhance the march against these laws. This Special PSSC was held in Pietermaritzburg and preceded by a march that went to Treasury Offices, and this march took a National character since the Province was the only one to wedge such an action against those Tax Laws and widely covered. Another PSSC was convened 23rd
April 2016 to deal with state of readiness for Joint COSATU/SACP march against unfavorable economic conditions, and state of readiness for the May Day Celebration, mobilization for Local Government Elections, and Key COSATU Campaigns and the Program of Action.
In 2017, two PSSCs were convened one in April focusing on May Day preparations and one in September that dealt with the mobilization and state of readiness for 27 th September strike on Section 77.
In 2018, a PSSC meeting was called on the15th April to as part of the May Day mobilization.
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These PSSCs have been very successful and it is important to thank our Affiliates and shop stewards for taking such meetings seriously.
Provincial Shop Stewards Council remain the most important platform for mobilization for COSATU campaigns, and proper planning by our unions is necessary to ensure maximum attendance of shop stewards,
3. State of locals
Locals remain important pillars for the Federation. Where our Locals are strong, the burden for our unions becomes lesser. There has been a challenge of lack of commitment by some union shop stewards to attend Locals and form part of their activities.
Locals also continue to be faced by serious lack of resources to enable them to effectively do their work, and Affiliates are always urged to provide necessary support to our Locals.
Unions that are not in good standing have made it very difficult to re-launch our Locals, only four Locals have successfully re-launched, with Pietermaritzburg opting for a route of revival as opposed to a fully-fledge re-launch.
Building up to the Provincial Congress, many unions have corrected their status with COSATU and this gives hope that our program for the revival of Locals will begin to unfold smoothly, since the requests for revival from different Locals are already flooding our Provincial Office, and the current leadership is taking this task very seriously and possible before the 2018 ends all Locals must have been revived, which is in line with building the engines of COSATU.
The Province is therefore in the phase of developing the 2nd Programme for the re-launches to replace the first one which was developed at the beginning of this year.
However, it must be reported that many of our Locals remain strong and continue to take up campaigns of COSATU, and the Province has the following (37) locals as reflected below:
NB: The Local leadership reflected below is as was during the previous re-launches; however some of them are currently inactive due to union dynamics i.e. suspensions and changes caused by new deployments, and this condition will be rectified through the current process of re-launching our Locals.
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LOCAL LEADERSHIP PORTFOLIO UNION STATUS CAMPAIGNS/ACTIVITIES
1. Howick Themba Majozi
CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU Functional -Socialist Forum was Convened
-Local Meetings are SeatingEddy Zondi D. CHAIRPERSON SAMWU
Nomusa Mncube
SECRETARY SAMWU
Hlengiwe Cele TREASURER POPCRU
CO-ORDINATOR
2. Isipingo Nkanyiso Sibiya
CHAIRPERSON POPCRU Functional -Local Meetings are Seating
Freedom Njapha
D. CHAIRPERSON LIMUSA
Bheki Shezi SECRETARY NEHAWU
TREASURER
CO-ORDINATOR
3. Kokstad Patrick Ncumata
CHAIRPERSON POPCRU Functional -Local Meetings are Seating
-Hosted May Day 2018
Bongani Dube D. CHAIRPERSON SAMWU
Phethelwa Bhaka
SECRETARY SADTU
Philiso Mhlakwana
TREASURER NEHAWU
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CO-ORDINATOR
4. Kwa-Dukuza Buhle Khuzwayo
CHAIRPERSON SADTU Functional -They Convened Listening Campaigns
Nkosinathi Mbonambi
D. CHAIRPERSON POPRCU
Sibusiso Mhlongo
SECRETARY SAMWU
Khido Mzimela TREASURER SAMWU
CO-ORDINATOR
5. Manguzi CHAIRPERSON Functional -They Convened Listening Campaign
-March Against Crime
-Hosted May Day in 2018
December Tembe
D. CHAIRPERSON SACCAWU
Zebillon Mothema
SECRETARY SADTU
Gugu Tembe TREASURER SADTU
CO-ORDINATOR
6. Melmoth Vuyo Mthalane CHAIRPERSON SADTU Functional -They Defended 72 Members Against Dismissal
Maude Majozi D. CHAIRPERSON DENOSA
Qaphelani Ngcobo
SECRETARY NEHAWU
Zama Shezi TREASURER SAMWU
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CO-ORDINATOR
7. Mhlathuze Lindani Hadebe
CHAIRPERSON SADTU Functional -Hosted May Day in 2017
-March Against Racism and Victimisation Workers
-Local Sports Day in Build Unity of COSATU
-The Local was re-launched on the 08th March 2018
Mabona Nyawo
D. CHAIRPERSON POPCRU
Linda Mashaba SECRETARY NEHAWU
Xolly Mathenjwa
TREASURER SADTU
CO-ORDINATOR
8. Mnambithi Templeton Ngubane
CHAIRPERSON SATAWU Functional -March Against Exploitation of Workers
-Local Meetings are Sitting
Sthembiso Vezi
D. CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU
Zakhele Myende
SECRETARY SADTU
Nokuthula Dubazane
TREASURER SACTWU
CO-ORDINATOR
9. Ndwedwe Templeton Ngubane
CHAIRPERSON SATAWU Functional -Hosted Imbizo Against the Exploitation of Farm
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Workers
Sthembiso Vezi
D. CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU
Zakhele Myende
SECRETARY SADTU
Nokuthula Dubazane
TREASURER SACTWU
CO-ORDINATOR
10. Newcastle Mandla Mashinini
CHAIRPERSON PAWUSA Functional -Hosted a Listening Campaign
-Local Meetings was conducted on the 22nd April 2017
-The Local has been Re-launched on the 21st March 2018
-March on Decent Work
Thanda Rashulane
D. CHAIRPERSON SACTWU
Nkosinathi Mazibuko
SECRETARY POPCRU
Zanele Msimango
TREASURER SADTU
Thokozani Kubheka
CO-ORDINATOR SATAWU
11. Pinetown Rnnie CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU Functional -Socialist Forums are
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Phakathi Sitting
-March Against the Dismissal of Workers in Rainbow Chickens
-Picket at Spar in Defence of Workers
-Local Meetings are Sitting
-The Local was re-launched on the 23rd February 2018
Octavia Malinga
D. CHAIRPERSON CEPPWAWU
Xolani Dube SECRETARY SAMWU
Mpume Sithole TREASURER SADTU
CO-ORDINATOR
12. Pietermaritzburg
Nkululeko Maphanga
CHAIRPERSON SAMWU Functional -March Against the Dismissal at Msunduzi Municipality
-Joint March with SACP, MKVA & SANCO Against Corruption
-Picket at the Office of the Premier in Demand of Responses of COSATU Memorandum
-Local Meetings are Sitting
-Local has been Re-launched (20/03/2018)
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-Picket at Food Lovers Market in Solidarity with Workers in JHB
Petros Dlamini D. CHAIRPERSON SATAWU
Themba Magwaza
SECRETARY NEHAWU
Queen Nkabini TREASURER POPCRU
CO-ORDINATOR
13. Portshepstone CHAIRPERSON Functional -Picket at Wimpy in Margate Against Abuse of Workers and Poor Conditions of Work
-Picket at Tollgate Against the E-tolling and Expensive & Shesha Lane Tollgate
-Local Meeting are Sitting
Zodwa Mzindle
D. CHAIRPERSON SACCAWU
SECRETARY
Duduzile Msomi
TREASURER SADTU
CO-ORDINATOR
14. Umzimkhulu Mganu Mdunge
CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU Functional -March Against Corruption
-Local Meetings are Sitting
-They Convened a Listening
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Campaign
Sibusisiwe Mqhekeza
D. CHAIRPERSON SAMWU
Gugulethu Mavuna
SECRETARY NEHAWU
Samuel Langa TREASURER SACCAWU
Nkosinathi Nkonyana
CO-ORDINATOR SAMWU
15. Vryheid Sfiso Zwane CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU Functional -March Against Racism in the Workplace
-The Local has been Re-launched in (2017)
-Local Meeting are Sitting
Khwezi Madide
D. CHAIRPERSON POPCRU
Jimmy Zwane SECRETARY SADTU
Sfiso Zulu TREASURER SASBO
CO-ORDINATOR
16. Nquthu Fana Mthembu CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU Functional -Local Meetings are Sitting
-March Against the Abuse of Learners ins Schools.
-March Against Exploitation of Workers in Retail Stores
-They Hosted a Very Successful May Day Celebration.
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Bongani Msezane
D. CHAIRPERSON POPCRU
Busisiwe Nkosi
SECRETARY POPCRU
Mtsekiseng Molife
TREASURER
CO-ORDINATOR
17. Harding Pat Shurley CHAIRPERSON NEHAWU Dysfunctional -Locals Meetings are not Sitting
-No Consistent Programmes of Local
Mpumelelo Mnteshana
D. CHAIRPERSON SADTU
Pat Shebi SECRETARY SADTU
Cedrick Jackson
TREASURER NEHAWU
CO-ORDINATOR
18. Ixopo Bradley Dlulisa
CHAIRPERSON POPCRU Functional -March Against Xenophobia
-Local Meetings are Sitting
-Socialist Forum was Convened
Zamekile Sodzaba
D. CHAIRPERSON SADTU
Nosipho Dlamini
SECRETARY SADTU
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Themba Memela
TREASURER SAMWU
Nhlanhla Makhanya
CO-ORDINATOR SAMWU
19. Mshwathi Nodumo Ngcobo
CHAIRPERSON SADTU Dysfunctional -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-Picket Against Racism in Farmers
-Campaign on Free Education and Right to Learn
Percy Majola D. CHAIRPERSON SAMWU
Ayanda Zulu SECRETARY NEHAWU
TREASURER
CO-ORDINATOR
20. Dannhauser Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-They are no Campaigns and Activities Wedged by the Local
21. Dundee Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns that are Wedged by the Local
22. Pongola Dysfunctional -Local Meetings are not Sitting
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-No Campaigns that are Wedged by the Local
23. Escourt Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns that are Wedged by the Local
24. Bergville Dysfunctional -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns that are Wedged by the Local
25. Mpofana Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns that are Wedged by the Local
26. Richmond Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns that are Wedged by the Local
27. Ingwavuma Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns that are Wedged by this Local
28. Mtubatuba Dysfunctional -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns Wedged by this Local
29. Ulundi Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not
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Sitting
-No Campaigns Wedged by this Local
30. Inkandla Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns Wedged by this Local
31. Eshowe Need re-launch -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns Wedged by this Local
32. Maphumulo Need Re-launch
-Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns Wedged by this Local
33. Mandeni Sphele Khuzwayo
CHAIRPERSON Functional, but need re-launch, since leadership is no longer in full.
-March Against the Abuse of Workers at Isithebe
-Local Meetings are Sitting
-Convene a Listening Campaigns which was a success.
Sifiso Gcabashe
SECRETARY
Andile Gwala D/CHAIR
Phumzile Sibiya
TREASURER
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34. Umzinto Xolani Shinga CHAIRPERSON SAMWU Was functional but need re-launch, since there is no leadership in place.
-Local Meetings are Sitting
-March Against Corruptions at Mdoni Municipality
-Campaign to Assist Workers of Bakery
Xolani Shinga SECRETARY SAMWU
35.Nongoma Not launched -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns Wedged by this Local
36. Dumbe Nkosinathi Nkabinde
CHAIRPERSON SADTU Dysfunctional -Local Meetings are not Sitting
D. CHAIRPERSON
Sipho Dlamini SECRETARY SADTU
Thembelihle Mkhonza
TREASURER CEPPWAWU
Zandile Mbokazi
CO-ORDINATOR NEHAWU
37.Durban Central Mlondi Manzini
CHAIRPERSON SAMWU Need revival -Local Meetings are not Sitting
-No Campaigns
Harry Ngubo D. CHAIRPERSON CEPPWAWU
Sboniso Nkomode
SECRETARY SACTWU
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Models need to be developed to provide resources to our Local Structures to make them more effective and efficient.Our unions to come up with methods for accountability by shop stewards on their participation in activities of COSATU
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4. State of affiliates in the province
A lot has happened in our Affiliates under the review period, ranging from leadership change to union instability etc. However, we must appreciate the leadership of our unions for the commitment and dedication they continue to show in terms taking worker issues forward. We say this being very much mindful that there has been lot of hiccups and contradictions in terms of our work, but we are of the view and very optimistic that there is a great room of improvement and COSATU is on the rise again in this Province of KwaZulu Natal.
Our Affiliated unions continue to be troubled by many daily challenges and these have a negative impact on COSATU and the strength of our unions, as it is without any shadow of doubt that problems of our unions are problems of COSATU.
These challenges faced by our unions manifested themselves in many different ways, some of our union leaders migrated to other deployments, changes have also came as a result of union Congress processes and part of these changes have also occurred through the intra-struggles within our unions where some leaders being removed through suspension and expulsion from their unions.
COSATU has always advocated for unity and stability within our Affiliates, though this is not an easy task, since the leadership of the Federation at times is labeled as being biased when it plays its conciliatory role in the unions. The POB have always taken a stance to work together and support the leadership that is holding the office at a particular time as part of respecting internal processes of the unions. However, there are times where COSATU would feel that some Affiliates are themselves in violation of their Constitution in terms of dealing with comrades, what has been a serious problem for COSATU is its capacity and powers the Federation has to call its Affiliates to order. In this way, COSATU relies on persuasion as its intervenes in its Affiliates, with very limited powers to enforce its authority over the unions. This is an old issue, which is becoming a problem in the kind of challenges we continue as a Federation.
4.1. Affiliates in the Province
COSATU has the following Affiliates: CEPPWAWU, CWU, DENOSA, LIMUSA, NEHAWU, NUM, PAWUSA, POPCRU, SACCAWU, SADTU, SACTWU, SADTU, SAEPU, SAMA, SAMWU, and SASBO & SATAWU, which consists of 16 Affiliates.
The activism of Affiliates in COSATU structural meetings, campaigns and other activities vary, with some unions being more consistence than others.
o CEPPWAWU – The union is active in COSATU activities and the leadership do prioritize the work of COSATU. As part of taking forward the 12 th Congress resolution on assisting weakened unions, a meeting was convened between the POBs of COSATU and the union POBs to understand the challenges the union is facing. The union reported to be fairly stable at the level of the Province, however there were many problems caused by instability at the National level. These impacted very badly provincially and affected union administration and servicing of membership, since comrades were no longer provided with resources and budget to enable them to do the work of the union. COSATU in the Province has done lot of intervention on request by the
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union i.e. linking the union with other unions, workplace visits in Cato Ridge, Evowood, the first term of 2016, Howick etc.
o CWU – The union is active and participates in the activities of COSATU, the challenge the union continues to face is in terms of membership growth. The meeting between COSATU Provincial leadership and CWU Provincial leadership was convened on 5th August 2016, and the issue of the membership growth was prioritized. The meeting also discussed the SABC issue that seemed to cause commotion between the union and the SACP and the feeling was that COSATU would continue provide leadership on the matter. The union reported to have stability, except the issue of the Provincial Office space which was a problem, which the union has managed to resolve this one. It was also resolved that the union must develop a Programme of recruitment, focusing mostly on the recruitment of the Call Centres and many journalists who remain non-union members. COSATU has attended the activities of the unions i.e. marches and the Congress the union had last year.
o DENOSA – Attempts were made to meet the union after its participation in COSATU had declined. However, it can be proudly reported that the leadership of the union is now taking the union’s activism in COSATU serious, and of late we have noticed a great improvement in terms of DENOSA’s participation in the Federation. The incoming leadership must be tasked to continue forge close working relations with the union as a way of cementing the good work already under way.
o LIMUSA – The union is highly active in COSATU and work well with COSATU in the Province, however, the union needs more resources to be able to meet the demands of its members. COSATU has intervened to assist the union i.e. in the internal matter in TOYOTA BOSHOKU, the strike in TOYOTA TUSHO, linking the union with other unions for assistance, in recruitment, and provision of meeting space for its General meetings.
o NEHAWU – The union is very instrumental in the work of the Federation, always provided support in the Federation, including the release of its officials to assist in COSATU, and is also highly active in the activities of COSATU and has taken up many campaigns affecting its members. COSATU in the Province has attended the activities of the union, pickets, marches, lectures and meetings of the PEC and Political Commissions through the invitation, which the union always did. However, still a lot more to be done by the union since many of its members who mostly are state employees troubled by many challenges ranging from, victimization, outsourcing, privatization etc., including the recruitment of workers employed by NGOs. The union also had its Congress in 2015. COSATU also intervened during the change in leadership of government where many workers service were terminated.
o NUM – The union had its Congress in 2017 where the current leadership was elected. The union is active in COSATU campaigns and Programs, also attends the meeting of the Federation. COSATU is involved in the activities of the
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union, has addressed many platforms of the union, including the Provincial march, Provincial Councils and has intervened when called to do so. Workers have been recruited to the union, especially from the Construction.
o PAWUSA – The union is active in COSATU and the relations continue to be good. For a number of times, the union has invited COSATU to intervene in its daily challenges and this continues to cement the working relations.
o POPCRU – The union is active in COSATU and continues to conduct workplace
visits and general meetings. COSATU has also engaged with the union through its Political Schools and Provincial Shop Stewards Council.
o SACCAWU – Working relationship is sound between COSATU and the union; the leadership continue to attend to worker issues across the Locals in the Province. COSATU met the leadership of the union to understand challenges faced by the union. In this discussion, the union reported to be fairly stable despite challenges post the previous Congress which the National was intervening. The union held a very successful Congress in 2017. COSATU has engaged in the union’s activities i.e. in Boxer issue of the protest ultimately the conversion of temps from Labour Brokers, recruitment of workers into the union, intervention in Cato Ridge wildcat strike in protecting workers who were affected by the strike, joint picket at Cambridge Durban.
o SACTWU – The union continues to commits itself to the work of COSATU, the union has also provided material support in our previous Congress, the printing of Posters and Pamphlets for our march. The Union had its Congress in 2016, and COSATU continue to engage with the union in different platforms i.e. Provincial Councils and other activities. COSATU intervened in the Isithebe community wildcat strike that affected most factories, SACTWU being the main, and together with the leadership the Federation at a political level formed part of the Program to resuscitate the industry. On recruitment, the Federation has linked sectors that were organized by FAWU with the union.
o SADTU – The union continues to show high level of commitment to the Federation in the Province. The union also provides support to COSATU i.e. for meeting space and material support to the Federation to hold meetings. The union continues to do its work through a number of visible Programs on the ground i.e. the Listening Campaign held early last year, memorial lectures in branches and those that were related to the name change of its Regional Structures, the sporting events, branch induction and marches, including one the most successful march of October 2017. COSATU has always participated in these events.
o SAEPU - This is the new union of COSATU, organizing in the Emergency Services. The leadership is already engaging with the Province and the union is now active in the activities of COSATU. However, the issue of the Office space and tool of trade for comrades to be able to do their work remain a challenge.
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o SAMA - We can proudly report that SAMA is now fully active in the Provincial activities; this was after a meeting between the union leadership and COSATU which took place at the Durban union offices. Comrades are showing high level of commitment to the work of COSATU. The challenge however, is the manner in which the union is structured, which is Regions that are three Coastal Branch, Midlands Branch and KZN Northern Branch, without a Provincial Structure that can serve as a centre of coordination.
o SAMWU – In our PECs it became clear that SAMWU in the Province was having serious problems of parallel structures, which put COSATU in serious dilemma to resolve. The PEC found it difficult to decide for the union since both groups claimed legitimacy. This was after the Provincial Structure was disbanded by the National union, and many comrades, especially those that were in leadership expelled by the union. On the other side comrades were claiming that the matters were before the court of law to decide and that their disbandment ultimately suspension was un-procedural. The PEC decided to encourage the union to resolve its differences while observing the Intervention process of the CEC, and again for work purpose COSATU POBs found it proper that all communications are done with the Provincial Office of the union. Both groups in the Province showed positive attitudes to COSATU, and even through affirmation that they see COSATU as their only home. COSATU POBs convened the meetings with both groups, individually and what transpired to be problem was to bring comrades together. A meeting was convened again with both sides, and comrades who were holding office indicated that the case had been concluded, and therefore the meeting was not necessary. But this initiative came at the time when there was a letter by the General Secretary of the union threatening to interdict the Federation if it continues to meet its structures, though comrades were positive to engage with COSATU. Issues of Logistic also became an issue when the Program of COSATU to SAMWU PSSC came-up. However, the union participates actively in the programmes of COSATU and continue to provide support to the Federation where feasible. COSATU attended the General meeting of SAMWU in Msunduzi, also intervened in Ugu strike for Group Life and the recent strike against non-payment of workers overtime, COSATU is also currently intervening in the Msunduzi matter where around 1000 workers were terminated their services in what we viewed as political interference.
o SASBO – The challenge of poor participation in COSATU Programs and meetings still persist, but based on our knowledge the union is not hostile to COSATU, working relations with the union remains good. The recent engagements with the National leadership have brought hope about the future activism of the union, since they addressed issues of coordination and communication channels.
o SATAWU – There have been serious problems in the union after the leadership was suspended and the Provincial structure was disbanded. All this happened with no communication with the Provincial Office of COSATU and COSATU Province was found wanting about the challenges facing the union. At the same time the Federation was faced with volume of workers
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who approached COSATU individually or as groups seeking guidance in terms since membership service to membership was compromised. SATAWU National Office furnished the Provincial Office of COSATU with the letter confirming the Coordinating Structure of the Union. This brought some light to COSATU Province. SATAWU held a successful Special Provincial Congress which elected new leadership in 2017. COSATU POBs convened a successful meeting with new SATAWU POBs to raise concerns about what seemed to be challenges in the union, and to engage the union leadership on the kind assistance it would require from COSATU. The union is now in the phase where it is trying to fully recover from those challenges. COSATU Province continues to work closely with the union. There is also a need for the union to improve on servicing of membership since the majority members of the union are vulnerable. SATAWU is active in the work of the Federation and the union leadership takes the work of COSATU serious.
We cannot build strong COSATU when our unions are weakened by internal squabbles and infightings, and lack of membership growth and service.
It is an unfortunate fact that due to these challenges facing our unions, the administration of unions is compromised leading to membership service and important campaigns of those unions frustrated; some unions are even unable to convene their structural meetings.
What is even worse is that many problems our Affiliates face in the Province are challenges that are beyond our reproach since they have a national character. The problems faced by our unions such as SAMWU, CEPPWAWU and SATAWU are national in nature but badly affect the operations of the Provincial structures. This is in no attempts to say our unions are not facing their our internal challenges Provincially, but the ones that are nationally are difficult to resolve as compared to Provincial ones, in the Province have sound relations with the Provincial Structures of her Affiliates.
Education and Training or cadre development through political and ideological training is undermined due to the instability in some of our unions. This should be one critical area of focus, building of a class conscious cadre, since without this, the commitment to “mobilizing, uniting and building militant COSATU to advance the course of the National Democratic Revolution” can only end become wishful list.
In period under review we have also observe lack of full dedication to the work of COSATU by some unions and leadership. Many factors contributing to the weakening of locals of COSATU and other structures of the Federation are a reflection of the lack of dedication in the building of COSATU. So the point of entry in uniting and building strong COSATU should also talk to taking COSATU work serious.
Unions must make use of the campaigns and programs of the Federation to recruit membership and ensure servicing, these programs were engaged with our Affiliates i.e. the “Back to Basics Campaign” which is about developing Programs to engage direct with membership through workplace visits and general meetings, the “Building of COSATU Engines” which is about the galvanizing of structures of COSATU and Affiliates, ready to launch an offensive in given time against the enemies of the workers etc.
Some of the key pillars for our unions moving forward
All being said above, our unions have huge task to improve their Administrative status to ensure efficient and effective servicing of membership.
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Recruitment drive as mentioned previously must be prioritized by all our unions especially the unions whose membership remain relatively low.
Cooperation with COSATU and increasing union work in COSATU will also provide grounds for our unions to grow.
Our Affiliates have responsibility to eliminate elements of infighting which destruct real the union from engaging on real work.
Political and Ideological Training, including Basic Training of Shop Stewards must be prioritized.
4.2. Work Done to Revive & Build COSATU Unions
Under the review period two unions disaffiliated from COSATU i.e. FAWU and SASAWU.
The departure of FAWU with the membership of just above 15 000 in the Province was unfortunate, especially being one of the oldest unions in COSATU which was critical for its sectors, which is predominately vulnerable, being food sector, hospitality and farm workers. This showed COSATU how much challenge of political and ideological challenge some of our unions are facing at the level of leadership. In line with our commitment of One Sector – One Union, COSATU must strive to unapologetically work very hard to ensure that workers in these vulnerable sectors, who are already flooding our offices, are recruited into unions of COSATU, our Local Structures are also charged with this responsibility.
Since the departure of FAWU from COSATU, there is now a new union in the food sector, AFADWU, which itself is not a union of COSATU. While we are watching a space with regard to this latest development but the Province continues to implement the decision of the CEC to link workers from this sector with the unions of COSATU whose scope extends to this sector.
Much as it can be said, that there is little impact about the departure of SASAWU, with just a membership of around 800, but a “loss of one member is a great loss”. Fortunately, for COSATU there are unions that can cover the scope in which SASAWU was operating, and we can only push these unions, such as NEHAWU and others whose scope extends to this sector, to prioritize recruiting those members into COSATU unions.
The Province did not have an active SAFPU but it’s evaporation from COSATU is also a challenge; especially it questions our capacity to build and grow new unions as COSATU, a task to be attended through a clear Program of Action.
CWUSA – Attempts are being made to revive this critical union of COSATU in the creative industry. Several meetings are being held at COSATU, and in the last meeting a Programme of Action was agreed upon. The union leadership have consulted the Provincial Structure of the Federation on a number occasions fro leadership, including the Summit which they coordinated jointly with the Department of Arts and Culture, the marches they had in the Province in defense and advancing the rights of creative workers. In all these they have involved the Federation. The challenge is that the union seems to be only active at this Province; hence they have called to COSATU in the revival of the Structures of the union, a work which is under way.
SADSAWU – This is our union responsible for organizing the domestic workers. The union is weakened by a number factors, ranging from non-existence of structures, no office space, lack of capacity to mobilize domestic workers, and sect oral challenges
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enabling the union administration to function properly such as lack of mechanism to collect affiliation fees.
COSATU has convened a number of gatherings for domestic workers; some were done jointly with the Head Office and some with government. And more efforts are being put revive the structure of the union as part of protecting workers from the most vulnerable sectors.
The Province has been working very closely with Crèche workers, several meetings have been held between the Province, our PMB Local and these workers. We have attended to their sectoral challenges with the Department of Social Development, the work we continue to do. The workers in Crèches being troubled by many challenges, have found it difficult to relate their struggles with some of our unions that are operating in this sector, since some of these workers are volunteers and casual. As a result of this they have advocated for their own union, SACWU and they have brought it to the attention of COSATU in the Province.
4.3. Affiliates’ Workplace visits
Listening Campaigns were done in our Locals in 2016, as part of closing social distance between COSATU & workers, to identify unorganized workers and to improve service of members by Unions, and to address challenges arising from the New Tax/Pension Fund Law and any other issues that are affecting our members.
Through this Programme, though poor attendance and non-availability of leadership in some, but as COSATU we had an opportunity to interface with the members from different Affiliates, that offered an opportunity to hear from members how their Affiliates were servicing them as their members.
Unions have conducted their workplace visit, and COSATU in the Province managed to form part of some of these workplace visits, and to mention a few these include i.e. CEPPWAWU, SACCAWU, SAMWU, SATAWU, SACTWU, NEHAWU and SADTU.
4.4. Unity in the affiliatesThe Unions in the Province do face own internal contradictions, but up to this far the leadership is amenable to deal with these internal challenges. In our bilateral engagement with the unions in the Province it transpired that the Provincial leadership was doing its best to maintain unity and stability within their structures.However, it will take time and more effort for SATAWU, CEPPWAWU and SAMWU to recover from the challenges of instability which also had national dynamics.
5. Existence of Gender and Young Workers Structures5.1. Gender
The Provincial Gender Structure was re-launched on 13th May 2016 at the LAVITA Conference Centre. This launch was addressed by the Chairperson, Comrade Beauty Zibula. In attendance was also the 2nd Deputy President of COSATU, Comrade Zingiswa Losi who addressed the Conference, Comrade Gettie our COSATU Gender Officer was also present to officiate the launching of Provincial Gender Structure.
The gender structure has been involved in a number of campaigns and activities that are related to our class struggle for women emancipation. The Gender structure is still intact and working as a collective able to implement the programmes of the Federation. The
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constant communication and meetings are taking place and in all Gender Structure meetings the POB’s are always available and it is appreciated by this structure.
Under the review period the report of the gender structure was presented under the dark cloud in our province where women and children abuse is rife. We are further experiencing a number of murder cases, assault cases, rapes and feticides case. It was along those bases that a structure marched against violence directed to women and children.
On the 23rd – 25th June 2017 the Progressive Women Movement is South Africa (PWMSA convene a national meeting in Johannesburg where KZN made a proposal that this structure must be launched in provinces and progressive resolutions were taken on Gender Based Violence, Peace and Security, Education and Skills Revolution and Economic Inclusion and Women Empowerment.
The campaign that was wedged by this structure is when they picket on the 23 rd June 2017 in the offices of Human Rights Commission in crating the awareness regarding the women and children abuse and the abduction of young girls. The Deputy Chairperson and Secretary of the structure attended the International Political School of COSATU as part of intensifying the Gender Struggle in the context of the Class Struggle in the Internationalism outlook as a global struggle. The NUM convened their women structure conference on the 12th -13th August 2017 under the Theme “Women Emancipation Stop Girl Child Abuse” and the Gender Structure Secretary was deployed to give message of support on behalf of COSATU.
5.2. Formation of the Young Workers Sub-Structure
Under the review period we want to report to the congress that COSATU has resolved to build its youth structures, but for a very long time this resolution could not find expression within the structures of the Federation.
On 14 March 2018 the Province eventually launched its Young Workers Structure, only the following Affiliates have representation in the Young Workers, since other Affiliates were unable to send representatives to the launch: SAMWU, SACTWU, SADTU, NUM, NEHAWU, SACCAWU, LIMUSA and SAMA, the meeting resolved to on the following comrades to lead the Interim Committee of the Young Workers, S’boniso Nkomonde from SACTWU (Convenor), Memory Maphanga SADTU (Coordinator), Siyabonga Nkontwane NEHAWU (Alternate Convenor) and Siyabonga Mkhize from NUM (Alternate Coordinator)
6. Some of the Key Campaigns
6.1. Working with DOL & CCMA
Stake holders meetings are held with DOL & CCMA, these are meetings where the information about Programmes is shared but also emphasizing on the need for our unions to make use of Labour Centres in their Localities and to raise workers concerns about behaviours of the officials from these Institutions. They are also used to further engage on the rollout inspection Programme for identified areas, targeting different Sectors, prioritizing the most vulnerable sectors.
6.2. Listening Campaign
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As part of closing social distance between COSATU & workers, to identify unorganized workers and to improve service of members by Unions, and to address challenges arising from the New Tax/Pension Fund Law and any other issues that are affecting our members. The 12th Provincial Congress took a resolution that all structures of COSATU must convened listening campaigns as part of servicing members and recruitment Programme. However, these visits have been a success to some Locals and have afforded COSATU with an opportunity to interface with the members from different Affiliates to understand i.e. how their Affiliates services its members.
6.3. International Decent Work, 7TH October Section 77
October 7th is an International Decent Work Day, and COSATU has declared 7 th of October 2016 as the National day of Industrial action through the application of Section 77 to advance our campaign against E -Tolls and Quality Public Transport system.
In 2016 our protests was also used to advance the following campaigns: Total Ban of Labour Brokers, Fight to protect our Jobs, Fight for National Minimum Wage (NMW), Fight to protect our Collective Agreements, Fight for Occupational Health & Safety Standards in all workplaces, Fight for National Health Insurance (NHI), Fight for the scrapping of the Taxation Amendment Law, Demand for Free Education, Demand for Public Service Workers included of the Housing Scheme, Government Employees Pension Fund, Border Management Authority, Formalization of Grade R Teachers, Review of Post Provisioning Model to transform education and sanitation in all our schools.
The unions of COSATU were tasked to mobilize workers in their numbers across the Province for a successful protest action. As COSATU in KZN we must be worried about the continued lack by our union leadership to take the work of unions and that of COSATU of mobilizing workers serious. The decent work Protests of the 7 th of October was a clear indication of the failure by our unions to mobilize members. We say this because while we regard the protests as a success but we are not convinced numbers signaled the COSATU we are known to be as militant and radical.
KZN Province Section 77 of 2016, 7th October coincided with the WFTU International Conference, and for this reason KZN Province had its march on the 8 th October. The march was done jointly with the WFTU closing event which took a form of a march and a rally as per the guidance of the August CEC discussions. The march and rally were also used as part of the extension of the 7th October Programme of action, since it was COSATU led campaign where all the unions were mobilized to participate.
The march and the rally was a success, with an estimated attendance of about 5000. However, the huge challenge was the lack by some Affiliates to properly mobilize workers and failure to provide transport for members. Both the march and rally was attended by the leadership of COSATU, its Unions, SANCO and the South African Communist Party both from Provincial and National level.
Part of the significant activities of the event was the unveiling of COSATU monument at the Curries Fountain Stadium, which is built in honour of COSATU for its hard work in taking forward the right of workers, and its commitment and dedication in leading the struggle of workers. In terms of the 7th of October National Strike, KZN decentralized its activities to Pickets in different Locals which were a success.
The Province continues to observe the 7th of October as an International Day for Decent Work.
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6.4. Recruitment Drive Campaign
Recruitment is the backbone of the existence of any trade union, what is the main worry is the lack of strategies and plans from our unions to understand this critical pillar of the struggle of unions, and the failure to produce smart ways and strategies of recruiting members into unions.KZN Province came up with the concept of Red Fridays; a day which is was fully devoted as COSATU Day where all COSATU Locals were tasked to implement. The purpose is to bring leadership closer to workers, ensure COSATU visibility, recruitment of workers into unions and assure membership service. This Programme prioritizes the most vulnerable sectors and some of our Locals have started running with it i.e. Pinetown Local which has used the day to target workers at the Bet Centres and have recruited them into unions.
Under the review period the campaign of recruitment was requested from Affiliates, some unions i.e. LIMUSA have submitted their recruitment plan. There is also a visible growth to some of our affiliated unions, but the pace of recruitment in most of unions is not a pleasing one.
There was also a need to target all vulnerable Sectors for recruitment of workers and May Day was to be used to recruit members in COSATU unions.
Much as some Affiliates may be missing in the graphs, but the following analysis remains the same:
From 2012 NUMSA disaffiliated from COSATU with a membership of 49 769 in Province, SAFPU vanished with 91, and SADNU also disappeared with 1540 membership and in 2015 FAWU left with membership 15 541 and SASAWU with membership of 601. This means, COSATU in the Province lost of 67 542 through the departure of these unions.
If the above unions had not left COSATU, the membership of COSATU would have been about 353 016 in the Province, considering their membership remained unchanged, in analyzing this from 2012 it is clear that our Affiliates in the Province have registered a growth of about 7 649 from 2012 to date, which is fairly low considering a number of workers who are un-unionized.
It tells us that our membership is gradually growing, albeit not at a pleasing pace but it is a sign that COSATU is capable to regain a loss ground in terms unions that have disaffiliated.
Our unions still have a great opportunity to improve their membership if the following is done:
Our Affiliates working together with the Province of COSATU and Locals must continue find strategies and develop aggressive programs for membership recruitment, primarily targeting many workers who are not organized in any unions, and those in unions that are not under COSATU.
Part of the above strategies should talk to how best we can build very strong LIMUSA, as a recovery strategy.
But it must further address how best we can retain and recruit more workers from the food sector.
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Growing of the small unions of COSATU through our Locals working together with the Provincial Structures
Building of strong industrial unions remains a key goal for the Federation and an appropriate strategy must be developed for this purpose.
As per our call to unions, identify companies that are unorganized and indicate the total workforce in the sector, the number of workers who are members of the union and those that are in other unions and workers who are not members of any unions. Target all vulnerable Sectors for recruitment and use campaigns such as May Day and others to recruit members into COSATU unions.
However our Locals continue to recruit members to our unions, prioritizing Industrial unions and many of our Locals have successfully done this task, unions that have benefited are, SACCAWU, SATAWU, CEPPWAU and LIMUSA. And this work is commended.
COSATU also continue to link many vulnerable workers who flock COSATU Office for help to the unions, where they get recruited as members.6.5. Campaign on Against Labour Broker
Under the review period a meeting with department of labour was convened and it was clear that the Labour Law Amendments did not change status quo on Labour Brokers. It was resolved that unions and Locals were urged to take up the campaign against non-complying companies. We further intensified the campaign against outsourcing that driven together with NEHAWU on Public Health and Universities.
6.6. COSATU/SACP Peoples’ Joint March
This march was a mother of all marches done jointly with the SACP to tackle socio economic issues facing our country, it was estimated to have pulled around 100 000 and it was a joint effort between COSATU and the SACP as indicated.
The purpose of the march was to fight against Labour Brokers, deepen Socio-economic issues in favour of the poor masses, advance the struggle for National Minimum Wage, defend workers’ pensions etc. COSATU was entrusted with the mobilization of workers through posters focusing at the workplace, general meetings, blitzing etc. The transport was being organized, mostly by the party and Affiliates were asked to organize transport for workers, and trains were being organized to pick up people from different areas.
There was a time space of one week between the People’s march and the May Day, but resolve that COSATU must work hard to ensure the success of both events.
What remains, is what next in terms of taking the demands of the peoples’ march forward and this should be an ongoing project of COSATU/SACP.
6.7. E-Tolling System and the Expensive Tollgates in the Province
Under the review period we want to report to the congress that we are continuing with our action to fight against E-Tolls, expensive Tollgates and against Shesha Lanes. On the 07th April 2016 the Provincial Picket at the Marian Hill Tollgate put the whole National Highway on the stand still for more than three hours. Subsequently our Locals were encouraged to do likewise in their Localities, and Port Shepstone and Mandeni Pickets did take place as successfully.
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COSATU in the Province also demanded through the Economic Council engagements with SANRAL which happened.
These activities have led to the bilateral engagements between COSATU POBs and both SANRAL Province and Head Office. This bilateral was preceded with the engagement between these SANRAL Offices and PEC of COSATU, where COSATU stance against Shesha Lanes, E-Tolling System and Expensive Tollgates was advanced with the Road Agency.
6.8. Fight Against the New Taxation Law
The victory of COSATU in KZN Province on Tax Law Amendment was to be applauded, since there was a two postponement and the agreement to consider workers voice on the matter. All our general meetings were used to mobilize members against the imposition of Tax Law Amendments and demand the inclusion of workers in the process.
As COSATU need to conduct a study on how this was going to affect workers in terms of Provident Fund versus Pension Fund. The Affiliates and COSATU Provincial Office have to develop an ongoing program against the new tax law amendments.
6.9. Section 77 Strike Against State Capture & CorruptionOur Stay away Against State Capture and Corruption, Job loses and Unemployment, pulled around 20 000 people and was regarded as one of the biggest in the country. However it must be mentioned that our numbers could have been far more than what we pulled, but some of our comrades decided to politisize this campaign, in line with the factions of our movement.
6.10. National Minimum Wage
Under the review period COSATU has been playing a leading role in mobilizing workers to attend Public hearing on National Minimum Wage. The PECs were used as campaigning structure through resolving to hold Provincial Workshop on the National Minimum Wage which was a success.COSATU increased its communication and information sharing on Minimum Wage and also working with DOL in getting more information. The unions included the National Minimum Wage item in their General meetings to appraise workers on the work of COSATU which at the end it became a success since it has been signed into Law.
6.11. Racism at the Workplace
Under the review period there were discussions with the Human Rights Commission on this campaign on racism at the workplace. The unions submit cases of racism at the workplace to COSATU Office with details of companies and individual members affected and the march that was submitted to Human Rights Commission and the issues submitted by the Affiliates on Racism at Workplace find the expression to the memorandum.
6.12. Socio- Economic Protest at KwaSithebe
The joint program was necessary among the following unions SACTWU, SADTU, CEPPWAWU, NEHAWU, and SATAWU to deal with Isithebe after the public revolt that
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left factories burnt down and thousands of workers unemployed. The Role played by COSATU during the uprising at Isithebe was commended by the Affiliates.The Affiliates further supported the idea of going back to Mandeni to show a support to the affected workers and work with them through the challenges they faced. There was a need for COSATU to organize a march at Isithebe area and call for the commission of enquiry on the rationale behind the burning of factories and infrastructure that left workers unemployed. COSATU will continue to facilitate engagements with the Alliance, business and government with a view to finding the lasting solution to the matter which was characterized by political dynamics under the disguise of socio economic issues.
6.13. Social Grants
Social grants continue to serve as relief system for many South Africans; the Province led the struggle for the protection of social grants against the alleged corruption in CPS. A picket was staged at the Head Quarters of Social Development in Pietermaritzburg.
6.14. Fight Against Women and Child Abuse
Women and children are a daily subject of violent abuse, as COSATU we take this struggle of protection of women and children as one of the critical struggles. COSATU in the Province as indicated earlier protested at the Offices of the Human Rights Commission in the Province demanding harsher sentences for perpetrators and this matter is being attended by the National Office of the Human Rights Commission and other related institutions.
7. Implementation of Political Education Programmes including the Activities of the Chris Hani Brigades.
7.1. Political Schools for Locals & PEC
There has been consistency in the convening of Political Schools in the Province. These Political Schools are attended by the Local Office Bearers and PEC members, and normally pull the maximum of 200 participants. We take these Political Schools as key in the development cadre-ship. In 2014 Political School was held in September at LAVITA Conference Centre. This Political school was held over a period of Five (05) Days, which started with a two (02) days International Political Dynamics and this was followed by a three (03) Days Political School focusing of political developments and policies.
The 2015 Political School was held by the end of November 2015 where it focuses on the International Dynamics. In 2016 the Political School took place on 06 th – 08th April 2016 and focused on the following issues which are National Minimum Wage, Challenges facing Working Class Globally, the Significant of the WFTU in Congress Movement, Challenges Facing Labour Movement in SA, Class Nature and Content of Trade Unions, Service Delivery & Public Protests, What are the Main Courses of these Protests, What are their Class Content and how can they be directed to Challenge the Status Quo in the Economic System as a whole, Threats posed by Rival Unions in Worker Solidarity, The Character of the State and the State Transformation, The Advances we have made to Address the Fundamental Contradictions of the South African Society of Class, Race and Gender as Articulated in the NDR., What Happens in the other Arms of the State such as Security, Judiciary and even Media? The 2nd Radical Phase of Transition, unpacking of the 1st Phase and What have been Achieved, What Should be the Main Focus and Pillars of the Second Phase, Is the Character of the Current South African State Capacitated
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Enough to Drive the 2nd Radical Phase of Transition in Favour of the Poor Masses of this Country? What Should be done to fast-track our Socialist Project? And What Working Class Struggle pursue by COSATU. It further dwell much on the Amendments to the Labour Law Taxation & the Position of Labour, National Minimum Wage, NHI Presentation Marianhill Toll Gate Picketing.
The Provincial Political School was also convened in 2017 on 22 – 24 June 2017. It focused on Labour Law Amendments facilitated by Cde. Bongi Zulu, Current NEDLAC Negotiations on the National Skills Development Plan facilitated by Cde Babsy Nhlapo, Employment Equity Act Amendments, Worker Education, ANC on the Radical Economic Transformation facilitated by Cde. Bheki Mtolo, the Class Analysis of the Radical Economic Transformation facilitated by Commissar Bulelani, The SACP and State Power Debate facilitated by Cde. Themba Mthembu, 2017 COSATU Central Committee Consolidated Resolutions, and The Role of the Revolutionary Trade Unions in the Current Political Context.
Under the review period COSATU Political Schools for Locals and PEC members was a great success and it is important to appreciate the commitment and dedication of our comrades and facilitators. It also critical that we find a strategy of cascading the knowledge equipped to our structures, comrades and workers at large. COSATU KZN is currently working with the SACP to develop a sustained training model which will be used to develop comrades on, Political Economy, Historical Materialism, Dialectical Materialism and Marxist/Leninist ideology. The Affiliates will be required to contribute how best this can be done for it to meet the required objectives.
7.2. Basic Training of Shop Stewards
After a depth assessment of the lack by some of our unions, which is caused by many factors i.e. the scarcity of the resources and capacity to some extent, COSATU in the Province has collaborated with Legal Hero which is the company of consultants for provision of legal services to provide Basic Training to our Shop Stewards.
This is done to equip our shop stewards to be equally competitive, effective and capable to defend workers in technical processes, such as disciplinary hearings at the workplace, CCMA etc.
It teaches them the technical aspect in handling workers cases, procedures and processes for case referrals.
The first training which targeted 200 Shop Stewards was held at SADTU House on 12 th
October 2017, and it dealt with the following areas: Internal Grievance Procedure, External Dispute Resolutions, and Labour Court Processes & Procedure.
It can be confidently said that the workshop was a great success; however we need to encourage all our unions to make use of this provided service.
Further to the above arrangement, Legal Hero has been engaged and committed itself to decentralize this training to also cover our Locals as a way of bringing this service closer to all our shop stewards.
8. Work with the Alliance in the province
ANC/SACP/SANCO
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The relationship with the alliance partners is defined by the moment, but COSATU works well with the alliance partners. Bilateral meetings are held with different Alliance partners, outside the structured meetings of the Political Councils or Alliance Summits or Alliance Secretariat.
9. PYA
COSATU convened a meeting of the PYA at the beginning of 2018 to discuss the “Going Back to School Campaign” and the approach on the challenges of Free Education.
These engagements went well and a joint Programme of action and press statement was issued by all parties.
This was part of an ongoing good relations rather than a once-off engagement, and COSATU relates well with youth structures. However youth structures continue to face many challenges, some of which are a reflection of the political contradictions our society is faced with, emanating largely from the divisions in our own MDM. For this reason some of our PYA is engulfed by elements of divisions and parallel structures to an extent i.e. COSAS which in a way has an effect in the working relations, and this is the area as the Alliance mother-body we need to focus on, as part of building the future of our movement.
4. Western Cape
Cosatu WC summarised report to Cosatu Congress
This report is for the period under review since the last Cosatu National Congress in 2015 and covers the key activities and focus areas of the federation.
Provincial Executive Committee meetings
The 12 Provincial Executive Committee meetings that were held since the last PEC had all qourated. The Programmes for the Province was overseen asd the Finance report endorsed as required by the Constitution.
The Cosatu Joint Shop Stewards Councills had only taken place in the Metro Region and the participation of all the Unions was fair. The campaigns and reports of the Cosatu Central Executive Committee meetings were delivered to all Shop Stewards Present.
Cosatu has 3 Section 77 campaigns that were accompanied by limited mass action programmes. The water campaign focussed on the water shortage in the City of Cape Town and exposed the DA government. The Public Transport campaign had seen extensive Nedlac negptiations and protest at Metro RAIL. The public education section 77 is still alive and has to be processed further.
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Cosatu ran campaigns that exposed the following issues of concern to workers, through protest at Parliament. The Manana abuse issue saw many Shop Stewards attend Parliament and call for the removal of him from Parliament as an MP. The Pension fund preservation issue that saw workers protest at Parliament and attend the sitting. Cosatu Shop Stewards also attended Parliament in support of the Minimum Wage Bill when it was passed. Cosatu also joined other organisations at Protest at Parliament calling fro the removal of President Zuma and in support of the Palestinian people.
Cosatu had worked with the Unions that were experiencing challenges and had provided extensive reports to the HQ of the Unions, who failed or refused to follow up on the challenges. This area of Cosatu work has been compromised by National Leaders who fail to act in congruence of the Constitution, but rather in the factunal lines of the Unions.
The Alliance has been dysfunctional in the last 3 years, with only the occasional meeting being held. The ANC under Zuma had been a disaster in the Province , but is now only getting more focussed and clear in respect of the responsibilities . The SACP has tried to direct elections at the last Cosatu Provincial Congress, which jeopardised relations with many of the Unions. In spite of request for National SACP to intervene, no assistance was forthcoming.
The substructures of the Federation is not functioning as well as it could due to lack of support of certain affiliates. The gender structure is taking up campaigns and having meetings on a number of focus areas. The support from the National Programmes and funding is a constraining factor in the functioning. The e Young Workers structure is not able to convene effective meetings and activities, due to the lack of structures in many of the Affiliates.
The Education programme fro Shop Stewards is progressing well in conjunction with sympathetic NGO, who conduct 2 monthly sessions. The training that is provided to new Shop Stewards is the only one of its kind in the Provinces of Cosatu. This programme needs some support and funding from Cosatu so that it is able to be rolled out nationally, as the lack of tranining in Unions is weakening the Labour Movement.
The staff development training focus of Organisers and administrators are proceeding well with many unions participating. The trouble that should be overcome is that the weakest Unions and weakest Organsiers are not making attendance mandatory. The training focuses on cutting edge organisational, legal and political issues, which organisers need.
The locals are not functioning well at all, over the last 3 years. This is due to the weaknesses in the Affiliates in those rural areas, as well as the weaknesses of Cosatu in coordinating the sessions. There is a need to prioritise the locals and to set aside funds to support their meetings. The Cosatu locals are often the only support that workers in the rural areas have in the face of a vicious onslaught from the bosses.
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5. Free State
Introduction
The report to the Central Committee would try to cover the period since the National Congress to date to enable the NC to evaluate how far we have gone in implementing the decisions and the Resolutions of the National Congress and also evaluate how are we doing in terms to dealing with issues that are closer to the hearts of our members.
The period under review has been characterised by some serious nerve wrecking challenges at organizational level as well as at the political front. We remain indebted tour members who have remained supportive to the Federation and its Affiliates throughout this period.
1. Constitutional meetings
Our constitutional meetings take place according to the year planner and there instances where dates have to be changed to due to one reason or the other but such meetings end up taking place. The challenge that we face is the observance of the time for meetings by the PEC delegates in that meetings have to start late in many instances because we would be waiting for comrades to come and for us to fulfil the quorum principle.
Our POB meetings takes place on monthly basis and special meetings takes place few days before the PEC to ensure that the preparations for the PEC are done properly and to properly brief each other about the issues which would be discussed in the PEC as well as on the report to ensure that we approach the meeting as a cohesively as possible.
2. Leadership
Our leadership collective have been intact until January 2017 when we lost our Provincial Treasurer Comrade Mojaesi Monyaki who was also the NUM Regional Treasurer. The comrade was laid to rest with dignity and respect and we wish to acknowledge the support from both COSATU and NUM National Leadership who both attended the funeral.
After some engagements with COSATU Head Office clarity was provided that the PEC which was scheduled for March 08, 2017 should fill the vacant position of the Provincial Treasurer. The position was thus filled after a process of engagement amongst the Affiliates and a name emerged without contestation. The name of Comrade Mapule Dhlamini who is the current Provincial Chairperson of CWU emerged and was duly elected as the Provincial Treasurer for the remainder of the current term. COSATU house and the President of the Federation oversaw the process.
3. Gender Structure
Our gender structure has been existence right through this period though it has been quite a huge struggle for them to pull off an activity apart from some indoor sessions like women training and development, dialogue of gender issues and sexuality and the skills and gender conference.
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We have included as part of its responsibility and emanating from the discussions on skills the responsibility to drive the skills development campaigns and programs in Affiliates and Locals so that such can be matched with the need for employment equity in the various workplaces.
There is still a lot of work to be done to realize this objective but it is work in progress.
4. Young Workers Forum
The province has launched the Young Workers Forum and the structure has been in existence now for period just over a year. It remains a challenge for the comrades to take up campaigns of the young workers despite several meetings to clarify their role.
There is a serious need for the Federation to assist provinces in clarifying the role of the structures so that we may not find the Young Workers emulating the ANC Youth League in terms of its current role which is really not assisting the young people of our country and serving some unexplained agenda.
The structure remains relevant and we need to invest some time and resources to allow the young workers to learn to drive their campaigns and discharge their responsibilities however its identity as a COSATU Young Workers Forum needs to be fully preserved.
5. Meetings with Affiliate Leadership
We had very fruitful meetings with Affiliate leaders and that platform also created a situation whereby issues that would normally be discussed in the PEC to receive attention and we are confident that we emerged out of that program with a clearer understanding of the challenges facing the respective Affiliates. We have begun to see the positive results from all the Affiliates and we are confident that the situation is set to improve going forward.
Earlier this year we were supposed to embark on the second phase of this program however due to pressure of work as well as the poor support from the PEC Members on the campaigns and programs of the Federation the POB’s of the Federation had to be fully immersed in such programs and that did not leave us any space to take the program any further.
We continue to believe that this necessary program and we would be advising the incoming leadership to continue with the program.
6. Recruitment program
We have planned quite a number of recruitment drives in the past and our PEC has earmarked both April and October as recruitment months. We however face serious challenges in terms of the implementation of this campaign in that it is difficult for us to pool all the resources of the affiliates together to implement a high impact recruitment drive.
It is quite strange that many of our affiliates including those in the public sector continue to face difficulties in terms of the processing of stop orders for membership. At the very same time our own investment companies and insurance schemes do not experience the similar challenges. We believe the a possibility should be explored of dealing with this matter once and for all and that may include even the notion of pooling our resources together to establish a membership unit which would serve all affiliates in a certain sector.
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It is quite a challenge that despite having recruited more than 5 000 workers into LIMUSA many of those workers had to ultimately leave because for the challenges relating to the membership system currently being managed and processed by MHA. At this point in time we see our gains being reversed on this front and our competitor deploying a barrage of resources to target the workplaces we had recruited and also promising some goodies to the members. We need a more sustainable strategy and program to deal with this challenge and to implement a sustainable recruitment program.
We have workers together with SACCAWU to recruit workers in Grainfield Chicken Abattoir in Reitz and have recruited more than six hundred workers to date. We managed to make the breakthrough with the assistance of the COSATU Local in the area and to date the Affiliate continues to service the workers and we are working very hard to recruit more as well as to retain these members within the Federation.
We have developed a program with the CCMA, Department of Labour and the Department of Agriculture to implement an outreach program to the farm workers. We would be implementing the program in the coming months and we hope to break the barriers with these new coalition. We hope to start the process from where the Farm workers summit left off in 2010.
7. Service to members
We continue to receive complaints from members from across the Affiliates but with more coming from the food, farming and beverages sectors. Such are directed to respective Affiliates and we in many instances struggle to get an update on the developments.
The domestic sector continues to face challenges and in our view most of its challenges are in-house where the National Leadership is either unwilling or incapable of dealing with pertinent issues like the Registration of SADSAWU as a Union with the Department of Labour. The challenge we face though is that even if we may recruit workers we cannot even represent them in the CCMA because there is no registration certificate. Attempts to solicit a response from SADSAWU head Office has been met with very confusing responses which are overshadowed by the know-it-all attitude from the leadership which has left us disempowered noting that many of the cases in this sector ends up in the CCMA. This matter needs serious discussions and interventions by the Federation as these workers are now suffering!
We continue to invite shopstewards and officials to the CCMA trainings as they remain the only consistent and reliable training platform for our stewards. We have had very tough times whereby stewards would be confirmed and they would not turn up on the day of the training however following the engagements with the CCMA we have received a report that the attendance of COSATU Affiliates have improved dramatically in the past year.
8. Collective bargaining
We have initiated a process whereby the Public Sector Unions come together to discuss the issues to be taken to the Provincial Bargaining Chambers prior to the meetings taking place. The meetings have been struggling to get support during the period under
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review despite the myriad of challenges we continue to face at various bargaining platforms where COSATU Affiliate attends and began to narrate issues form divergent perspectives even in instances whereby there has to be elections of office bearers in such platforms. Previously due to poor coordination we could not agree on a name and at some point our rival got a name but now we are back in charge and we will be working o a strategy to consolidate our power in all the chambers.
We have been struggling to convene the meeting for the Private sector Affiliates to engage in bargaining issues and also pursuant to the resolution of the 2013 bargaining Conference that we should attempt to harmonize our bargaining seasons so that we can be able to mobilize for rolling mass actions should disputes arise in bargaining and that such should be closer together. We will continue to engage the private sector Affiliates on the matter and we hope we will soon get this process off-the-ground.
We have received reports about the failure of the Local Labour Forums in various Municipalities to take place. We have engaged the ANC and have agreed that the sitting of the Local Labour Forums should be included in the performance contracts of the Municipal Managers and as when their evaluations are due the record of the sittings of the LLF’s should be taken into consideration. We will be monitoring this matter even through the Political Council as well as the deployment committee.
9. Management of Cases at the CCMA/Bargaining Council
We continue to serve in the CCMA interviewing panels for new Commissioners and in all instances we would ask the Affiliates to provide us with information backed up with evidence and/or data about commissioners who are not treating cases of workers fairly. When these requests are made for information comrades would always make comments and mention some names but not evidence or data would follow and as a result we are unable to act in all those instances unless one can pick up something from the CV and or cases that have been submitted for assessment during the interviews.
We have also been informed that there are also other commissioners in the Bargaining Councils which are biased to the employers however we have not been able to explore the notion of the CCMA being the supervisor of the Bargaining Councils purely because we do not have date and/or evidence to test such provisions as contained in the LRA.
Our structures continue to disarm us in that such incidents are not reported to the Federation with supporting evidence so that the matter could be taken up and workers continue to suffer whilst we have power at our disposal to assist.
10.Trade Union Education, Political Education and Skills Development
We have implemented internally a number of socialist forum programs both at provincial level and at local level where a number of topics were dealt with and our priority has been the fourth capitalist industrial revolution.
We have extended the socialist form to also include some forms of induction for the LOB’s so that we have clarity on their roles and such a program continues to unfold at local level.
10.1. Ditsela Workshop
In pursuing the DITSELA provincial strategy, DITSELA has scheduled the conducting needs analysis in seven provinces, the provincial schools in seven provinces. PEP review
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engagement was done as part of the needs analysis meeting in provinces that are going to roll out the program in 2018. At the completion of the provincial schools Train the Trainer workshops will be conducted in provinces.
DITSELA held two workshops in the Free State to train shopstewards from different federations. The first workshop was held in president hotel from the 27th - 29th of September 2017.
COSATU was represented in the Provincial School by twenty comrades from the following affiliates:
1. SATAWU 102. SAMWU 013. LIMUSA 084. PITSO (COSATU ) 01
The workshop covered the following areas or modules
1. Labour Law2. Political Economy3. Leadership Skills
10.2. Train the trainer workshop
The second workshop by Ditsela was the Provincial Train the Trainer Workshop held in Bloemfontein from 27th of February to 02nd of March 2018.
COSATU was represented by twenty one comrades from the following affiliates; SATAWU, SAMWU, POPCRU, SADSAWU.
The workshop dealt in the main with Facilitation Skills of educators from different federations.
10.3. NALEDI Workshop
NALEDI was formed in 1993 and carries out labour and economic research on behalf of COSATU. The workshops are meant to advance COSATU Policy Framework on Climate Change adopted by COSATU‘s Central Executive Committee in August 2011.
The debates were informed by the Federation acknowledgement that capitalist accumulation has been the underlying cause of excessive greenhouse gas emissions, and therefore global warming, and climate change.
NALEDI workshop was held in Xhariep Dam on the 08th and 09th of June 2017. The workshop was attended by the following affiliates:
1. DENOSA 012. NEHAWU 023. SACTWU 014. SATDU 025. POPCRU 026. CWU 01
This workshop was about climate Change and its impact on nature and the economy. The workshop also demonstrated how the unintended consequences of human beings destroy the entire planet earth.
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11.Campaigns and Activities undertaken
11.1. De Beers Bypass
At some point we became aware that SANRAL as directed by the minister of transport intended to move ahead with the process of constructing the De Beers bypass which on completion would have provided a shorter alternative route which would bypass Warden and Harrismith as well as Swinburne. In our understanding the economy of three places are dependent of the Volume of transport which passes through at any given time and the construction of an alternative route had the potential to put the economy of these towns in harm’s way.
We took up a campaign on these matter whereby we managed to convince the provincial government and the ANC that some alternative and progressive solutions should be sought in a quest to deal with the challenges at Van Reenen’s pass traffic should not be led away from these three critical places.
We filed a LRA Section 77 Notice and Nedlac for the intention to embark on a socio economic strike should SANRAL and Department of Transport go ahead with the intention to construct. The matter was quite a huge success as the decision was taken not to go ahead with the construction and lot of jobs have been preserved in these three areas. Our quest now is to ensure that labour intensive projects are and investments are brought to these dorpies so that real development can take place.
11.2. Elections campaign
We have consistently during the period under review participated and supported the ANC during both local government and the General elections. Our affiliates have managed to release workers form their workplaces to be part of the mobilization programs of the Federation though we could have done better.
There are instances where we have had to become groundbreakers in areas where communities had declared that they are not willing to listen to the ANC due to broken promises and also due to the attitude of deployees as well as the factional battles which have disillusioned the voters and supporters. We have had to intervene in such matters and in many instances got a very positive response from the voters.
In general our campaigns even though with very little or no funding at all have been successful and we are proud of our members, shopstewards and officials for the hard work they have put into our elections campaigns despite the difficulties as well as the unhappiness we have about issues that the ANC is not handling well. We remains disciplined cadres throughout.
11.3. Free State Development Corporation
Following the engagements with NEHAWU an understanding was created that the Federation should assist on the issues of the FDC. We found out that there are a lot of wrong things that are happening in the FDC in that the institution was not observing accepted standards of Governance and management practices whereby some board members would even be doing business with the corporation.
We also discovered that there many other things that were not in place for a development corporation some of which highlighted below:
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i. The strategic plan of FDC had moved away from providing housing loans and that has seriously curtailed the financial viability of the Corporation as housing was a cash cow for it
ii. There properties which were being sold or alienated under very strange conditions in that many have been sold at prices below their value and not even the market value and it has been strange that such sales seemed to have benefitted board members of the corporation.
iii. Many board members were residing in Gauteng and as a result some board meetings were also held in Gauteng which was quite strange and unacceptable
iv. The majority of businesses that did business with the corporation were coming from Gauteng even to do work that the corporation had capacity to deal with
v. The operations of FDC were such that even when a business requires a ready and available property it would take up to six months to access that building and that affected the business and the occupation of buildings in that by that time the opportunity for that specific business might have been snatched by somebody else
We engaged the MEC and the Board on the issues above and we are in a process of identifying new board members to forward to the deployment committee. Some things have changed by they are minor issues whilst the more serious issues remain unchanged.
We need a more radical approach to deal with this matter whilst acknowledging that National Treasury is still waiting for an excuse to close the Corporation down.
11.4. Metsimaholo dismissals
There were workers who were dismissed during the strike in 2014 whose status has been contested by both us and Metsimaholo.
The shopstewards of SAMWU has a certificate to strike on the issues which included the discrimination based on race by the Municipality whereby the black and white employees enjoyed different levels of cover form the Municipal funded scheme. The white employee’s benefitted more than their black counterparts.
The shopsteward erred in giving a three days notice for the strike instead of seven and on realization of the mistake when the employer raised it on the first day they retreated and gave proper notice which was in line with the collective agreement and the LRA.
The employer however deliberately did not differentiate between the two strikes but rather treated the strikes as illegal.
The workers were dismissed for engaging in an alleged illegal strike and other dismissed for absconding whilst the employer knew full well that they were on a legal strike.
After lengthy engagements the 288 workers went back to work in 2016 whilst some 36 workers who included shopsteward went back to work. The final group went back to work in the event of the Metsimaholo rerun elections in 2017.
At this point in time we consider the matter closed as the Federation. It has been a very lengthy journey of engagements and very tense engagements with workers and at times our own members were very hostile to us as leadership.
11.5. Metsimaholo rerun
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Soon after the SACP national conference where a decision to put in motion to realize the contestation of state power the Metsimaholo rerun surfaced. Due to the local challenges in the area where comrades felt that the ANC had betrayed them by dismissing them despite them not being wrong and the tension that had built up during the protracted engagements some comrades felt that there were not in support of the ANC in the rerun elections.
The SACP was reportedly approached by the community and some of our members to contest state power in Metsimaholo. With the controversy it carried the decision was carried forth after the National Structures of the SACP had given it thumbs up.
There were meetings which we initiated with the SACP to get clarity on the issue of contesting Metsimaholo on their own outside of the Alliance and such meetings did take place and it was clear that there was no amount of reasoning which could turn the decision of the National structure around. The day of the elections came and the outcome was such that neither the ANC nor the SACP had an outright majority to govern the municipality. After some talks a coalition was setup between the ANC with sixteen councillors, SACP with three councillors, AIC with one councillor and MCA with one councillor as well. This coalition managed to set up a municipality with the SACP taking the Mayorship and the speaker going to the ANC whilst the Whippery went to the AIC.
The challenges that we face now is that the Mayoral committee was constituted by the Mayor after engagements with the local comrades and the deployment committee of the ANC did not direct the process and that has made the ANC unhappy. At the same time the party raises the issues that the engagements on constituting the municipality was done under a very hostile atmosphere whereby some comrades form the ANC still felt bad about the SACP contesting the elections and viewing it as if the Party was contesting the ANC. The Party maintains had the atmosphere been positive the result would have been different.
Reportedly the working conditions of the comrades at the local level has reached very terrible situation whereby the branches of the movement holds a view that the ANC should pull out of the coalition. Our view as the Federation is that we stand to lose a lot should that happen and we have started a process to try and bring the two parties together. We have held a few meetings to try and rescue the situation in Metsimaholo and the process continues however the biggest challenge we face is attitude form both the ANC and the SACP with the party leading on that front.
11.6. Issues raised by NEHAWU
NEHAWU had engaged in March to raise a number of issues that are affecting the workers across the departments including the FDC issues to the office of the premier. For quite some time the office of the premier did not respond to the issues as it has become a tendency with the then administration and current Municipalities that when memorandums are handed over to them they do not make an effort to respond. Unfortunately this is a matter that has been seen as encouraging violence and the burning of public property in that when such has happned the state is quick to respond.
After some interventions there was a team that was put together to address the issues at hand which were cutting across various departments and the DG was given the responsibility to coordinate the responses to such issues.
At some point the process was just dumped and several attempts from our side to resuscitate the process could not yield positive results and there were responses on
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some few issues but on the rest of the issues there is still no progress. The leadership of NEHAWU have however found a way to deal with some issues by engaging directly with the relevant departments and some level of progress has been observed.
We would be raising this matter in our meeting with the Free State Exco.
11.7. Issues raised by SADTU
SADTUI had raised issues with the department of education which included the provision of working tools of educators and mainly the attitude of the employer whereby there clear indications that the Department was in a program to undermine collective bargaining.
There were incidents whereby the MEC and the HOD would just implement their own plans which have far reaching implications in terms of compromising the rights of the workers without engaging SADTU.
This led to a very successful march led by SADTU and COSATU whereby a clear statement was made that workers rights are not going to be trampled upon without a commensurate response from the workers.
This march led to the Federation and SADTU addressing the Free State EXCO on the matters affecting education in the Province. Subsequently to that we noted some positive changes in the way the employer was doing things.
The only challenge remaining to this day is the issue late payment of allocations to the school whereby at some point schools would be owed allocation for two to three quarters and the principals are left on the ledge to make sure that the schools continue to function on their own. This is clearly unacceptable especially the fact that when we seek answers Education blames Treasury and vice versa, whilst the blame game goes on the schools are still without funds.
11.8. Meeting with COSATU deployees
We held a meeting with the deployees during the period under review and despite the commitment to host the follow-up meeting that could not come to fruition because of the tight schedule and the campaigns that would periodically impose themselves onto our schedule.
The comrades raised the following issues:
i. Some of the deployees felt as if they have been thrown into a lion’s den in that the environment in both the ANC and the State is completely different form the environment in the Federation whereby issues are being dealt with but on the other side there seems to be a different approach and at some point issues are approached on the basis of who raised it instead of what is being raised
ii. In some instances the comrades do advice the deployees at the behest of decision making positions but their advices are ignored and the consequences become dire for the movement.
iii. Unlike in the Federation where comrades are free to raise issues and differ with whoever the atmosphere on the other side is such that the debates and discussions are stifled and there is no encouragement for debates to enrich the product
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iv. The Federation needs to make time to fully analyze the state and to check whether we have the ability to influence the state and the policy direction of the state to the benefit workers and working class
v. There remains a challenge of translating the ANC policies into funded state programs by the deployees of the movement and that has created this lack of synergy between the policies of the movement as well as government policy with the resultant that the voters are beginning to lose confidence in the movement as a ruling party.
vi. There notion of labelling has also become a very useful tool to silence the comrades within the movement since as and when comrades are labelled then they are forced into silence
vii. The movement seems to be stuck in dealing with current issues rather than dealing with issues in a futuristic manner whereby we can be able to project and develop scenarios as well as our responses to such issues and incidents which may have a negative effect on the movement or which can create a platform to give us mileage.
viii. There is a need to conduct a research on the issues of young workers in the workplace as well as the unemployed young workers and how they can be helped to become beneficial to our economy and to provide for themselves and at this point the youth seem to be in the receiving face of the many failures of our government policies like the huge unemployment rate amongst the youth
11.9. Meeting with SASCO
We held a meeting with SASCO and discussed quite a number of issues and the students raised the following issues;
i. The struggle for free education needed to be supported as it will bring about substantive changes to the lives of many students with the end result that many families would face better prospects of rescuing their families form poverty
ii. The students feel that the struggle for a better tomorrow cannot be confined to the campus and only deal with the bread and butter issues of the students but also deal with issues of students as community members
iii. The students hold a view that the Affiliates like SADTU, NEHAWU and POPCRU should show solidarity in that they do not expected that when they engage in action the workers belonging to the Affiliates mentioned earlier should continue with their work and that there should be solidarity
iv. The students also raised a concern about the acts of police brutality which they felt that the Federation and POPCRU have power to deal with
v. The students further proposed that a civil society meeting should be convened jointly with the Federation to involve the community members on the issues of Education at all levels up to tertiary.
The students were clarified that as the Federation we support the call for free education however we do not believe that with the inequalities that are in our country that everyone should be treated as if they were the same. We believed that those who can afford should pay their portion of the fees but those who cannot afford should have access to free education.
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We supported the students on the importance of education and what it may be able to achieve however the rate of population growth versus the rate of economic growth compounded with the investment strike by capital does not give the young people much of a hope on the matter but that as a Federation we continue our battle for decent job creation and economic growth
We explained that it is not always the case the students brief the Federation or its Affiliates prior to taking action but in all instances we would be briefed when the strike or protest has been going on for a while. That makes it impossible for us to engage in any solidarity action because our Labour Relations Act has laid down procedures to be followed before any action.
We agreed with the students that a joint Federation, Students and Civil Society meeting should be convened under the umbrella of the Education Alliance and that such a meeting would be convened in due course.
11.10. Intervention at Nala Municipality
For quite some time SAMWU experienced some serious challenges with the non sitting of the Local Labour Forum in this Municipality with the reports that the Municipal Manager and the Director of Corporate services have engaged in actions that has shown a very clear disrespect of the Affiliate and the workers they represent.
A meeting was thus convened with the Management of Nala and in the beginning some attitude problems surfaced and the intervention of the Mayor was solicited. The meeting went on very well and to this end at least the LLF does sit though we cannot agree with everything with the employer and there will be areas where we differ however the LLF meetings are sitting and the attitude of the employer has changed from being hostile to that of working together though we may not agree o everything. In our view that is the situation we wanted to achieve.
We know however that there are still issues that are a problem for our members in Nala and we have confidence in the leadership of SANWU that they will be able to handle the issues on hand only if the platform is created for them to do so.
11.11. Meeting with SATAWU Locals
During the period under review SATAWU underwent some serious challenges whereby the organization was being run and managed in such way that the constitution was not adhered to in terms of convening the necessary constitutional meetings.
The challenges worsened when the then General Secretary suspended the Provincial Secretary and that was when the locals stood up and requested the meeting with the leadership of the Federation to raise their frustration. The meeting did take place and the four three locals [Kroonstad, Welkom and Bloemfontein] were represented by their leadership.
A range of issues were raised but all in all centred around the fact that for a long period the structures of the organization were not sitting at both the local, provincial and national level due to reason unknown to then as the current leadership are not willing to account for the work that they continue to do in leading the organization and what made matters worse is that even the finances of the organization were not being disclosed.
A report coming from this meeting was compiled and forwarded to the attention of the CEC. The matter was discussed and a process was put in place by the Federation to
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attend to the problems with the Federation however the NOB’s were not available to come to the meetings and particularly the General Secretary who always had excuses for not attending and he was a key person in relation to the running of the organization as he was the only fulltime elected leader.
We are however relived that the Affiliate finally managed to convene the NEC and has put in place a task team which is currently preparing to go to congress to make sure that leadership is elected to lead the organization forward. The CEC has even acceded to the request by the Affiliate to write off the debt that was owed in a form of Affiliation fees. We are positive and hopeful that the Affiliate is now following a correct path which would seeing it growing and being stable.
11.12. UIF payments to former Mineworkers
We learned early in 2017 that there was a process which was being followed by the Department of Labour to register the former mineworkers with the intention that they should benefit from the decision taken that all the mineworkers who were employed in mines across the country prior to 2002 should register for the grant of R3 000.00.
The matter was clarified in the meeting with the Department of Labour. They explained that the matter was being dealt with by the team from DoL head office and that they had a program to register the former mineworkers especially in the former homelands. The program started in Botshabelo and there was a plan to go to Thaba Nchu however data suggests that the people from the latter were also part of those who made applications during the Botshabelo visits.
The program needs to be followed up so that it can be ensured all the former mineworkers and or their beneficiaries get access to this grant. We remain dissatisfied though that the workers from the neighbouring states are excluded from the benefit solely on the reason that they are not South Africans however their sweat and blood and sometimes their lives were lost during the hard work of building this country and its economy therefore we feel this is an incorrect decision and all who were mineworkers during the specified period should benefit.
11.13. Battle against the decimation of the poultry industry
We held a march to submit the memorandum of demands to the Department of Trade and Industry in relation to our demands toward the security of the poultry sector in the face of AGOA which was facilitate the dumping of chicken off-cuts on our shores and thereby destroying our local poultry industry.
The memorandum was accepted by the MEC for the Department of Small Business, Economic and Tourism Affairs and the march was a success. We had quite a good turnout from the workers in the privates sector who were threatened by the dumping of chicken off-cuts. The march was quite a success though we continue to face the challenges of our government which seems to more and more ignore the memorandums that have been handed over. As a result we have not even received an acknowledgement form the minister of trade and industry.
It was however quite amazing that when we raised this matter at the SACP national conference the Minister Rob Davis was the first one to accede that there should be the only special resolution to be crafted for adoption by congress. We will continue to raise this issue for the benefit of the workers and the poor.
11.14. South African Nursing Council
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We acknowledged the challenges that nurses continue to face with the SANC and the way they continue to treat the nurses despite the fact that their budget is derived from the licensing fees of the very nurses they are treating with disdain and disrespect. SANC is supposed to be the quality assurance structure but unfortunately all they ever do is to deal with nurses and never open their mouths to raise the inhumane conditions under which the nurses have to work under.
We had raised a number of issues with SANC including the problem of the Community Service Nurses who take such a long time before they are registered to can commence their community service.
The main issue we raised with SANC was that we need an office in the Free State to ensure that nurses do not struggle to access services provided by the Council and our Affiliate DENOSA made an offer to provide them with working space as long as they can open an office in the Province. The delegation form SANC made a commitment that they will table the matter in the sitting of the council and give us feedback however despite several follow-ups they have remained mum as usual.
We will continue to follow this matter up till we realize the full transformation of the nursing council as it is clear that they continue to operate with the mindset of the apartheid era of treating nurses as if they were objects and not human being and/or Professional workers.
11.15. Government Employee Medical Scheme
Following the march we held we submitted a memorandum to GEMS to raise our dissatisfaction about the medical aid which continues to bleed the public servants dry in that the monthly payments continues to rise whilst the benefits continues to decline. We held a meeting with the management of gems including the principal officer where a presentation was made whereby they blamed the abuse of the benefits as well as the fraud and corruption for the high fees. They claim that the claims have been far exceeding the income for some time now and without the increase the fund would be unsustainable.
We continue to believe that there are ways in which savings can be made and sustain the medical aid without the skyrocketing monthly premiums. We need to wage a serious campaign on this matter and we really need the support and participation of the public sector workers on this front.
11.16. Dihlabeng Municipality Security Company
Soon after the swearing in of the new Mayor in Dihlabeng Municipality the contract of the private security company was terminated and a contract was put in place in form of a company which goes by the name Zero tolerance. What has been the practice in the Municipality was that the new security would bring new management and uniform and other systems however the staff would be taken over by the new companies.
However in this instance the new company brought in new employees altogether and within wink of the eye almost two hundred workers were without employment. Sadly the new company and its owner had a history of not being compliant with the labour laws. Even with the current contract the company still does not comply with the requirements and minimums of the industry.
The matter was engaged with the Mayor who initially made some unfounded allegations that the workers were not qualified enough or vetted for the positions of security but
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when proof was provided by SATAWU to the contrary the Mayor has been looking into the matter for the past year and half.
To this end the workers remain outside of employment under auspicious circumstances which the Mayor and the ANC had made an undertaking to look into but that intervention has not seen the light of the day.
11.17. Meeting with Free State Agriculture
Following a number of attacks on farm workers by the farmers we engaged in program to meet with AGRI FS to explore the options available in ensuring a safer farming community.
The meeting shed some light on the phenomenon and also indicated that farmers and farm workers are in danger of being attacked by criminals and in some instances when criminals are not able to achieve their objective their take out their frustrations on the farm workers.
The meeting then agreed that there should be a joint program between stakeholders which should take us to the farms and engage the farming community on how to improve security for both the farm workers and the farmers. We would be taking forward this program in conjunction with the followings stakeholders CCMA, Department of Labour, Department of Agriculture and Agri Free State.
11.18. Grainfield Chicken abattoir
We were contacted by Qwaqwa radio journalist that the workers in this abattoir were treated in a very inhumane manner and raised a number of problems which workers faced on a daily basis as well as the fact that when workers are injured on duty they are not compensated and there was suspicion that such incidents are not reported to the Department of Labour.
Through the COSATU Stewards in Reitz we managed to locate the workers and were able to meet with them on several occasions. We realized that they had been members of so many Unions and as a result their trust in unions had declined. Our approach was to deal with issues that had been raised in the media as we believe that no workers should be ill treated at work as we are not going to work because we want to but because the capitalist system that we currently exist in forces us to sell our labour.
We held three meetings with the management and quite a number of issues had begun to change in the workplace and workers were even provided with proper protective clothing. The cases of workers who were injured at work were also followed up and such has been raised with the Department of Labour for follow-up.
After all this attempts the workers regained their trust in Federation and SACCAWU was introduced to the workplace and at this point in time almost six hundred workers have joined. This is one of those success stories that we would wish to hear from time to time however SACCAWU has a responsibility not let the workers down and to retain them through proper servicing.
11.19. Fourth Capitalist Industrial Revolution
We realized at some point that this matter needed to be confronted and we agreed that we should convene the socialist forum to create a deeper understanding of this concept. It was our observation that even people who continue to declare that they welcome the fourth industrial revolution may not have analyzed it properly in terms of how capitalist
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and brutal it will be in that more people would be left hungry and jobless after it has been ushered in than what its proponents are willing to disclose to the masses.
As workers we are starkly aware of the fact that there can be not introduction of technology and machinery ion a workplace without the loss jobs. The extreme scenarios of even domestic workers being replaced with robots through the fourth capitalist industrial revolution which its proponents have characterised it as the ‘internet of things’ may excite some people who technology eager however the real cost of it would settle in a very long time after the horses have bolted.
We convened the Socialist Forum to get a deeper understanding of the concept and we have facilitated discussions in various platforms like the Gender conference and in number of Affiliates to deepen this understanding. We are still working on a project of a roundtable discussion between ourselves, business, the state and higher education institutions. Maybe we should include the students going forward. The challenge has been a lack of funding otherwise the roundtable could have taken place already.
We have already met three higher education institutions namely UFS, CUT and Motheo TVET College and all of the institutions are eager to participate in the roundtable discussion.
The intention here is that we should be the first to raise these issues with employers, business and institutions of higher learning so that we set the agenda and not allow big business to set the agenda. The other concern we have is how the current workforce would be empowered to fit in whilst it might be a little bit easier for the new entrants to the labour market most of whom a currently technologically savvy.
11.20. Chris Hani Brigade
We realized that we needed more cadres to be empowered to roll out the political education as well as to capacitate our shopstewards at various levels and areas of our organization. As a result we implemented the decision of the CEC that the Chris Hani Brigade should be revived.
We invited Affiliates to nominate names and delegate comrades to be part of the team for the CHB and the attendance was not satisfactory as only six affiliates attended. The meeting agreed that the team would reconvene to give other Affiliates a chance to provide names for the team which was not to be.
As a result that project is still abeyance awaiting names of the team as even some of the comrades who were assigned to attend form Affiliate did not have a clue for what the intention was and could not confirm availability for the programs that would be adopted by the CHB.
This matter needs to be followed up until we get it right as it is the only way we can be able to reproduce many Chris Hani’s, Albertinah Sisulus and Nelson Mandelas for the benefit of our future generations and our country at large.
11.21. Maluti A Phofung
There were a number of challenges in this Municipality which led to SAMWU declaring a dispute and embarking on a strike. The strike came about whilst the community in the area were protesting and showing their displeasure about the Mayor and how he was running the Municipality.
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We were then requested to intervene on the issues at hand and a number of meetings were held whereby some issues were raised with the management of the Municipality who in the first meeting seemed to understand the issues we were raising but on the second meeting they had changed and were not responding to anything. Clearly some of them had reported other to someone powerful who had in turn instructed everyone to shut up from the look of things.
It was in the middle of this intervention that a Government Lekhotla which we had concerns with was convened and we were invited. We then raised the matter in the Lekhotla and decision was reached that the Municipality should be placed under administration.
The meetings that followed when the administrator was in place became little bit more productive and an agreement was signed to put the issues of the strike to rest. The administration continues to be in place and a lot of wrong things have been uncovered and all the wrong things that happened had to do with money!
We continue to watch the developments and have begun a process to engage on this matter with the provincial government as well as the newly elected ANC leadership.
11.22. Engagement with the MEC of COGTA
We held a meeting with the MEC of COGTA and MEC of Treasury to raise our dissatisfaction with the way the Municipalities are currently being run in Municipalities. The issue that municipalities do not have money and that most of their problems revolves around money but what is worrying is that they also behave like scavengers that when the money gets into the account of the Municipality if it lasts for a week then it is too long!
We raised the issue that the widespread tendency of Municipalities not to pay the third parties should be addressed as a matter of urgency and raise the issue that this constitutes and criminal act for which some officials may be arrested for such. We further indicated that we have opened a case at Phuthaditjhaba Police Station on this matter and we await the updates form police about the investigations.
A proposal was made the COGTA and Treasury would engage the National COGTA to intervene on the matter even if it may mean that the monies like provident funds and funeral policies should be paid over by COGTA and recovered from the equitable share of municipalities.
The meeting acknowledged that the recent report for the AG where 100% of our municipalities failed to obtain a clean audit was a matter is concerned with especially the fact that more than six Municipalities had regressed since the last Audit report.
The meeting agreed that we would have periodical meetings to appraise each other of the developments on the matters of mutual interest.
11.23. NCOP Visit to Qwaqwa
Whilst workers were on strike we were informed that the NCOP would visit the Municipality as a follow up from the previous visit but also to hear first hand on the issues that the communities are raising.
The venue of the hearing was such that it was not accessible except with the availability of transport and the NCOP communicated through the Office of the Mayor to communicate to the community and invite the public. These seem to have been where
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the NCOP went wrong as they were dealing with a Mayor who knows how stage manages things. The hearing was filled with the Mayor’s praise singers from the young people to leaders of churches and everyone who spoke indicated of how some few individuals are hell-bent against the mayor when he was such a good person.
We did manage to raise our issues in the hearing however in terms of the numbers we were beaten hands down. We did manage through SAMWU to make a written submission on the matters that we felt needed the attention of the NCOP.
In our view the problems of the residents and workers in Qwaqwa had one name in common and that was the Mayor and we felt that he should step aside so that we can deal with issues without hearing his name being mentioned time and again.
11.24. NCOP Meeting with Mafube
When the public hearing was concluded a meeting as convened between the executive of Mafube Municipality and the NCOP with the presence of the Federation and SAMWU to check progress since the last visit of the NCOP to Mafube. The NCOP raised a concern that it was supposed to receive quarterly reports form Mafube which has not been happening as frequently as required for which the Municipality and the Administrator pleaded the misunderstanding of the frequency and committed to submit the report.
In general the report from the Administrator, the Mayor and the Speaker sought to suggest that things were beginning to shape up in relation to the following matters:
i. Appointments of people are now being done following the prescripts to the latter unlike it was the case previously
ii. There is a huge problem in relation to clean water reticulation in the municipality due to the aging infrastructures which keeps giving up here in various places and the municipality cannot afford to replace the whole system which is what could resolve the whole problem for some time.
iii. Municipality has developed a payment plan for both water and electricity and such has been upheld thus far
iv. On the issue of phasing our rural maintenance Provincial Treasury is looking into the matter on the options that area available to be able phase out the contract which is really affecting the Municipality negatively.
11.25. Beatrix Mine
Earlier this year there was about an thousand workers who were trapped underground after a storm damaged the pylons supplying electricity to the shaft and as a result not enough power was available to hoist the cage and pull out the workers form the belly of the earth.
It would seem like the mine management attempted to utilize the emergency generator which just could not cope with the load and failed, another attempt led to the borrowing of the generator form Bambanani Shaft and that also failed. Fortunately workers form Eskom managed to restore power supply though the managers who were sitting comfortably in their air-conditioned offices took the credit and the workers were hoisted to safety. Fortunately none of the workers were injured and when the last group workers were hoisted up as the Federation we were there and we also joined in the briefing with the minister on what transpired.
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We raised our concern about the low standard of safety in the shaft by the company and called on the DMR to take their job a little more seriously.
11.26. Maluti A Phofung Business Chamber
It was quite interesting to note that the local business people in Maluti A Phofung managed to find one of our documents for the PSSC which was held in Qwaqwa just before the May Day mobilization program and as they went through it they had an interest in the issue of the MAP Special Economic Zone.
They then requested a meeting with the Federation to solicit support in relation to the Frustrations they continue to experience as businesses in the Municipality. The initial meeting did take place however not much could be discussed and an agreement was reached that a proper discussion would be engaged upon in a meeting to be scheduled after the May Day event.
Qwaqwa COSATU Local has been assigned to deal with the matter and to provide a report to the Province on the matter.
11.27. Occupational Health and Safety Committee
We held a successful meeting of the committee which deliberated upon the following issues which needs the attention of the PEC:
The meeting noted the failure of DOL and DMR to fully protect the workers in the workplaces and to ensure that the employers fully comply with the legal requirements of being employers.
There is a general feeling that the inspectors from both Departments are not fulfilling their obligations well and that workers suffer in their presence and that there is a feeling that there may be some shady dealings that are going on behind the scenes protecting the employers this is disturbing is these individuals are employees and may be our members, it remains however unacceptable!
The meeting agreed that the Affiliates would provide finer details of where they feel the DOL was not living up to its expectations and that when such has happened the Provincial Office would then take the matters up with the Provincial Management of DoL. The closure of Oppenheimer Hospital in Welkom has created some serious challenges for the public health institutions in the area and that has worsened the situation in Bongani hospital.
The meeting further received a briefing on the media reports about some individuals who seek to engage in a program to exhume and repatriate the remains of the deceased mine workers who were buried far from their homes. We suspect that this project may be seen as a cash cow for some individuals and the meeting has a strong view that such a project should be led by the NUM
Each affiliate should ensure that the following happens in every workplace going forward:
I. Presence of properly trained and empowered Health and safety representative in every workplace
II. First aid trained staff member on every shift especially in the potentially hazardous workplaces
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III. When COSATU Locals are launched the Health and Safety Coordinator should be part of the coordinators that are elected. In the event of small locals the LOB’s should share such responsibilities amongst themselves
IV. Occupational Health and Safety walkabouts should be prioritized especially in the private sector
V. A program to visit the MDR and XDR workplaces should be engaged upon early in 2018
11.28. Back to basics report: Schools visited
1. Olien School – Fauriesmith2. Rainbow school – Bultfontein3. Bean tse Molemo – Reddesrburg4. Mfundo-Thuto – Frankfort5. Kagisano – Ikhomotseng 6. Bethlehem Comprehensive – Bethlehem 7. Tsebo-Ulwazi - Frankfort
Learner teacher support material
Yes No
Does the school have enough textbooks 1 4
Does the school have a retrieval system 4 2
Does the school have enough stationery
5 2
Shortage of learning support material
BHM Comprehensive Secondary School EM8 – Grade 8
English 8,7,10
Olien Secondary School Mathematics
Afrikaans home language
Vacant posts
Principal Deputy HOD
Number of vacant funded posts (level 1)
2 5
Number of temporary teachers 1
Shortage of educators
BHM Comprehensive Secondary School Maths
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Sesotho
Technical Science
School governing body
Yes No
Functional SGB 7
Regular meetings being held 7
Adequate induction provided 7
Continuous training and development 6 1
District support
Yes No
Do learning facilitators visits school 7
Does circuit manager visits school 7
Do departmental circulars reach teachers
6 1
Any training for teachers and management
7
Parental involvement
1 2 3 4 5
Parental involvement 3 1 3
Learner discipline
1 2 3 4 5
Learner discipline 1 1 4 1
Learner attendance 3 4
Learner pregnancy 4 2 1
Gangsterism 5 1 1
Drug & substance abuse 1 3 3
Learner bullying 6 1
Attacks on teachers 7
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Infrastructure
Yes No
Sufficient classrooms 6 1
Sufficient chairs and desks 3 4
Sporting facilities 2 5
School laboratory 4 3
School library 2 5
Maths laboratory 4 3
Conditions of the following:
Bad Acceptable Good
Toilets 2 4
Staffroom 3 1 2
Classrooms 3 2 3
Reasons for decline:
i. High number of progressed learners
ii. Movement of learners from one school to the other
iii. Shortage of textbooks
iv. Shortage of funds
v. Overage learners who are very difficult to motivate
vi. Absenteeism
General comments:
i. School is dilapidated and very old (Tsebo-Ulwazi)
11.29. In sourcing
We have been involved in a process to in-source the services of security and kitchens in the various institutions of health. We managed to in-source security in hospitals like Pelonomi, Bongani, Manapo and National however the issue of Kitchen remains an ongoing matter which was left at the hands of the Affiliate NEHAWU to handle.
The big challenge which remains through is the in-sourcing of kitchens which is moving at a very slow pace and what is heartbreaking is that we still have workers who have been working in outsourced kitchens for more than twenty years and they would be going home without any form of pension and provident fund when they finally retire.
We really need to push that this matter should be finalized and at least some of those workers serve at least few last years under better conditions prior to their retirement.
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We had led the campaign for in sourcing of kitchens and security in the Department of health as a start towards rendering all services internally as the state. We have observed a very huge improvement on that front with very few institutions being left out but the progress seems to be moving.
The challenges we continue to face is that of municipalities whereby a lot of services are outsourced with resources and capacity internally. We would be taking this campaign to an even higher level where we would be filling the LRA Section 77 notice for a socio economic strike against outsourcing and demanding that the state should be running all the services internally.
11.30. Buthelezi EMS
We have been dealing with this matter with intent that the EMS services should be in sourced however our approach had been that of boardroom engagements as well as press statements and clearly that has not had an impact on the status quo.
Buthelezi has since its inception expanded very much in terms of the services they render and the costs of their contract have been escalating with the department of health reporting the following payments made to Buthelezi in the past three years:
2013/14 = R 4 million (from only December 2013)
2014/15 = R99 million
2015/16 = R159 million
2016/17 = R204 million
2017/18 = R147 million
We believe that this matter needs to be highly elevated by the Provincial Congress to ensure that we reverse this anomaly as the department still maintain a fleet of EMS vehicles and better trained personnel to can provide the service.
We must very hard our public services to remain public and to take back all those that have been put into the hands of the predatory elite.
11.31. Regional Appeals Committee
When workers earn their salaries a portion of their earnings is deduction matched with an equal portion by the employer and put aside to pay for an insurance premium for the day when the worker loses his/her employment.
When that day comes many factors come into play and the circumstances under which workers leave their jobs are different. In some instances there are clear cut conditions and workers can file their claims right away however in some instances cases have to go to the CCMA and other platforms and the final outcome does not fit squarely into the template of the UIF claims.
The claims get rejected in some instances and many workers are left without knowledge that they have a right to make an appeal.
When those appeals are made they then serve at a tribunal called the Regional Appeals Committee where we are represented and the ability we possess but have not been able to utilise because this organism has not perfected its communication system so that each part of the body knows what is going on within that body.
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It does not look like many workers, shopstewards and officials understand the role of the RAC and how that platform may be used to turn lives around one worker at a time. There is a need for us to start working on publicising structures like this which workers can benefit from; we have identified the following challenges though:
i. The settlement agreements of the CCMA and bargaining councils do not change the reason for leaving employment by the employee. The employee is caught between saving his/her record of employment by accepting the status of resignation whilst inherently trading off the UIF benefits as resignation does not qualify. This matter needs to be looked into.
ii. The formula used to calculate the benefits for a worker who is claiming are based on the record of the past four years whereby there is a point accrual system which entitles the worker to a claim. This point system has become a serious impediment in the current situation whereby there fewer and fewer decent jobs and workers are recycled day in and day out. There is a need to relook at this formula as well.
12.State of Affiliates
12.1. CEPPWAWU
The affiliate continues to operate under very trying conditions given the challenges they face at a national level. The situation nearly got out of hand during the period when the Regional Secretary was suspended and without anyone coordinating the activities of the Union but since such was set aside we have noted a sharp decline of CEPPWAWU members coming to the office for complaints about service or seeking assistance.
The affiliate faces serious challenges from rival unions within its scope and it really need support from both the Federation and CEPPWAWU National office with resources. The Affiliate continues to inform us of their activities and we provide support where we can so that the leadership can be able to discharge their duties.
12.2. CWU
During the period under review and since its previous provincial congress the Affiliate seems to have stabilized in many ways and the issues of the worker is currently recieveing attention. The Affiliate is working very closely with the Federation in relation to its programs and we have been able to support the Affiliate ion many activities they have undertaken.
The Affiliate continue to work in a very hostile environment almost all its sectors and the membership have dropped by almost 60% since the previous congress; In SAPO the working conditions have not improved since the State bailout that was provided in 2016 and the conditions have worsened and the employer is now talking about retrenching workers. In Telkom the Affiliate has been hit by very serious retrenchments as well as outsourcing which has had a very negative impact on the growth of the Affiliate.
The Affiliate managed to recruit some three hundred workers from a call centre and when the meeting was set to negotiate organizational rights the employer served the Affiliate with retrenchment notice. The workers have since been entrenched and the call centre has been closed down and possibly reopened again somewhere in Gauteng.
12.3. DENOSA
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The Affiliate continues to invite the Federation to its meetings and activities in the Province and they continue to be part of the activities and honour deployments of the Federation.
For about two years there has been a tussle between the Affiliate and Department of Health Nursing directorate in terms of organizing the International Nurses Day but we are noted that their matter was resolved in 2018 as the Affiliate participated in the Nurses day activity unlike it happned previously.
The Affiliate continues to face serious challenges in relation to the working conditions of members which are on a continuous decline and thereby predisposing members to various elements including the possibility of being disciplined by both the employer and the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
The Affiliate continue to face serious challenges with the untransformed SANC whose role appears to be to harass nurses whilst they are being kept afloat by the very same nurses and claiming to be representing the public whilst there is no state funding for the institution.
12.4. NEHAWU
The Affiliate continues to be very supportive to the programs of the Federation and even in instances where there was not funds to engage in some programs the Affiliate would step in and provide the resources for the Provincial Chairperson to implement such programs.
The affiliate continues to face a myriad of challenges as well in that as they are organised in state departments many acts of corruption are done in front of their members and the affiliate is always expected to deal with such even when members are not availing evidence to allow the Affiliate to tackle such issues. In many instances the members of the affiliate would be overlooked for promotions and appointments to senior positions due to recycling of leadership and some ill intentions form people with power and this has resulted in members being demoralized.
12.5. NUM
The Affiliate has faced what we describe as the most difficult period of its existence in the province whereby since the Previous Congress of the Federation and the upcoming one the Affiliate has lost in the region of 8 000 members. This has been compounded by the attacks from employers whereby the long standing organizational rights like the full time release of office bearers and coordinators created through bargaining are threatened by the employers.
The Affiliate has had a very serious loss of membership in that around 8 000 members have been lost since our previous congress in June 2015 and this is due to employers reducing workers as they continue to chase profits.
The Affiliate is currently struggling to secure the release of leaders from their various workplaces to serve the Union on a fulltime basis as it has been the case for a very long while. This has curtailed the ability of the Affiliate to serve members properly.
The following challenges are currently facing the Affiliate
Closure of shafts and unlawful retrenchments Loss of membership to rival unions which are also using strong arm tactics and threats to recruit members
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Management conniving with rival unions to the detriment of the NUM in some workplacesContinuous attack of the NUM leadership by employers aimed at weakening the AffiliateThe attitude of Sibanye which has now become the worst employer in terms of occupational health and safety conditions whereby threat to life and loss of life has become the daily routine in its shafts.
12.6. PAWUSA
The Affiliate continues to attend some activities of the Federation though the cooperation between the offices is quite healthy. We have engaged on a number of activities jointly whereby we were attempting to resolve some issues of workers especially with the Department of Public Works where most of its members are located.
There has been a plan about recruitment which was to be supported by the Federation but that is yet to be realized though we have managed to attend to one workplace with the leadership in our quest to precariat members. The mood is a little bit better after the appointment of the organizer as previously it was a challenge for the office to function without fulltime staff.
12.7. POPCRU
The Affiliate continues to be supportive of the activities of the Federation and have been able to attend all the activities of the Federation during the period under review. The challenges that continue to be faced by the affiliate range from the attitude of managers who are unfortunately from the ranks of the very Affiliate and the shortage of staff and working tools in various workplaces and across the sectors. The recruitment in the affiliate is unfolding and there is a steady growth of membership.
12.8. SACCAWU
The Affiliate is looking down the barrel of the gun in terms of the wrath of capitalism in dealing decimating decent employment. Many workplaces have converted workers to become precariat employees with no rights and no basic salary. The Affiliate has been supportive to the programs of the Federation during the period under review. There is a need for increased support for the Affiliate in terms of recruitment and of servicing members so that those recruited may be retained.
12.9. SACTWU
The Affiliate is facing serious challenge of employers who are not complying with the minimum wages of the sector and with other basic requirements in the sector and the Affiliate has filed many cases of non compliance with the bargaining council which are yet to be enforced.
The issues of low salaries despite the bargaining council conditions remains a key challenge for the Affiliate and the process of enforcing the basic sectoral conditions is unfolding in many workplaces. The Affiliate is also faced with a situation whereby workers are registered with the UIF and monies are deducted and yet such monies are not paid over to the Department of Labour.
The companies are also not paying the compensation commissioner and that becomes a problem when workers are injured at work. We will be starting a process of opening
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criminal cases against the employers who continue to commit fraud by not paying over the third party monies to the intended beneficiaries.
12.10. SASBO
The Affiliate continues to attend meetings and activities of the Federation but we are kept in the dark about the activities that are due to take place and sometimes members do call the POB’s of the Federation to ask where they is when there is an activity but the Federation is not present.
12.11. SAMWU
The affiliate is operating in a very complex and sometimes hostile environment where she faces a myriad of challenges from both internally and externally as an organization. The politics of the ANC also add their own flavour to the nature of the challenges and complicates the situation even further. The impact of cadre deployments cadre recycling has had its share of creating challenges in Municipalities as well as the Affiliate has to deal with and be content with such.
We face the challenge of non compliance with the Municipal Systems Act (MSA) on a growing scale and that seeks to suggest that it is a deliberate move. The Labour Relations Act has also been seriously undermined by many municipalities and the Affiliate is faced with a growing number of
We have a serious problem of the non payment of third parties by a growing number of Municipalities as well.
The Municipalities are failing to comply with the collective agreements which have been reached at both the LLF and the Bargaining Councils despite the intervention by SALGA.
Members are subjected to bad working conditions whereby many are working without the Protective Clothing whilst others are using un-roadworthy vehicles to perform their duties.
There is an unrelenting political meddling by councillors in administrative and management functions and this compromises the compliance with the current legal and policy framework hence in many instances it is so difficult to obtain a clean audit.
Many functions of the Municipalities are outsourced to private companies with a very huge cost and in many instances that is done despite the fact that there will be internal capacity to deliver such services.
Dismissal of workers have been jointly resolved with the Federation in Metsimaholo and Mohokare however the Moqhaka dismissals have been successfully challenged in court by a rival union and we believe that our members would also benefit on that case.
12.12. SATAWU
The Affiliate has gone through very difficult era during the tenure of the former GS who had also suspended the Provincial Secretary at some point. The workers and their organization were left in limbo for quite some time however we are relived that such seems to be getting under control. The challenge the Affiliate faces is that many of its cases end up in Labour court and with the current financial and administrative situation the Affiliate could not even afford to representation for the workers.
12.13. LIMUSA
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At a certain point we had managed to recruit beyond 5 000 members in the province for the Affiliate however due to a number of challenges including the problem of membership system which is currently being managed by MHA many workers left the Union as our rival unions stepped up their recruitment campaign. There is a need for urgent support for the Affiliate at national level so that a number of their processes and campaigns may get off the ground with vigour and support that is required.
12.14. SAEPU
The Affiliate has been integrated into our structures as the province and we continue to see support and cooperation form the leadership of the Affiliate. There remain a number of challenges in this sector and one key element is the safety of EMS personnel as well as the privatization of EMS through contracting Buthelezi EMS.
12.15. SAMATU
The Affiliate continues under very extreme circumstances given their current internal challenges. For quite some time now the leadership of SAMATU have not been making it to the meetings due to the challenges of funding for their activities.
We continue however to provide support for the comrades and to communicate on a frequent basis and we are hopeful that we will make a lot of progress once the issues have been resolved at national.
12.16. SADTU
The Affiliate continues to be a pillar of strength for the Federation in the Province as it continues to give full support to the Federation even in instances when we have a challenges of funding the Affiliate would take care of the Deputy Provincial Chairperson in order for however to attend the activities of the Federation.
During the period under review the Affiliate has dealt with quite a number of challenges which included the non-payment of allocations to schools, failure to appoint temporary teachers on a permanent basis, non-payment of temporary educators, the introduction of the school inspector system through the backdoor by the department as well to deal with the teams that went around schools intimidating educators when learners did not achieve certain marks.
The abovementioned issues were dealt with successfully by the Affiliate and at this point in time the consolidation of the rights of educators is currently underway including the discussions about the current challenges we face in relation to the transformation of education which would ensure that all grades receive attention from the Department and not only Grade 12 as it is currently the case.
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13.State of COSATU Locals
Local Status Campaigns General
01 Bethlehem Active Elections campaign
Socialist Forum
The local played a key role in the commemoration of workers who perished in Sol Plaatjie Dam
02 Bethulie Active None The locals has recently been launched and the induction tin a form of a socialist forum would take place
03 Botshabelo Active May Day preparations
Elections campaign
The local have been active in the elections campaign as well as in assisting the workers with their problems and supporting Affiliates to service members
04 Bultfontein Active Elections campaign The local continues to operate despite the challenges of a small town and continue to serve members whose Unions do not have structures in the area
05 Brandfort Collapsed
07 Harrismith Active Elections campaign
De Beers Bypass
The local played a key role in the De Beers bypass protest
08 Heilbron Inactive
09 Hoopstad Active None The comrades continue to attend federation meetings though not much work has been done at the ground
10 Ficksburg Active Elections campaign
Occupational Health and Safety program
Recruitment of farm workers
Joint programs with the SACP
The locals continues to be one of the most active locals which implements the decisions of the Federation
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11 Koppies Active Elections campaign
Joint programs with the SACP
The local continues to function though under very difficult conditions due to poor support from Affiliates.
The local ahs even went to an extent or representing members in the disciplinary cases as the Affiliates were not coming on board
12 Kroonstad Active Elections campaign The Local is really struggling at this point and we are working on the date for the re-launch
13 Ladybrand Active Elections campaign The local is active and still can perform better with much support and induction
14 Parys In active The local has attempted on several occasions to re-launch but that has not been successful and an interim structure has been put in place
15 Reitz Active Elections campaign
Recruitment campaign
The Local played a pivotal role in facilitating the recruitment of more than 600 workers in Grainfield Abattoir
16 Qwaqwa Active Elections campaign
Campaign for water
Removal of the mayor
May Day 2018
The local remains one of the most organized locals with a lot of potential as well.
17 Sasolburg Active Elections campaign The local continues to operate though they have not been able to re-launch for a number of meetings and an interim structure is currently in place.
The local was divided during the Metsimaholo rerun whereby our
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stewards were on both sides of the ANC and the SACP and it looks like the local has not fully recovered from such
18 Senekal Active May Day Mobilization The Local ahs been re-launched recently and they have managed to run a successful May day mobilization program which was deflated by the unavailability of transport
19 Thaba Nchu Collapsed
20 Theunissen Collapsed
22 Viljoenskroon Active Elections campaign
23 Virginia Active
24 Vrede Collapsed
25 Welkom Active Elections campaigns The local lost the Chairperson due to retirement and the secretary resigned due to ill health as a result the local had to be re-launched again
26 Wepener Active Elections campaign The local continues to operate with the challenges it is facing and it one local that highly compliant with the directives of the federation
27 Wesselsbron Inactive
6. Gauteng
ORGANISTIONAL REPORT TO 2018 13TH PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
1. Outline of the ReportThe main thrust of the report is to account for the implementation of the 2015 National and Provincial congress respectively and the 2015 Plan which is based on the three pillars as indicated in the introduction:
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(i) Strategies to build the power of the organised working class in South Africa, , in our region and continent, as well as international.
(ii) Strategies to make our relationship with the Alliance work and,(iii) Priority areas for intervening on socio economic policy in the
short term to stem the jobs loss bloodbath and fight for quality jobs.
Ties report will also reflect n the implementation of our previous 12th Provincial Congress and further provides the co text within which this work was being undertaken. The mandate of the 12th Provincial Congress:
a. Abolishment of the labour brokersb. Building Unity and Cohesionc. Organise and Recruitmentd. Building the organisation focusing on Building Strong Worker
Controlled Unions
The report c sets a tone for the 13th Provincial Congress which coincides with the 33rd Anniversary of the federation. It further deals the footsteps of COSATU, victories we have secured, the challenges we have experienced and the tasks lying ahead.
2. Introduction
The organisational Report to the 13th Provincial Congress is an assessment of our work done since the last congress in 2015. The report begins by presenting on the analysis of state of unionisation in Gauteng Province and generally in South Africa. It then touches on COSATU including the challenge of unity and cohesion in in the federation before examining the principles; aims and objective and the 2015 Plan, the resolution of the 2015 National and Provincial Congresses especially the organising and campaigns taken by the federation. The report provides an update progress on gender report, recruitment and servicing of workers.
The narrative report presented below in the report focus on key areas taken up as part of implementing the 2015 Plan and Congresses resolution by affiliates and COSATU Locals.
3. State of unionism in Gauteng
In 2015 we reputed that only 3.7 million employees in South Africa, belong to unions and by then the entire workforce of South Africa was 13, 4 million, as at the end of July 2015. What does this mean today when faced with more retrenchments and company closures?
In Gauteng COSATU membership is currently 420 130 less than in 2015, our last congress. The major reason registered by all affiliates was the introduction of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) in 1996 allowing labour brokering to substitute permanent employees. COSATU acting together with its affiliates fought a major battle to have section 198 of the ACT amended. These were finally rubber stamped by government in 2015 April LRA Amendment Act which only makes things worse.
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We note that there are now five active federations in South Africa i.e. COSATU; FEDUSA; NACTU; SAFTU and COSAWU and others are there but not active in the sense of workers struggle. All ain all we have not organised the remaining workers that are unorganised.
The other reason that led to the decrease of membership in our unions is the internal administrative weaknesses. COSATU affiliates experience many challenges including the following:
I. A significant decline in the membership of some unionsII. Trade union unionisms a as result of unions establishing
Investment companies. These companies have in turn become major sites of contestation; competition and corruption.
III. The growing social distance between union leadersIV. Internal leadership battles(one faction against another faction)V. Poor governance and administration
VI. Generalised corruption including the abuse of union resources for personal benefit’
The above have resulted in poor state of the unions meaning unions are unable to push forward the demands of workers, or even to successfully oppose policies that are detrimental to the lives of the workers. With the absence of strong union in the workplaces, it should not be surprise that labour dispute have escalated.
4. The challenge of unity and Cohesion in the federation
Coming from our Special National Congress COSATU declared as follows:“We want to unequivocally declare that we want unity of COSATU. The federation remains the home of all workers and workers will be better organised under the leadership of COSATU.
5. Building Organisation
We agreed to build strong structures that are accountable to its members by building the engines of COSATU. This must be with the view of to subsequently elaborating and enriching the content of our Back to Basic perspective. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether we are doing that. What are the obstacles in achieving the Special National Congress declaration?
6. State of COSATU Unions in Gauteng
Table 1
AFFILIATE STATUS/COMMENT
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1. CEPPWAWU Due to their internal problems their participation has gone down
2. CWU Not active in the province
3. DENOSA Active but not up to satisfactory
4. LIMUSA Not fully active, still having organisational challenges
5. NEHAWU Participate
6. NUM Participate
7. PAWUSA Not fully participating
8. POPCRU Fully participating
9. SACCAWU Participate
10. SACTWU Fully participating
11. SADTU Fully participating
12. SAEPU Need to be coordinated in the province
13. SAMWU Not participating
14. SASBO Participate
15. SATAWU Participation was too poor with grievances
7. Constitutional Structures
7.1. POB
The last Congress elected four comrades as the Provincial Office Bearer’s to lead the province jointly and collectively with the Provincial Executive Committee. The POB’s elected where as follows
Provincial Chairperson : Amos MonyelaDeputy Provincial Chairperson : Meisie SekalediProvincial Treasury : Thabang SonyathiProvincial Secretary : Dumisani Dakile
The collective elected had been able to lead the province as mandated with the consultation and collectively with the Provincial Executive Committee as mandated. Our POB’s had always also ensured that our relationship with the NOB’s remain healthy hence any difficulties and challenges facing the POB’s had been communicated and discussed with the NOB’s to ensure that we remain all of us focused and taking the federation forward.
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7.2. Provincial Executive Committee
The structure has not been properly functioning as directed by the constitution of the federation. The financial challenges in the federation had an impact in the number of meetings that are required to be convened however the POB have managed to engage with the affiliates in the substructures of the federation to direct and managed the affairs of the federation. It is matter that we continue to raise with the national structures of the federations as this poses a threat to the functioning of the federation and also it will have negative effect and impact to the governance of the federation in the long run. We have to rely on secretariat forums to communicate decisions of the federations and also in managing the affairs of the federation’s during the period under review.
We think that the PEC members would also need to take political and organizational responsibilities to the functioning and strengthening of the locals. It is very few PEC members that had understood the critical importance of them playing such a role. The other factor is also that we need to see the PEC in majority during the implementations of the decisions of the federation as in our view very few comrades had been part of the implementation.
7.3. Provincial Organisers Forum
We report that several meetings were convened with poor attendance from the affiliates. Some meetings are cancelled due to only one affiliate is present and one or two affiliates will arrive two to three hours late without any programmes. That shows a clear sabotage on the congress resolutions. Another weakness is that reports are not submitted and if submitted they are not in details.
The structure is still crawling with more confusion around attendance, who must attend. The structure supposed to be attended by the provincial organizer and in the case of a region we expect a regional organizer or anybody dealing with the campaigns in an affiliate. A meeting of all organizers is separate from the normal POF/Campaigns. For the period in review we have been struggling to coordinate the structure due to poor attendance from affiliates. The three years was a challenging year for COSATU faced with many affiliates not in good standing. Some unions could not submit programmes. Below is the report of affiliates that have attended the convened POF/Campaigns meetings.
Table 2
Union Comments
CEPPWAWU No attendance to POF due to unipon internal problems that lrd the union into financial proplems
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CWU Not attending
DENOSA Not consistence, no programmes
LIMUSA They are taking part although they have some organisational challenges
NEHAWU The union consistently attending the meetings
NUM Both regions in Gauteng are part of the campaigns meeting
PAWUSA Not attending
POPCRU Poor attendance, but they submit programmes when requested
SACCAWU Consistence but no programme submitted
SACTWU Attend the meetings with some organisational challenges
SADTU Attending after the employment of the provincial organiser still to monitor the submission of programmes
SAEPU New in COSATU and the provincial structure still to be established
SAMA Not attending provincial structure not participating
SAMWU Not attending due to internal affairs
SASBO Not attend ding
SATAWU Attended only in 2018 during the May Day preparations they are faced with internal problems
7.4. Provincial Educators Forum
We start first to remind ourselves about the launching congress resolution on education, that education is the key priority of our country and that trade union education is the builder of a new worker. Further COSATU to consider opening workers education and training centres with focus programmes to build internal union capacity focussing on education and facilitation skills and material development for educators; shop stewards, organisers and gender coordinators with particular focus on provincial and local level.
Education is the nucleus of the organisation; hence the Mass Education Campaign (MEC) was agreed in the conference of the 2010 and it’s the only campaign that is implemented through locals. Education was generally being compromised by campaigns since 2015. We have tried to convene the educators forums but failed due to non attendance of affiliates educators . We still have to do more after the congress regarding the fulltime educators.
7.5. Provincial Shop Steward Council
Our Provincial Shop steward Council (PSSC) has always remained the pillar and strength of the federation in the period under review. The Shop steward
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Councils of the federation had been convened on consistent basis to ensure that the organization remain intact with its leaders on the ground.
The PSSC had always assisted the PEC to implement the decisions of the structures of the federation during the period under review. Our PSSC have also served as campaigning structures for the federation and the attendance of the PSSC has never at any given moment being less than 1500 Shop stewards.
The Council has also served as a platform for political education for the federation in the province and it has also enable the Shopstewards to interact with the leadership of the federation on number of issues affecting the federation raging form organizational matters to the political developments taking place in the province and also at the national level.
Our PSSC has also been able to serve as part of the interaction with the Alliance partners on matters that affect the alliance in the province. Our PSSC has ensured that it is always addressed by the leaders of the alliance and further afforded Shopsteward an opportunity to engage and express their views on matters that affect them and for them to also provide the feedback to the leaders of the alliance on various political and organizational matters in the province and also at the national level.
We are very proud on the role that the PSSC had played over the period under review and would hope that this structure would continue to play such a constructive role moving forward.
7.6. Secretariat Forum
The structures have been very supportive of the POB’s and it had been able to provide direction and provide political guidance to very difficult and compound matters that had confronted the POB’s during the period under review.We could also report that such a structure in certain circumstances had been extended to involve the chairperson’s of the province when very complex and challenging question had confronted the POB’s in the province. It has been able ensure that the province move in unison on such matters hence once our appeal is for some of the affiliates to begin to take this structure serious as the contribution to all matters of the organization are important and their value is highly appreciated for the unity and cohesion. We also note that for the past two years the structure was limping with poor attendance by affiliates. The congress must talk to the problem.
7.7. POB/LOB
One of the pillars of the success of COSATU province in taking forward the work of the federation is the continuous meetings with the locals office bearers The structure commonly known as the POB/LOB (Provincial and Local Office Bearers) meeting The structure also has its own challenges, rising
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from affiliate support and release of local office bearers to attend to other federations work. Our lat POB/LOB in March/April 2015 agreed that all office bearers must attend the POB/LOB meetings. The plan is to make sure that there are no activities that will make reason to not attend the meeting. Commitment from shops stewards elected to the local level must always be expected from leadership.
The following activities took place under difficult situations. The attendance from affiliates is still a serious problem due to COSATU organisational problems. The report will cover the period from 2012 to 2015. Below is the state of the COSATU Affiliates Educators:
7.8. COSATU Locals
7.8.1. Local Structures
Strengthening COSATU at the provincial level depends on the local Structures working effective and these need commitment from all, affiliates and local shopstewards. We should state albeit not with equal vigour, the interventionist role our locals had played in all our campaigns and for holding our red flag high during turbulent periods.
Of the twenty three (23) locals we had in the province since 2015, In our endeavours to rebuild organisation we had managed to launched six locals through our campaigns. Our focus on rebuilding and launching locals is driven by our mission of consolidating the best we have increasingly expanding to the untapped areas. Due to the unions not in good standing some locals failed to sit because of quorum.
Issues for serious consideration at local structures remain the following:-
Locals are having a challenge of non attendance by affiliates shop stewards and generally workers or members of the community.
COSATU locals are also affected by the new wave of tensions in COSATU creating in some cases enemies amongst themselves, solidarity becoming a slogan of the past.
Some of our locals are experiencing a challenge of venue to hold their socialist forums.
Some locals are still struggling to secure the venue and affiliates not cooperating
Officials of affiliates and members of the PEC not attending the local Majority of shop stewards are not attending the locals Education and training a challenge in most of the affiliates/locals Role of affiliates in encouraging the shop stewards to attend is not visible Affiliates at local/branch level not keen to attend the local Resources are too scarce and unions are reluctant to assist the locals Lack of sense of belonging
Recommendation: The affiliates are requested to encourage their members to attend
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the COSATU locals. Improve participation in the debates of the federations. Avail venue for COSATU locals.
7.8.1.1. State of COSATU locals for the period of 2015 To 2018
Table 3
Ekurhuleni Cluster
LOCAL State of LOB Comment
Brakpan
Benoni
Boksburg No lob’s. The area is currently been service by Benoni Local
Germiston
Nigel
Springs
Tembisa
Joburg Cluster
Local State of the LOB Comment
Alexandra
Joburg
Lenasia
Midrand
Sedibeng Cluster
LOCAL State of LOB Comments
Heidelberg
Vanderbijlpark
Vereeniging
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Tshwane Cluster
Local State of LOB Comments
Cullinan
Babelegi
Rosslyn
Tshwane
West Rand Cluster
Mogale
Merafong
Randfontein
Westonaria
7.8.1.2. We have five clusters as per the metros or the districts. The following is the state of the clusters:
Table: 3.1
Name of the Cluster State of the Cluster Comments
1 Ekurhuleni Very weak Office bearers not meeting. Only two attend the alliance meeting and report back is still a challenge.
2 Joburg Active COSATU is represented at the alliance level. The cluster have elected its new leadership on the 03rd July 2015.
3 Sedibeng Functions The cluster consists of three locals namely Vanderbijlpark; Vereeniging and Heidelberg. Cluster leadership is active in the alliance structures. No
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programmes to revive other local.
4 Tshwane Active Office bearers are functioning and the programmes are implemented. They are helping weak locals to function.
5 West Rand Very weak Office bearers are not meeting but individuals attend the alliance structures. The challenge is the distance between the locals and the transport cost is a challenge.
8. One Union, One Industry, One Country, One FederationIn 1985 COSATU was launched with the five principles to take the struggle of workers forward. These principles are as follows:
a) Worker Controlb) Paid up membershipc) Non Raciald) One Union, One Industry and One country, One Federatione) Solidarity
9. National Elections - 2019COSATU as a province is part of the alliance Provincial Election Task Team Gauteng, preparing for the 2019 National/Provincial Elections. Programmes are in place to work towards mobilising the workers and the community. The National Congress will also give directions to the matter. All grievances or dissatisfactions will be dealt in the both provincial and National Congress. We need to be guided by the 2015 Plan.
10. Organising Young Workers
Implementing the 2010 resolution of establishing the Young Workers Desk in order to recruit them in COATU unions we have finally elected the following comrades to lead the structure with the support of all affiliates.
1. Convenor: Comrade Ivan Ramogale (NEHAWU)2. Alternate Convenor: Lebo Khumalo (DENOSA)3. Coordinator: Thapelo Ramahlele (NM)4. Alternate Co-ordinator: Duduzile Shabangu (CWU)
11. Organisational Campaigns
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11.1. May Days
COSATU continues with Celebrations and commemorations of May Days every year where workers and communities are mobilised around key demands on issues arising ion the specific year. Every year the theme decided by the CEC guides the province and the local. We continue striving to ensure that May Day celebrations remain guided the following objectives.
To recognise the role of workers played in the liberation struggle, and celebrate 01st May as an official national holiday, declared by Government
Celebrate workers victories and gains, to rededicate themselves to overcome the many challenges which still face workers.
Protect the day itself, from employers eroding the significance of national days by forcing workers to work.
11.1.1. 2016 May Day
The 106 May Day was celebrated under the theme “Celebrating 30 Years and defending Collective Bargaining, Workers Jobs and Rights”
The Gauteng national rally was held in Mamelodi Moretele Park which was addressed by the Presidents of COSATU, ANC, SANCO and the General Secretary of the SACP. The rally was a successful with good attendance from affiliates and alliance partners
11.1.2. 2017 May Day
In 2017 May Day was celebrated under the theme “...........” .The day started first with a march to Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in SANDTON the followed by a mini rally at the park. The march was also successful and all speakers managed to address the marchers. The preparation for May Day was inclusive of listening and Recruitment campaign programmes. We still have to do more to defend our historical Day..
11.1.3. 208 May DayMay Day in 2018 was celebrated with the theme “Building Unity and Cohesion of COSATU to advance the National Democratic Revolution” at Sedibeng in Vanderbijlpark. The day was celebrated in a form of a march to Accellor Mittal (formerly known as Iscor) to be nationalised. The turnout was good even when the country was faced with Bus National Strike. Again all alliance partners attended in numbers not forgetting that the National Elections are coming in 2018. The coming year we need to work more than what we have done.
11.1.4. Summary of all May Day celebrations
a) Mobilisation
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Mobilisation programmes are not sending in time and May Day is not part of the agenda in the meetings. Few affiliates if not one will send mobilising programme sometimes not in detail not known to shop stewards in the plants.
.
b) Material
Material (posters and pamphlets) arrived very late towards the end of April. Some of our Clusters don’t receive any and normally receive from the provincial office. The matter has been taken up with the Organising/Campaigns departments.
c) Speakers
All speakers arrived in time as deployed by the respective alliance partners, in all the three May Days
d) Attendance
The attendance for the three May Days was satisfactory. Alliance partners were committed to working together.
f) Transport
In all our May Days COSATU Province will secure buses even if it is late. The lack of transport plans from both affiliates and locals is also one of the causes to secure buses late. Affiliates on the other side they don’t confirm the number of buses to be allocated/transport plan for transporting their members. We also raise our concern that some of the buses will arrive with few workers and others sometimes will e returned back due to poor attendance
The report indicates the strength and weakness of the federation and its affiliated unions. Thorough communication was made to make the affiliates to be part of the campaign. COSATU Clusters/Locals are always in charge of the whole mobilisation. Below is the summary of participation of our unions and their status in mobilising the workers to participate in the campaign. The are sixteen (16) unions operating in Gauteng
Table 4
UNION PROGRAMME COMMENT
1. CEPPWAWU No programme Only attended one meeting in April
2. CWU No programme Never attended the campaigns
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meeting
3. DENOSA No programme Spoken to comrades and promised to deploy
4. LIMUSA Programme submitted late
Difficult was deployment to areas identified
5. NEHAWU Programme submitted late
Meetings were successful
6. NUM – PWV Programme submitted late
Submitted and all meetings addressed
6.1. NUM - CARLETONVILLE
Programme submitted late
All meetings were held
7. PAWUSA No programme Never attended the meetings
8. POPCRU Programme submitted late
Submitted and all meetings took place
9. SACCAWU No programme Never attended the campaigns meeting
10.SACTWU Programme submitted
Meeting addressed and some were cancelled due to Wage negotiations
11.SADTU Programme submitted
Meetings were succesful
12.SAEPU No programme New in COSATU
13.SAMA No programme Not participating in all COSATU activities
14.SAMWU No programme Due to internal problems they are not participating in all COSATU campaigns, only at the locallevel
15.SASBO No programme Non attendance as
16.SATAWU No programme Failed to deploy and develop a programme
12.E-Tolling
These campaign is still intact and although there are weaknesses or lack of support from some affiliates leadership in the province. There are those affiliates leadership who have not taken part in the motorcades and this need to be address urgently. The Democratic Centralism must be adhered to if we want to see strong COSATU.
The province first was denied permission to demonstrate on the freeways by JMPD and we were not successful in court and we won the case against Ekurhuleni (EMPD) at the High Court. The motorcade was successful on the 31st May 2013. We were finally
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granted permission by both JMPD and TMPD on the 24th June 2013 and 02nd July 2013 respectively.
Both demonstrations were successful irrespective of poor attendance from COSATU unions. The PEC of the June 2013 discussed the mass mobilization of civil societies but failed to attend the action. Alliance partners position s are known to everybody and civil society groups who support COSATU were criticized heavily by comrades but our own comrades failed to attend the motorcade on the days of the action. We want to stress that we will not win the e-tolling campaign alone as COSATU but we need to act together with other organization and of cause lead them towards our goal.
We also report that for the first time we agreed to much on Saturday to SANRAL Office from Johannesburg to Tshwane Metro. The motorcade included members of civil society together with the motorbikes having joined us. This motorcade happened on October 2014 and was successful. As usually majority of the unions of COSATU/ COSATU staff and the alliance partners was not part of the motorcade. We want this congress to further discuss the matter as part of the COSATU Congress programme of action.
13.National Health Insurance (NHI)/Private Medical
The National Health Insurance is COSATU National and Central Committee decision. COSATU at its congress committed to work towards realising the operation of the National Health Insurance. At its congresses, to remind comrades COSATU resolved to the following, just few of the resolutions:
Call for the full implementation of the Primary Health Care Approach by the national and local governments departments of health as an essential element in the implementation of NHI
1. Call for the revitalisation of all public health facilities2. Radically review the Human Health Resource Plan to ensure
appropriate targets are set for the employment and production of doctors; nurses and other health workers in public sector
3. That on professional boards, labour should be represented by the federation rather than individual affiliates
4. Vigorously organise Community Care Workers working in the NGO’s, whilst campaigning for employment in the public service
These are some of the resolutions that guide COSATU to fulfil its aims and objectives. We then, working with the COSATU National Social Policy Coordinator comrade Lebogang conducted a workshop for the province to reenergize the workers. The workshop went well and achieved its aims and objectives
Empowering provincial and local leadership To elevate NHI to its priority status in both our workplaces To educate and create awareness of the NHI through all avenues in the society, in
particular the workplaces and communities To build worker confidence To work towards establishing a provincial committee/forum to assist with the
monitoring To ensure the implementation of the NHI is a mass driven
We are looking forward in the establishment of the structure as soon as possible.
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13.1. Private Health Inquiry
We also dealt with the cost of private health and the planning for the inquiry to come. COSATU province is required to submit the input on the matter. The workshop also clarified the concept of “a better life for all”. Further the workshop dealt with how private sector inflates their prices and how we (members of medical aids) help the private sector to grow and use the name of NHI to survive. Our fight is to make sure that NHI becomes an alternative to private sector so that majority of our people can access health. And our slogan must be “Peoples first before profits’. All comrades in the workshop committed themselves to get involved through COSATU in all sites the NHI has been piloted and take campaign for the implementation of NHI in full to all structures, community level. The COSATU NHI Forum will be in function in July.
14. Health and Safety- October Month
Our core demand is also to fight at workplace level for Health and Safety for workers. Affiliates have structures that deal with the matter but we have not yet met to draft a programme for the province. Since the OCTOBER is the Health and Safety month a meetings will be convened between the month of July/August and September to full have a programme. Preparations for health and Safety month have begin.
15.Decent work
The campaign on the International Decent Work took place in the form of a provincial shop stewards council and a march to the Gauteng MEC for Finance Offices submitting a memorandum to the Minister of Finance, and the memo was accepted by Mr Jeff Mashele on behalf of the Minister; the march then continued to the Labour Broker - Adcorp Management (The Hub of Labour Brokers) and a memorandum was also submitted. The march was successful and was led by both the National and Provincial Office Bearers. The coming October the organisers and Campaigns forum must develop a programme for the month.
16. Recruitment
The National Bargaining, Organising and Campaigns Conference adopted guidelines to improve service of members in order to deal with unhappiness and anxiety as a result of poor service and deteriorating conditions of employment, non-compliance with legislation frame work. The unions at the conference committed themselves to work towards recruitment and listening campaign simultaneously. The above status of attendance has just proven that affiliates have no programmes in place.
Survey forms were issued and their return is very slow bits by bits. There are no programmes or reports from the affiliates in the province. The 2015 programme have committed COSATU to have four (4) million membership by time we assembly for the 12th National Congress. We are very much disturbed by both Provincial and National status of the unions in COSATU as reported at te CEC of May 2018.There are challenges faced by the affiliates but there are main reasons if not causes that will lead us not having the 4 million members. Seriously COSATU affiliates should by now have learned
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more from the Marikana type of action. We are raising some problems that will need urgent attention of our affiliates to do. These problems are real problems not fake.
1. Lack of service from the union/officials2. Non representation of workers both at CCMA and Labour Court3. Lack of skills to deal with worker issues( signing of agreements to dismiss
workers from coming to the offices)4. Poor communication in all union structures5. Not all new shop stewards are trained to handle cases properly(Worker
Control is not working)6. Bad attitude of officials sometimes using vulgar words against workers
(threatening workers when questions are asked.
Before we can embark on the recruitment campaign these are the problems we need to solve. Majority of workers have lost hope in the unions they are just members of the unions for the unknown security OR they like the union but not the way they operate. The structures of the unions are totally dead or maybe to say politely none functioning. It’s true that not all unions have the same problems but somehow they are the same. Affiliates are requested to give way forward in order” to make sure things change for better.
17. Unemployed Insurance Fund (UIF)
COSATU as major stakeholder is now represented at the Unemployed Insurance Fund Regional Appeals Committee. Comrade Tshepo Mokheranyana (NEHAWU Provincial Secretary) and Comrade Matserane Wa Mapena (Provincial Educator/Organiser) represent the province. Two meetings were held this year in April and May 2018 as part of induction meeting. The province will be updated timorously about the developments.
18.COSATU Compensation Assessors
The province has not been part of the assessors of COIDA at the provincial level due to various reasons. The following list of comrades will be representing COSATU Province in the Compensation Fund committee of the Employer and Employee - Assessors.
The total number must be twenty shop stewards, meaning that we must add to the number due to NUMSA being not an affiliate of COSATU. The workshop will be convened as soon as possible. We need to finalise the details of each comrade including their CV. More details to follow. See the list below:
Table 5
No. NAME ANND SURNAME UNION/AFFILIATE
1.. Meisie Sekaledi COSATU
2. Matserane Wa Mapena COSATU
3. Jacob Molete CEPPWAWU
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4. Tshepang Lesiba CWU
5 Nyameka Khumalo DENOSA
6. Raymond Mampuri FAWU
7. Mmasello Mahwai NEHAWU
8. Johanna Mahlobogoane POPCRU
9. Puleng Posholi SACCAWU
10. Florina Masebe SACTWU
11. Dumi Mtambo SASAWU
12. Vuyo Zali SADTU
19.Conclusion
Comrades we have travel together for the past 36 months. We could confirm that things had not been easy in this period both due to subjective and objective conditions confronting our revolution. We have been through challenging period on number of fronts but we had managed to hold the federation in the province together as the Provincial Executive Committee.
We have faced many battle fields on behalf of our members and the federation with aim of defending the working class and the poor. We have in the process also committed mistakes and it is only those who are doing something which could not commit mistakes. The arm chair critics of the revolution and political commentators will never commit mistakes as they are not anywhere to be found in the tranches.
Our Province still remain strong, united, vibrant, militant and visionary as it has been. The PEC brings this organization in the province back to its owners to assess the progress being registered and also on the setbacks which had been registered in the process.
There are many battles that still lie ahead and require the collective wisdom of the leadership of the federation. These battles require unity and cohesion among our ranks and leadership. These battles would be much more difficult with disunity and suspicions among us.
We hope that this Congress would be able to achieve its objectives and pave a comprehensive program for the federation. We hope that as we emerge in this Workers parliament all of us would really appreciate the necessity of solidarity and unity among the people. We hope as the Congress concludes all of us would be able to provide all the necessary support and loyalty to the Federation of Elijah Barayi.
We hope that as we emerge from this Congress all the delegates would appreciate the necessity of closing ranks within the workers and the working class. We further hope that as we emerge from this Congress the federation in the province would be better prepared to take the task of the working class and all of us would understand the importance of building our locals.
Our enemy is enjoying each and every moment of conflict in the federation. The enemy of our people and of our revolution should never be afforded an space or opportunity to
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dislodge the people movement. We need to go and ensure that the Alliance is strengthened and build to be strong and vibrant.
As we leave the Congress lets go back to the basic and provide basic service required by our members across the workplaces. Let’s go and build strong affiliates and strong COSATU
We lastly wish to thank all of you for your encouragements and support in the period under review. We also gladly appreciate the opportunity that you afforded us to lead you in the period under review. We fully understood that such is not a right for us but a rare opportunity that many other cadres deserve and you instead elected us as your leaders and not necessary because we know more but because of the faith and the trust that you had on us.
WORKERS PARLIAMENT
The theme of the 03rd WORKERS Parliament “20 Years of Enhancing Workers Rights through Supportive Legislation)
A successful 02nd Workers Parliament was held in 213 at Westonaria Municipality Hall, West Rand. A follow up on workers parliament to take forward the debate especially on workers’ rights was agreed upon. The third 03rd Workers Parliament was due to take place in 2014 but could not due to some technical problems.
The parliament was then postponed to May 2015 with the understanding of preparing for it as early as in 2014. This was the 3rd Workers Parliament. During the preparations for the Workers Parliament COSATU in particular failed several times to submit names in time for participants ( note that COSATU was given 416 seats compared as compare other Federations given: CONSAWU-7; FEDUSA-21 and NACTU -17) and this led to the postponement of the 2015 Workers Parliament.
Firstly we failed to send delegates to attend the training that was scheduled for 16th & 17th May 2015, Second problem is that we did not submit early names and pickup points for the 22nd May 2015 the day for Workers Parliament.
Workers complains reported to COSATU
We again report the cases received by COSATU province during the period o 2012 to 2015. Noting that members of the affiliates come to COSATU because of unhappiness with the way they are treated by their union. They are told that COSATU will not do anything with their cases, and this has proven to be true because our correspondences are not taken seriously by the affiliates secretaries and Office bearers, but still problems are not solved.
In most of the cases the problem is the representation of workers at plant/institutional level/CCMA or Bargaining Council and lastly the Labour Court. We have observed this attitude for three years and we are not getting any where due to this attitude of some union shop stewards and officials. Our organisations needs to follow the principle of “Worker Control” and reorganise ourselves in getting mandates from members; reporting back to members; convening of general meetings and be accountable to the members of which this is not happening.
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We must be like lawyers who represent their clients until the end of the case whether it’s the client is right or wrong. Then what stops us from being good representatives and save the face our glorious unions and deal harshly with those who are messing up the cases.
Our main task as COSATU is to play a role of supporting and unifying the affiliates at the same time build a warm reception to members at the offices without favour or fear. We also want to thank those affiliates that responded positively with passion when requested to deal with the workers problems. We encourage these unions to keep it up and build the federation through actions not on papers and internationally.
7. Limpopo
1. Introduction
This report serves to account for the work of the federation in the province from the 12 th
National Congress held in November 2015 to date. It will seek to highlight our strength, weaknesses, threats and opportunities facing the federation in the province and further indicate areas requiring further processing by the 13th National Congress.
2. Provincial Office Bearers
At the time of writing the report which is before our 5 th Provincial Congress, the Provincial Office Bearers remain as follows:
Name Position Affiliate
1. Cde Essop Mokgonyana Provincial Chairperson NUM
2. Cde Calvin Tsahamano Deputy Provincial Chairperson NEHAWU
3. Cde Phuti Mahlaba Provincial Treasurer SATAWU
4. Cde Gerald Mkhomazi Twala Provincial Secretary COSATU
The Provincial Office Bearers (POBs) were able to lead the federation in province and functioning in line with the constitution. We continue to communicate daily to update each other and take decisions on a number of issues relating to the federation in the province. We have attended a number of activities of the federation and affiliates in the province and national in the period under review.
3. Constitutional meetings
3.1 Provincial Executive Committee meetings
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The federation in the province was able to convene eight (08) Provincial Executive Committee meetings since the 12th National Congress held in November 2015 as follows:
14th – 15th April 2016 06th – 07th September 2016 30th November 2016 09th March 2017 6th – 7th July 2017 11th December 2017 08th March 2018 30th May 2018
It must be reported that the federation was supposed to have convened twelve (12) Provincial Executive Committee meetings during the period under review. However, due to financial constrains that was not possible.
It is also worth mentioning that all our Provincial Executive Committee meetings do form a quorum as the majority of affiliates are always in attendance.
4. State of Locals
COSATU’s Locals, which are forum of shop stewards from different affiliates and which are established in all our 26 local municipalities or sub-regional demarcation throughout our province, are what makes us unique as a Federation. They remain the backbone of COSATU because they are the delivery point of the Federation’s campaigns.
Our locals are the most basic structures of the Federation and they remain the pillar and strength on our programmes and campaigns. Their powers and duties are set out in the COSATU Constitution and they include:
Coordinating and implementing activities of the Federation determined at a national or provincial level.
Raising the level of understanding of all Federation policies amongst all members where the local operates
Ensure smooth running of all union local structures
At the time of writing this report, our province was able to re-launch 22 out of the 26 COSATU Locals and the following are the details:
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Name Position Affiliate Gender
1. AGANANG LOBs
Rosina Nkoana Chairperson SADTU Female
Peter Ntsewa Secretary NEHAWU Male
Matsobane Makhafola Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Mabitsela Sydwell Treasurer SADTU Male
2. BA-PHALABORWA LOBs
Ratombo Musekwa Chairperson SADTU Male
Godfrey Mabilo Deputy Chairperson NUM Male
Sammy Sekgobela Secretary NEHAWU Male
Naomi Chiloane Treasurer NUM Female
3. COLLINS CHABANE LOBs
Khazamula Sithole Chairperson SADTU Male
Mahlaule Tirhani Deputy Chairperson DENOSA Female
Jabulani Makhubele Secretary NEHAWU Male
Chauke Annah Treasurer POPCRU Female
4. ELIAS MOTSOALEDI LOBs
Lesiba Mashaba Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Olive Mamaile Deputy Chairperson SADTU Female
Milton Mashifane Secretary POPCRU Male
Jacky Mogadime Treasurer DENOSA Male
5. EPHRAIM MOGALE LOBs
Masehla David Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Sam Maleka Deputy chairperson POPCRU Male
Mampe A Phosa Secretary SADTU Male
Mokoena Maletsatsi Treasurer SADTU Female
6. FETAKGOMO LOBs
Jerry Nkgodi Kupa Chairperson SADTU Male
Nchabeleng Hellen Deputy Chairperson SADTU Female
Charlotte Maisela Secretary NEHAWU Female
Makgata Simon Treasurer DENOSA Male
7. GREATER GIYANI LOBs
Gift Makhubele Chairperson SADTU Male
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Name Position Affiliate Gender
Vongani Maringa Deputy chairperson DENOSA Female
Noel Ndlovu Secretary NEHAWU Male
Chuma Musa Treasurer POPCRU Male
8. GREATER LETABA LOBs
Rabothata Motsosi Chairperson SADTU Male
Mokwena Kgashane Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Mpho Sathekge Secretary POPCRU Male
Gloria Mochekgechekge Treasurer SADTU Female
9. GREATER TUBATSE LOBs
Collin Mohlala Chairperson SADTU Male
Ike Mametja Deputy Chairperson POPCRU Male
Floyd Pholoana Secretary NEHAWU Male
Anna Leseilane Treasurer SADTU Female
10. GREATER TZANEEN LOBs
President Shikwambana Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Takalani Ndlala Deputy Chairperson SADTU Female
Ignatius Mboweni Secretary SADTU Male
Patience Shingange Treasurer POPCRU Female
11.LEPELLE-NKUMPI LOBs
Lepeke Mogoshoa Chairperson SADTU Male
Ouma Nyalungu Deputy Chairperson POPCRU Female
Maepa Malegodi Secretary NEHAWU Male
Johannah Lechaba Treasurer NEHAWU Female
12.MAKHADO LOBs
Maphaha T Robby Chairperson SADTU Male
Mudau Takalani Deputy Chairperson SACCAWU Male
Erick Chauke Secretary NEHAWU Male
Tshidino Balanganani Treasurer DENOSA Female
13.MARULENG LOBs
Mhlanga Pans Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Mohlatlole Patrick Secretary SADTU Male
Maski Letsoalo Deputy Chairperson SADTU Female
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Name Position Affiliate Gender
Maile Comfort Treasurer POPCRU Male
14.MAKHUDUTHAMAKGA LOBs
Makgalatiba Irene Chairperson NEHAWU Female
Gloria Mphahlele Deputy Chairperson DENOSA Female
Maredi Kgetjepe Secretary SADTU Male
Kaizer Mashego Treasurer POPCRU Male
15.MODIMOLE LOBs
Boitumelo Motsuenyane Chairperson NEHAWU Female
Albert Maluleke Deputy Chairperson POPCRU Male
Dan Rihlampfu Secretary SADTU Male
Frans Rabalao Treasurer SADTU Male
16.MOKOPANE LOBs
Fanyana Shadung Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Kekana George Deputy Chair POPCRU Male
Sydwell Mokwena Secretary SADTU Male
Rebecca Masoga Treasurer SADTU Female
17.MOLEMOLE LOBs
Monyemangane Seja Chairperson NEHAWU Male
Mannya Ditshelane Deputy Chairperson SADTU Female
Phuti Ramokhufi Secretary SADTU Male
Magareth Machaka Treasurer DENOSA Female
18.MUTALE LOBs
Munyangane NN Chairperson SADTU Male
Tshililo A B Deputy Chairperson POPCRU Male
Mariba N V Secretary NEHAWU Male
Ragimana MC Treasurer DENOSA Female
19.MUSINA LOBs
Peter Mannie Chairperson SADTU Male
Deputy Chairperson
Corlett Nematshavhawe Secretary NUM Male
Phumudzo Tshigovha Treasurer POPCRU Female
20.POLOKWANE LOBs
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Name Position Affiliate Gender
Senoamadi Rodgers Chairperson SADTU Male
Aubrey Khwinana Deputy Chairperson NUM Male
Mavhandu Lybro Secretary NEHAWU Male
Theresia Mathye Treasurer SACCAWU Female
21.THABAZIMBI LOBs
Enock Makhubela Chairperson NUM Male
Atlanta Lekgoathi Deputy Chairperson DENOSA Male
Thabo Moseneke Secretary NEHAWU Male
Maggy Ngobeni Treasurer SADTU Female
22.THULAMELA LOBs
Shonisani Sigudu Chairperson NEHAWU Female
Ndou A D Deputy Chairperson POPCRU Male
Mashudu Masindi Secretary SADTU Male
Pharamela Jeaneth Treasurer SACCAWU Female
In order to ensure continued support and vibrant COSATU structures, all Provincial Executive Committee members are deployed permanently to work locals for the whole term of office.
The following are some of the challenges faced by our locals:
Failure by Local Office Bearers to meet in order to plan and failure to convene Local Shop Stewards Council;
Lack of understanding of roles and responsibilities of Local Office Bearers
Poor attendance at Local Executive Committee and Local Shop Stewards Councils meetings by affiliates and their members
High attendance at the time of election of office bearers, suggesting that many shop stewards see the structure as a vehicle for personal advancement.
No funds allocated for locals
5. COSATU District /Cluster
We have clustered our locals to promote better coordination and synergy of programmes in all five Districts. This clustering has assisted in ensuring that all locals are well represented in the activities of our alliance partners at regional/district level and they support each other. This is a coordinating and not a constitutional structure of the Federation and is structured as follows:
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Cluster Convenors and Coordinators Union
MOPANI
Maruleng; Letaba ; Giyani ; Phalaborwa & Tzaneen
Convenor : Rabothatha Motsosi
Coordinator : Ndlala Takalani
SADTU
SADTU
CAPRICORN
Aganang; Lepelle-Nkumpi; Molemole ; Polokwane &Senwabarwana
Convenor :Ngobeni Jimmy
Coordinator :Mavhandu Lybro
SADTU
NEHAWU
SEKHUKHUNE
Fetakgomo; Ephraim Mogale; Makhuduthamaga; Elias Motsoaledi; &Tubatse
Convenor : Milton Mashifane
Coordinator : Maredi Kgetjepe
POPCRU
SADTU
VHEMBE
Collins Chabane; Makhado; Musina; Mutale &Thulamela
Convenor : George Sithole
Coordinator : Shonisani Sigudu
SADTU
NEHAWU
WATERBERG
Bela-bela; Lephalale; Modimolle; Mokopane; Mookgopong & Thabazimbi
Convenor : Shadung Fanyana
Coordinator : Motsuenyane Boitumelo
NEHAWU
NEHAWU
6. State of affiliates
6.1 The following affiliate exists in our province:
Affiliates Affiliates
1. SADTU
2. NUM
3. NEHAWU
4. POPCRU
5. SAMWU
6. SATAWU
7. DENOSA
8. CWU
9. LIMUSA
10.SASBO
11. CEPPWAWU
12. SACCAWU
13. SAMA
14. SACTWU
15. PAWUSA
6.2 Participation in COSATU campaigns
In terms of campaigns, our strength lies within the following affiliates:
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1. SADTU
2. NEHAWU
3. NUM
4. POPCRU
5. SATAWU
6. SACCAWU
7. SACTWU
8. DENOSA and
9. CWU
With the above mentioned affiliates, the federation is able to pull out large numbers at any given point with our campaigns
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6.3 Challenges in affiliates
The following affiliates continue to have internal organizational challenges which are national in nature and character: SAMWU, CEPPWAWU, LIMUSA and SATAWU
7. Campaigns
NB: Majority of COSATU Affiliates and to some extent Mass Democratic Movement Structures were visible in our campaigns.
7.1 Back to Basics Campaign
Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
May Day Celebration
To organize the annual Workers (May) Day celebration
In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 10 to 18 hour days in unsafe conditions. Death and injury were commonplace at many work places.
Our provincial May Day was celebrated under the theme; “Celebrating 30Years and defending Collective Bargaining, Workers Jobs and Rights in Ramokgopa Stadium, Botlokwa and Lulekani Stadium in Phalaborwa.
Our May Day Rally showed a remarkable improvement. It was commemorated under the theme: “Build COSATU Engines for People's Power on the Ground, through Struggle for Ownership and Control of the Economy".
at Old Peter
About 5000 workers attended our May Day Celebrations at Mahwelereng stadium under the theme: “Building Unity and Cohesion of COSATU to advance National Democratic Revolution”. The celebration was preceded by a march from
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
The sacrifices of so many people cannot be forgotten or we will end up fighting for those same gains all over again.
This is why we celebrate May Day.
Both rallies were not well attended by workers.
Mokaba stadium. The rally was preceded by a march to Shoprite checkers demanding an end to casualization of workers and to Premiers office demanding responses on all issues raised with his office in the previous marches. +- 3000 workers were in attendance.
Mahwelereng Shell garage wherein two memorandums were handed over to mining companies – Ivan Plant and Aveng Mining.
Listening Campaign and Workplace Visit
Going back to basics. What does back to basics
mean?- Develop a language to connect
with workers- Provide Resources- Servicing of workers- Getting mandates- Give report backs- Listening to workers and
capacitate them
The Province noted the outcome of the 12th National Congress of the federation and the continued work by our National Office Bearers to unite COSATU and its unions, to defend
We engaged in a number of programmes with different affiliates
Campaign ongoing
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
- Close the social distance between leaders and workers
COSATU against attempts to entice our unions to the new Federationand its formation in the country.
We were able to assist SACTWU to establish an office in Limpopo and helped them to recruit farm workers and all workers who were abandoned by unions who later formed a new federation.
Specific attention was given to unions such as LIMUSA, SACCAWU,SAMA and SASBO
Anti-Racis
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful to
We identified Modimolle, Elias Motsoaledi, Tzaneen
We raised awareness
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
m discriminate in hiring, discharge, promotion, referral, and other facets of employment, on the basis of color, race, religion, sex, or national origin.
Harassment is a form of discrimination.
This is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
and Phalaborwa Locals as hot Spot areas.
We had a local march against racism in Tzaneen on 27th June 2016
We partnered with the PYA for an Anti-Racism march in Groblersdal on the 11 June 2016
Phalaborwa local supported a racism victim during his court appearances
through a workshop in Mopani on the ills and impact of tribalism and ethnicity in our province.
Public Service Ethos
COSATU and its affiliates committed to the campaign to change the ethos of the public service worker so that they see themselves not just as employees but as revolutionaries who have a crucial role to play in the transformation of our society, to build a better life for all.
The province participated in a Back to school campaign led by SADTU
The province participated in a Back to school campaign led by SADTU
The province participated in a Back to school campaign led by SADTUEvery year we visit different schools, good and bad performers. We listen to their challenges and achievements. However we
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
need :-to develop follow up programmes on schools visited-to strengthen our campaign on dysfunctional schools-to strengthen our campaign on “adopt a school”
Vulnerable workers
The federation has an ongoing campaign that seeks to push back against the exploitation of vulnerable workers, especially farm workers, most of whom are working in virtual slavery conditions.The federation extended this campaign to include sectors such as catering, wholesale, hotel, cleaning and private security.
We were unable to coordinate or organise any activity for domestic workers in 2016 due to limited resources, in the past years we were funded by Solidarity Centre. Workers in this sector are still joining SADSAWU and the office continue to assist them when they met
We launched a campaign against MTN working with CWU in Polokwane for exploitation of workersWe embarked on a march against MTN in Polokwane on the 04th April 2017 to expose the horrific working conditions of workers.All PEC, Regional
We are working with SACCAWU and SACTWU to organise casual and informal workers, however, we needs appropriate strategies for the vulnerable, precarious etc workers.We need to treat this as a priority by capacitating organiser, shoptewards and
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
challenges. and Local leaders joined the march in support of CWU
allocate resources to implement these strategies.
Section 77 National Campaigns:Anti Privatization, Anti Corruption,Protection of Jobs and the economy,National Minimum Wage, Taxation Laws
On the 6th August 2016 the Federation submitted the Section 77 Notice at the National Economic, Development and Labour Council [NEDLAC] in South Africa.The Notice was submitted in terms of Section 77[1][b] of the Labour Relations Act [LRA] to protest against job losses, Value Added Tax [VAT] increase and the crisis in health, electricity and transport sectors.
+- 5000 workers from Limpopo participated on National Strike on October 7th 2016National Strike highlighted the following issues:
Demand the total banning of the labour brokers.
Scrapping of the e-tolling system including the expensive toll gates
Fight in defence of our Jobs and against retrenchments.
Implementation of the Legislated National Minimum Wage.
Fight to defend and protect our Collective Bargaining Agreements.
+- 10 000 workers in our province joined COSATU-led protected socio-economic strike of the 27th of September 2017 and marched to Shoprite and to the Premiers office against state capture, corruption, job losses and labour brokering marches to drive the point home.
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
Amendment Act,Banning of Labour Brokers & NHI Campaign
Fight for compliance with Occupational Health & Safety Standards in all workplaces.
Fight for the implementation of the NHI.
Fight for the scrapping of the Taxation Amendment Law.
Demand the implementation of Free Education.
Public Transport and Etoll
The Federation is concerned about the current state of the country’s transport system. Most citizens do not have access to reliable, affordable and safe transport.
ETolls add the burdens of workers and the poor, who will be forced to pay to travel on highways which were previously free of charge. It is a lie that only the middle class
We planned to have pickets targeting the most expensive toll gates in the province.Permission was not granted by Department of Transport and Mokopane and Musina Municipalities citing that it is out of their jurisdiction.
All our endeavours to get permission to picket failed.
All our efforts to get permission to picket failed again.To continue our fight to:
Stop the privatisation of our public highways!
Reject user-pays for basic public services!
Make e-tolling unworkable!
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
use our highways. Many low income earners use private cars to travel to work not through choice but because they have no reliable alternative
Africa Day 25th May
25th May marks the day on which Africa cautiously celebrates the historic moment on which our great forbearers pioneered formation of the OAU to unite, lead and advance the aspirations of the African people, which at the time suffered colonial oppression.
We held our commemoration in Musina Local and invited foreign nationals who are within the country from Ethopia, Zimbabwe and Somalia.
We held our commemoration in Tzaneen under the theme:
“The ills and impact of tribalism” a presentation was made by Cde Rudolph Phala.This event was also joined by immigrant workers from Zimbabwe.
Youth Month
Our province successfully launched its Young Workers Forum on 29-30 June 2016.
The YWF Interim Committee developed an Action Plan with a special focus on recruitment and
Planning to have a meeting on 11 August 2018 to :
Evaluate progress made since the election of the interim
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Activity
Purpose 2016 2017 2018
The composition of the structure is as follows:
Morongwa Mothiba- Convenor
Pace Maloma- Alternate convenor
Sydwell Khoza- Coordinator
Molebatsi Malope- Alternate coordinator
Other members- Mongezi Macozoma- Khodani Magwira- Madida Malatjie
listening campaign.
committee Replace Cde
Morongwa Mothiba Mdletshe who is now a National Deputy Convenor of Young Workers. Ewe also have comrade Lerato Malatjie from DENOSA who was also elected as part of the COSATU National Young Workers Forum.
7th October
Commemoration of World Day for Descent Work
Different locals engaged in a recruitment drive focusing in the Hospitality and Retail Sector
Joined a National strike on our fight against State capture, Corruption, Job losses and labour brokering. The march was attended by +-10000 workers.
8. Trade union Education
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Our province developed a clear programme for our education and skills engagement with a clear accountability between national and provincial structures. We mobilised resources in support of our initiatives in education and majority of Affiliates contributed immensely on our initiatives and also participated in all existing programmes.
We have established and successfully trained a Provincial team of 69 Chris Hani Brigades who will play a major role in delivering membership education and deepening the political consciousness of the working class on the ground.
9. Gender
9.1 Affiliates Provincial Gender Structure
The COSATU provincial gender structure has been established as follows:
Name Position Affiliate
s
Contact
1. Cde Essop Mokgonyane POB responsible for gender
2. Cde Toekie Kgabo Convenor
3. Cde Thando Ndaba-Makitla
Chairperson SADTU
082 808 3167
4. Cde Beauty Nchabeleng Deputy Chairperson POPCRU
072 468 8498
5. Cde Wilhemina Modise Secretary SAMWU
073 977 8538
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Name Position Affiliate
s
Contact
6. Cde Mosley Molepo Deputy Secretary NEHAWU
072 102 7667
[email protected]. gov.za
Our provincial gender embarked on various activities and programmes such as celebrations of key women events, HIV/AIDS programmes, International Children’s Day, Mandela Day etc.
9.2 Affiliates Provincial Gender Structure
Affiliate Position Names Gender
Contact
CWU Gender Coordinator
CEPPWAWU
DENOSA Convenor Jacob Molepo Male 072 587 0684
Chairperson Chego Gibsy Male 076 993 2313
Deputy Chairperson
Sephogole Priscilla
Female
083 938 2967
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Affiliate Position Names Gender
Contact
Secretary Mathebula Ntsako
Female
071 027 7399
Deputy Secretary
Moyaha Martha Female
072 768 4905
Treasurer Ratshilumela Khathutshelo
Female
079 144 1612
POPCRU Provincial Gender coordinator
Beauty Nchabeleng
Female
072 468 8498
NEHAWU
Inte
rim
Str
uct
ure
Freddy Skobi Male 081 028 9549
Mehloti Ngobeni Female
073 544 1780
Ntsoaki Seleka Female
082 586 5863
Rachel Marinyane
Female
072 062 2684
Musa Kotana Fem 082
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Affiliate Position Names Gender
Contact
ale 958 2675
SATAWU
Inte
rim
str
uct
ure
Phillipine Papola Female
082 720 2127
Anna Rasebotsa Female
079 763 1420
Dorcas Masekoameng
Female
071 220 2608
Mary Mokonyane
Female
072 142 1019
Refiloe Sape Female
082 257 8021
NUM Chairperson Lebogang Mafulatha
Female
079 652 0403
Deputy Chairperson
Sarah Mokabane Female
081 859 1919
Secretary Fikile Seroka Female
071 132
320
Affiliate Position Names Gender
Contact
1178
Deputy Secretary
Marcia Nare Female
082 716 4919
Treasurer Portia Mokgotho Female
079 030 2551
SAMWU Chairperson Ivy Ncwandzule Female
073 900 0779
Deputy Chairperson
Carlton Mohale Male 083 399 8739
Secretary Welheminah Modise
Female
073 977 8538
SADTU Gender Convenor
Thando Makitla Female
082 808 3167
SAMA
SASBO
SACCAWU
PAWUSA
SACTWU
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10. Working with alliance in the province
10.1 Functioning of the alliance
The alliance has not really functioned well during the period under review. We were only able to convene one Provincial Alliance Summit in March 2016 on the insistence of the federation. For the year 2017 there was no alliance meeting held.
10.2 African National Congress
Our relationship with the ANC in the province remained cordial throughout our term, thou at times there have been tensions that we managed to resolve in most cases. At the time of writing this report, three regions (Mopani, Sekhukhune and Vhembe) have gone to their regional conferences with only two remaining. Of the two regions remaining regions, Waterberg was disbanded and an RTT appointed. The ANC Provincial Congress is scheduled to be convened on the 22 – 24 June 2018.
10.3 South African Communist Party
The federation has been working very closely with the party in the province in the period under review. We held quite a number of bilaterals as part of strengthening or relationship. At the time of writing this report the Provincial Secretary of the party, comrade Gilbert Kganyago, has just be sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Legislature, a move that we welcomed as it was long overdue.
10.4 South African National Civic Organization
Our relationship with the SANCO has been cordial during the period under review. SANCO attended most of our meetings to give messages of support. It is only of late, from early 2018 that divisions began to show within SANCO in the province with top leadership suspending each other. As COSATU we made a call for cessation of hostilities amongst the warring factions and the leadership was mandated to work together with leaders of the ANC and the party to engage SANCO with a view to resolve their differences
10.5 Working with Youth movement – the Progressive students movement
The federation met with the ANC Youth League, YCLSA, SASCO and COSAS in March 2016 as part of our programme to build a strong relationship with the Progressive Youth Alliance in the province. That meeting took resolutions aimed at strengthening
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our PYA in the province and building a solid relationship between workers and structures of young people.
11. Work with Civil Society
The federation has not been doing well in terms of our work with Civil Society in the province. It is an area that needs serious improvement going forward.
8. Mpumalanga
INTRODUCTION
The report will give a broad outline of the work done by PEC since our last Provincial Congress held in 2015 to date.
Affiliates membership trends
AFFILIATES 2012 2015 2018
CEPPWAWU 17594 16469 16469
CWU 571 287 431
CWUSA 370
DENOSA 4057 4791 4791
LIMUSA 128 463
FAWU 12051 11928
NEHAWU 25449 25795 23321
NUMSA 21116
NUM 28360 29954 27938
PAWUSA 512 36 22
POPCRU 10673 10907 10398
SACCAWU 9469 8415 8415
SADNU 371
SADTU 24754 23996 24240
SACTWU 1190 1301 2418
SAMWU 9177 10843 9872
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SATAWU 17542 21475 7200
SASFU 40
SASBO 2805 2950 3184
SAMATU 309 273
SAEPU 257
TOTAL 186 101 169 584 139692
Our membership in the province has declined from 2015 (169 584) to 2018 (139 692) since the last congress. The decline in membership can be attributed to the following factors.
Increased internal strife within affiliates which leads to poor membership service and recruitment.
The collapse in the capitalist economy which results to increased job losses.
The mushroom of counter unions which counter organise our affiliates and leads to loss of membership.
The weakening of job security and informalisation of work which adversely affect decent work.
This decline calls upon the federation to implement a turnaround strategy. It is an 18 % percent decline. We must do thorough introspection and develop measures of self-correction.
The following affiliates recruited the highest numbers of new members by far in the last 3 years namely:-
Affiliates 2015 2018 New members
SADTU 23 996 24 240 244
SACTWU 1 301 2 418 1 117
SASBO 2 950 3 184 234
CWU 287 463 176
We give credit to the above unions and call up other affiliates to emulate the good practice.
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Our top (05) biggest affiliates in the province are the following:-
i. NUM - 27 938ii. NEHAWU - 23 321
iii. SADTU - 24 240iv. CEPPWAWU - 16 469v. POPCRU - 10 398
We welcome to this congress the new affiliate that joined the COSATU family SAEPU, welcome to COSATU, and the home for workers; we hope that your presence in the province will add value to the life of the federation.
We now have 15 affiliates in the province.
The following affiliates have experienced the largest decline in membership.
Affiliates 2015 2018 Membership loss
SATAWU 21 475 7 200 14 275
CEPPWAWU 10 843 9 872 971
PAWUSA 512 22 490
It really pains us to note this disappointing downward trend of our affiliates which used to be the kingmakers of the sectors and have now deteriorated to this level. We must answer the big question.
“What is to be done”?
We have dismally failed to reach our goals of the 2015 plan.
Administration
Staff
During the three year period the office was ran by the following staff members:-
Provincial Secretary Fidel Mlombo
Thabo Mokoena
2015 – 2016
2016 - 2018
Provincial Educator/Organiser
Thabo Mokoena
James Mhlabane
2015 – 2016
2016 - 2018
Provincial Administrator Phindile Sindane 2015 - 2018
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Provincial Structures
Provincial Office Bearers
The 2015 Provincial Congress elected the following comrades as POB
Provincial Chairperson : Life Monini - POPCRU
Provincial Deputy Chairperson : Oupa Bodibe - SADTU
Provincial Secretary : Fidel Mlombo - SACCAWU
Provincial Treasurer : Pretty Makhubedu - NEHAWU
Bi – election for Provincial Secretary
The elected Provincial Secretary cde Fidel Mlombo was deployed to the Provincial Legislature as an MPL during the year of 2016. A bi – election for the filling in of the vacancy created was conducted in September 2016. The outcome was that cde Thabo David Mokoena was elected by the PEC as the Acting Provincial Secretary and subsequently confirmed by the COSATU November 2016 CEC as the Provincial Secretary to date.
Gender Chairperson
The above position is not elected by Provincial Congress but rather by the Gender conference convened immediately after the Provincial Congress and the elected chairperson is then co-opted in the POB team. The Chairperson of this structure is cde Abigail Mathebula.
All of the above 05 comrades working with the PEC, steered and directed COSATU Mpumalanga ship to where we are today.
As the report will show, we have been hard at work as a collective to provide leadership in between the PEC’s to implement the decision of PEC, Provincial Congress, National Congress and Central Committee respectively.
What made us succeed in providing the necessary leadership was team effort, honesty, openness, frank and candid engagements, our articulation and representation of COSATU positions without fear or favour.
In the course of our work as POB we had received enormous support from the PEC. Inspite of not being full time shopstewards, POB’s were able to be ambassadors of
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COSATU in meetings of Allied formations, governments, civil society, affiliates activities and broader working class.
POB’s have addressed workplace meetings of affiliates, intervened in some disputes between members and employers, addressed executive committee meetings and congresses of affiliates, and led campaigns of the federation and its affiliates. The POB’s are proud that as their term of office ends they have led a united and cohesive term of the PEC.
Provincial Executive Committee
The PEC is the highest decision making body in the province comprised of all affiliated unions under its jurisdiction. The PEC has satisfied and executed its mandate as per the constitution.
In spite of the many challenges and constraints the PEC has done fairly well.
The PEC led the charges on all fronts in particular mass mobilisation during the campaign against the expensive toll – gates, the national days of action in 7 th October, the campaign in support of Gender struggles and Affiliates campaign for better conditions of service and international solidarity campaigns.
The PEC carried all directions and decisions of all the CEC/ Central Committee and National Congress directed to going forward. The PEC should address the following weakness.
Provisions of solidarity for inter and intra affiliates disputes. Provide adequate monitoring and support to affiliates. Implement plans to grow in line with the adopted 2015 plan objectives Jealously protect the unity and cohesion of the ANC so that together with the
alliance can lead and see the logical conclusion of the NDR to Socialism.
Provincial Shopstewards Council meeting
For the period under review we have held our PSSC on record time as per our constitutional provision demanding that we hold two Provincial Shopstewards Council meetings per annum.
Largely our PSSC meetings are supposed to be gatherings of our entire site, shaft shopstewards. However due to the geographical spread of the province affiliates are unable to transport all and sundry due to resource constraints.
Our average attendance to the PSSC has been 500 shopstewards per meeting.
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We however have noted a decline in attendance of our PSSC meeting compared to other years. This can be attributed to increased internal strife and loss of focus on issues that matters the most to the ranks and file of our membership. All those have led to despondency and loss of interest in the federations activities.
Whatever the reasons we must continue to deepen our mass mobilisation and come more ready to take forward and direct their organisational interests, this is the only guarantee for the survival of our movement and the revolution.
In 2016 we have rolled out the CR17 campaign; we have introduced a new innovation. We have held Regional Shopsteward Councils with particular focus on centres where COSATU membership is concentrated namely:-
Ermelo - Covering the whole of Gert Sibande Region.
Middelburg - Covering the areas of Nkangala Region
Nkomazi - Covering the area of Ehlanzeni Region
Bushbuckridge - Covering the area of Bohlabela Region
This strategy and approach has proven to be quite successful and worked for both COSATU and for the advancement of the CR17 campaign.
Going forward, the incoming PEC should discuss the following:-
When and under what circumstances should we decentralize our shopstewards councils.
How to implement the principles and traditions of affiliates site/shaft shopstewards councils before the COSATU shopstewards council as this is vital for mandate seeking processes.
The lack of office bearers and organisers of affiliates in shopstewards councils. Mechanism to be found where affiliates will report on matter that will require
practical solidarity for affected members either on industrial actions, strikes, retrenchments and all related matters.
PEC Sub committees
Secretariat forum
This is a sub – committee of the PEC constituted of all secretaries of affiliates shared with the responsibility to ensure implementation of the decisions of PEC and CEC respectively.
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For the most part, the structures has met to execute its functions outlined above, notwistanding the challenge of poor attendance by some secretaries.
The secretariat forum remains a critical component of our organisational machinery because of its capacity to provide both strategies and operational methods to enhance informed decision making.
Going forward the performance of the forum could be enhanced by ensuring that all secretaries attend meetings at all times.
Secretaries must carry their staff by ensuring that they hold regular report back meetings to their staff, PEC and organisers on matters relating to COSATU decisions.
Secretaries must ensure that all COSATU decisions are implemented.
Political Commission
This sub - committee deals with all matters of political nature constituted by COSATU POB’s and affiliates chairpersons.
The subcommittee became useful as we were navigating towards the ANC 54 th National Conference in NASREC.
The commission assisted the PEC by ensuring that a detailed analyses and robust political discussions happen at this level to provide the PEC with a clearer understanding and interpretation of the current political discourse.
Last year we have convened extended political commission meetings that included Provincial Chairpersons and Secretaries of affiliates to deepen our engagements of the political discourse. It is as a result of intense and robust engagements that COSATU was vindicated in the 54th ANC National Conference.
Socio Economic Commission
By and large this subcommittee’s role is to be seized with all matters pertaining to the socio economic transformation in the province and advise the PEC correctly.
The commission drove the task team establishment of the challenges confronting the public sector from 2015 as a result of the unilateral implementation of the moratorium in employment of public service workers.
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Secondly, in 2016 the commission was instrumental in driving the first ever workshop on the implementation of NHI and also discussed the Provincial Economic strategy by DEDET.
Finance Committee
The FINCOM should be attended by Treasurer of all affiliates.
As a matter of practice the PEC resolved that it will only consider financial statements from FINCOM, as a result of these conditions, we had to ensure that FINCOM takes place before any PEC to interrogate our financial affairs before they are put before the PEC.
FINCOM has executed its work with diligence
Going forward affiliates must pay attention to the attendance of all Treasurers of affiliates for oversight purposes.
In the instance where Treasurers are unable to attend FINCOM, Secretaries of affiliates must attend as decided by the PEC.
Education
The COSATU 2015 plan defines priorities, benchmarks and core strategies for taking forward the National Democratic Revolution. Amongst the strategies identified by the 2015 plan is the creation of a large pool of cadres with organisation, political and ideological depth.
The plan further acknowledged that working class power can only be built in a situation where there is a deliberate and sustained cadreship development program, such a program of education should deepen members understanding of the current phase of our struggle, the challenges it poses and the most appropriate current phase of our struggle, the challenges it poses and the most appropriate strategy and tactics to be employed to defend the NDR.
Through the assistance by our Head Office and other institutions of education delivery we have successfully held the following education programs in the province for the period under - review.
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COSATU MPUMALANGA PROGRAM ON TRAINING
DATE NUMBER
OF
TRAINED
COURSE/ WORKSHOP FUNDER COURSE/NAME CONDUCTED
20 - 22.04.2017 127 Need of shop steward workshop
NSF Political work shop @ Nelspruit Mbhombela Stadium
23 – 25.05.2017 84 Organizing &Negotiations Skills Strategies, Tactics Collective Bargaining Trends; Labour Law;Leadership
Ditsela Ditsila work shop@ Nutting House Nelsprut
08 – 10.11.2017
17.11. 2017
186
22
Provincial Gender Conference
CCMA
NSF
CCMA
Gender Workshop@ Nomdeni Lounge
Presentation on the National Minimum Wage Bill,2017& the Basic of Employment Amendements,2017
06 – 09.03.2018
02.05. 2018
18
15
Train The Trainer Education Skill
Stakeholders-unions forum
Ditsela
CCMA
Train The Trainer Workshop@ Fortis Hotels Witbank
CCMA users’ forum @ CCMA Training room Witbank
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17.05. 2018
25 – 26.05. 2018
33 Locals Summit
ANC
Back to Basic Shop steward
Election Campaign Managers workshop
Thabo Mokoena
James Mhlabane
ANC National
COSATU Basic Shop Steward &@ Bethal council chamber
Election Workshop @Ehlanzeni District Municipality Council Chamber Mbobela
29 – 30.05.2018
08.06.22018
CCMA work shop
CCMA users workshop
Dispute Management & Negation Skills
Presentation on the National Minimum Wage Bill,2017 & the Basic Conditions of Employment Amendments,2017
CCMA
CCMA
CCMA workshop @ Witbank Training Room
CCMA workshop@ Witbank Training Room
14.06. 2018 Ditsela Work shop
Peer educator program by Ditsela on unionism & Legislation
Ditsela work shop Ditsela workshop @ Wesselton community hall ( Ermelo)
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Organising and Campaigns
The Days of Action October the 7th
For the period under - review COSATU CEC had resolved to hold national days of action in order to tackle the socio economic challenges confronting workers and the working class in general. The following days of actions were undertaken in the province.
The COSATU in Mpumalanga convened two protest actions. The protest actions were convened in line with the COSATU protest against state capture and corruption.
Integrated Campaign
The campaign was held against the background of the phenomenon of state capture and the cancer of corruption and criminal acts, which rob the people of South Africa of their livelihoods, stealing of resources which lead to job losses and perpetual poverty.
Attendance to the events
The march in Witbank attracted ±5000 participants.
The march in Nelspruit attracted ±3000 participants.
Overall impression
The overall success of both events can be attributed to the full commitment of all COSATU affiliates without exception. There was marked improvement noted from the rank and file of our members who travelled by foot and others used their own vehicle.
We give gratitude to all community members, alliance partners and affiliates of the federation.
Public Sector Campaigns in the province
We have observed with disappointment the ground swelling discontent amongst the members of our affiliated unions in the public sector. The above can be testified by the following industrial actions led by the following COSATU affiliated unions and can be summarised as follows:-
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Protest actions by public sector unions
In 2016 POPCRU led a protest march to the Provincial Legislature to complain about the non - implementation of collective agreements and challenges in to relation threats of their job security. The unilateral decisions that affect employment relations and structure within the Department i.e. the reduction of the working hours and giving preference to some members within the traffic department.
In October 2016 POPCRU also staged a sit in at the office of the Department of Correctional service in Bethal protesting against rampant corruption and nepotism by the Commissioner.
In October 2016 DENOSA led a protest action to the MEC of Health amongst the issues that were raised was the following:-
The shortage of staff as a result of the negative implication brought on by the moratorium of personnel employment.
The lack of adequate working facilities such as equipments and medical facilities.
The non-employment of the Nursing Directorate. Poor safety and security standard which resulted in the killing of the
Doctors and a Nurses. All these happened during working hours. The snail pace in the implementation of NHI.
In October 2016 NEHAWU led a protest action to the Premier’s offices amongst the issues that were raised was the following:
The negative impact brought by the moratorium on employment. The non-implementation of long standing collective agreements Inadequate working facilities. Poor safety and security for staff members.
In September 2016 SADTU led a protest action to the MEC’s offices. Amongst the issues that were raised were the following:-
The negative impact brought by the moratorium on the employment of staff.
The non-implementation of collective agreements
INTERVENTION BY THE FEDERATION
Subsequently to all the industrial actions COSATU deemed it necessary to make the following interventions:-
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The engage with the Alliance Provincial Secretariat to present the issues for resolution.
To constitute a provincial public sector task team whose mandate will be to find amicable measurers of dealing with the challenges above.
The alliance agreed to facilitate a meeting between the public sector unions and their relevant MEC.
The meeting discussed the following issues in dispute.
The negative impact brought the moratorium on the working personnel.
Non implementation of collective agreements. Poor safety and security in workplaces. The meeting also agreed that all sector related challenges
must be deferred to sector departments.
The hardest hit departments were education and health.
INTERVENTION BY THE PREMIER AND CABINET
After a long protracted struggle the matters were elevated to cabinet and a breakthrough was made.
The following were registered as successes:-
That the introduced budget austerity measures are reviewed with a budget improvement from (One million five hundred and fifty seven thousand, forty seven rands (R1, 557, 47 000.00) to Seven hundred and forty seven million, eight hundred and one rands (R7, 47,801 000.00).
That Acting allowances be paid retrospectively. That all critical vacant substantive posts are filled without delay. That there will be total upliftment of moratorium in the health department to
be implemented without delay.
That the labour employer task team is constituted to ensure that the above agreements are fully implemented.
The following will outline the progress achieved with regard to the implementation of the agreements.
Retrospective payment of acting allowance
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Exco approved that departments pay the acting allowances within the required amount will be made available within the existing budget.
Provincial Treasury will provide departments access to the Persal function of creating posts so that the posts are created in order to make the payments.
Upgrading of salary levels (Level 9 and 11) Departments have complied with the Executive Council resolutions number 86 of
2016 Abolished posts which were upgraded could not be elevated since there are no
warm bodies occupying those posts. There is still unequal grading of posts with similar function; a case in point is the
labour relation practitioners. Posts which were omitted (not evaluated previously) must be included in the
evaluation process underway for other levels.
Progress report on the filing in of critical posts.
To date the Department of Health has advertised and filled in 552 posts. The department of education has advertised 370 school support staff and issued of letters to 158. One post filled through transfer, two posts re- advertised.
The department will continue with preparations to advertise the more posts when conditions permits.
The SGB recommendations are still awaited for remaining posts.
The progress achieved in the two departments is as a result of the fact that the moratorium has been uplifted.
Report on identified critical posts
A total number of 1074 funded critical post have been identified
Departments are required to ensure that the identified funded critical posts are accommodated within the current Compensation of Employees (COE).
The Government Labour Consultative Task Team (GLCTT) notes the report and support for its presentation to EXCO in ensuring that the identified critical posts are filled in departments.
The summary of identified posts is as follows;-
Critical posts
NAMES OF DEPARTMENTS CRITICAL
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FUNDED POSTS IDENTIFIED
Office of the Premier 42
Education 213
Provincial Treasury 06
Economic Development and Tourism 02
Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs 26
Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environment Affairs 53
Health 558
Human settlement 31
Community Safety, Security & Liaison 23
Sport, Culture & Recreation 32
Social Development 70
Public Works, Roads & Transport 20
TOTAL 1074
PROGRESS REPORT ON LILY MINE AND UMBHABA FARM
Developments on Lily Mine
To date the progress registered is that R200 000.00 hundred in compensation has been paid to the affected families of the three trapped workers and that ten thousand (R10 000.00) initial compensation for the 57 rescued workers of the fifty thousand rands has also been paid as per the promise made by former Minister Msebenzi Zwane (DMR).
The operations have since been suspended. The mine has been put under a rescue plan and workers are left in the ledge without any income.
The federation has resuscitated a new process towards the re- opening of the mine. A meeting has been scheduled with DMR, the rescue practitioner and workers of Lily Mine a meeting was scheduled for the 19 June 2018.
The purpose of the meeting was to engage with all the relevant stakeholders on finding measurers to ensure that operations are reopened in Lily Mine, the retrieval mission is resumed and workers receive what is due to them.
Developments on Umbhaba Estate
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The conflict between the employees of Umbhaba and Umbhaba Estate management started in 2014 when the worker’s wanted to be represented by a union, the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU). Subsequent to this a series of events happened:-
Upon refusal by the employer to recognize FAWU as representative of employees, FAWU declared a dispute with Umbhaba and the matter was referred to CCMA.
The attorney of the worker’s reported that the chances of winning this case at CCMA were slim because according to the attorneys of Umbhaba, the workers were not dismissed because of their demand for belonging to a union, but for misconduct during the strike. During the strike, the business operation of Umbhaba was disrupted; fields were burned damage to other company properties and workers were beaten and intimidated.
Umbhaba took a video footage of the whole event during the strike. As a result 276 employees were then charged with misconduct and dismissed.
Office of the Premier is leading the Umbhaba discussions with the steering committee comprised of different Government Department and DARDLEA servicing in the committee.
The Chairperson of the House of traditional Leaders Inkosi Ngomane supported the initiative of finding agricultural land to be used by Umbhaba former employees. The traditional leaders of KaHhoyi, Siboshwa, Mangweni (Kwalugedlane), KaShongwe and Mlambo agreed to provide land.
The office of the Premier conducted a profile of the affected employees
Profile of the former employees:
Age group Total Male Female
35 and below 310 103 207
36 – 54 517 111 406
55 and above 80 20 60
TOTAL 907 234 673
Members without ID’s 128
Several meetings held with the beneficiaries to find out those who are interested in farming.
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Area Numbers DARDLEA’s intervention
1. Ngomane (1) 31 Local Chief allocated a portion of communal land.
1. Ngomane (02) 171 Conducted agricultural potential evaluation and GIS soil suitability
1. Ngomane Ward 7
1. Siboshwa Ngomane
20
23
The preliminary results indicates the following:-
Water scarcity
Poor soil condition for significant farming activities
Size of the land can only support subsistence farming activities.
Land and surrounding areas over grazed
Commercialization and market access limited in the area
1. Shongwe 93 Local Chief allocated a portion of communal land
To conduct agricultural potential evaluation from 06 – 08 June 2018.
1. Mlambo – Mbuzini 57 Local Chief allocated a portion of communal land
To conduct agricultural potential evaluation from 06 – 08 June 2018
1. Mawewe 12 Awaiting response from the tribal council on land allocation
TOTAL 407
Other programmes Not all former employees are interested in farming. Young people may be channelled to other skills as recommended by the portfolio
committee. Programmes such as the Fortune 40; EPWP and other training skills offered by
different institutions operating in the province must be explored. The office of the premier has scheduled a meeting with the following
stakeholders to find and determine a lasting solution for these Umbhaba former employees.
Stakeholdersi. The office of the Premier
ii. Departments of Social Services including SASSAiii. Department of Agricultureiv. Department of Rural Development and Land Reformv. Department of Labour
vi. Department of Education
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vii. COSATU
SACCAWU Shoprite Campaign
The union had embarked on the campaign to raise the following issues affecting workers.
SACCAWU note that whilst Christoffel Wiese and the PIC are the major shareholders within the company, Shoprite Checkers management continues to undermine the decent work agenda as well as programmes aimed at eliminating poverty, unemployment and inequality. Recent revelations of a corruption scandal involving the former Steinhof CEC raises serious questions about business practices of both these major shareholders. The fact that plans were afoot for Steinhoff (led amongst other by Mr Wiesel) to acquire a sizeable stake in Shoprite (also led by the same Mr Wiesel) in order to create a super – retailer should be a cause for concern as it represents economic gangsterism, where one person creates a conductive environment to sell shares across companies to themselves in order to derive maximum returns. When this happens, it is workers that stand that stand to lose our and became sacrificial lambs, as at most instances condemned to the ever increasing pool of joblessness and swell the ranks of the unemployed.
Shoprite claims in its 2017 Report that
“Shoprite however remains dedicated to transformation and will endeavour to maintain their strong commitment to sustainability and broadening of the formal economy.”
We continued to increase black representation in the group and we are proud to be the largest private sector employer. Our commitment towards developing skills has increased significantly as we strongly feel that education is a key element to changing people’s live.
The same annual report further claims
“Shoprite’s employer value proposition is BeMoe because we understand that our success is built on hard work, passion and skills of our people. We lead the sector in providing training opportunities for our employees and those looking to enter the retail sector.
These sweet words ring hollow when we consider the following facts:-
Whilst the company claims to be the largest private sector employer in the country, a rough estimate of about 80% of its employees are in precarious part time jobs with no guaranteed minimum number of hours per month
They disregard the Code of Good Practice on arrangement of working time in designing and arranging shifts.
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They unilaterally change working hours of employees without any consultation. They have failed and continue to flatly refuse to provide safe and reliable
transport for workers locked into late trading shift arrangements. Their approach to Executive pay only serves to widen income inequalities. They acknowledge that the turnover for part – time workers is very high and
were at 55.46% at the end of 2015 slightly declining to 55, 22% at the end of 2016.
They have since unilaterally reduced the number of working hours for part time workers and thus reducing their income.
They dismissed more than 20 workers at Checkers Sandton for standing up and protesting against unilateral changes to their shifts and working hours.
They have resorted to threatening workers with reduction of their working hours for exercising their protected right to withdraw their labour.
As consequences for the aforegoing, SACCAWU demands the following:-
An immediate end to, and reversal of the unilateral changes to working hours; including reinstatement of Checkers Sandton workers who were dismissed for protesting against such unilateral changes to their working hours.
Provision and payment for safe and reliable transport for workers who work late shifts.
An immediate end to reduction of working hours of part – time workers A guaranteed minimum number of working hours for part – time workers.
Gender
The following covers a brief overview of the subcommittee activities
Elected leadership:-
Cde Abigail Mathebula : Chairperson (SADTU)
Cde Patience Mahlangu : Deputy chair (NEHAWU)
Cde Doctor Zwane : Secretary (DENOSA)
Cde Dudu Matsobane : Deputy Secretary (NUM)
Phindile Sindane : COSATU Gender coordinator
The summit held on the 29 – 30 August 2016, the national summit and the following was resolved
That mandate from the Summit was to have Gender Policy, constitutionalizing gender structure in COSATU, meet twice a year to plan and monitor programs, our term is 3
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years, establish gender structures in affiliates, have programs that will address inequality, abuse and discrimination.
Meetings, programs and envisaged campaigns
This structure had their first meeting on the 22 March 2017 at COSATU house, Khellinah Shoba boardroom, formulated a Year planner and agreed that they will all affiliates to submit year planners so that it can incorporate to one Provincial year planner or program of action. We also at the looked state of the federation as it was going through difficult times, offensive of our dictators was gaining momentum as those who wanted to liquidate were gaining strength, we also looked at the budget of gender in COSATU.
Issues that were discussed were also the abuse across the society, (drug abuse, sexual orientation, patriarchy and all perception that demystify, vulnerable workers, racism crime as worrying factor, pleasure executives harassed by police and functionality of COSATU locals and all affiliates. We then realized this structure has a massive task to transform society, workplace with customs that are detrimental, therefore in our program of action we included that so that it finds expression within broader society.
ON GENDER SCHOOL
We held our Gender School at Nomndeni Lodge in Nelspruit on the 08 – 10 November 2017
Under the THEME: COMBAT WOKPLACE DISCRIMINATORY GENDER NORMS AND ENHANCE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The Gender School was attended by 136 participants from COSATU affiliates and different presenters from various Departments and the alliance, in an inquest to discuss gender theory and gender tools of analysis. Further to engage on our organizations policies strategies and structures form gender perspective.
To develop an understanding of the gender legislative framework that exists to promote and protect Gender Equality from home, work school, organizations, Political space and in society.
Campaigns
The following were adopted as gender campaigns:-
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Encourage workplace transformation activism (employee and unions) to challenge unfair discrimination practices and transform gender relations, by launching active and capacitated gender structures
Conduct continuous advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and educate employees and employers on Employment Equity Acts compliance to enable equitable representation of employees from different race, gender, disability groups, pregnancy, sexual harassment and HIV in the workplace
Ensure that women effectively participate in and benefit from development on an equal footing with men and invite Office of the Premier for more understanding on issues of gender and enjoy fruits of freedom
Ensure the empowerment of women through gender mainstreaming as gender analysis provides basis for gender mainstreaming and described as differences in roles conditions, needs, participation rates, access to resources, development, control of assets, decision making power, in short an understanding who in the population is affected, how they are affected, what they need, with view to identify key issues contributing to gender inequalities then attain gender equality
Commission of Gender Equality (Act no 36 of 1996) to promote and monitor gender equality in government’s implementation of the Bill of Rights as contained in the constitution and educate the public about their rights
Enforce implementation of National Development Agency Act, (Act no 108 0f 1998) which seeks to contribute towards the eradication of poverty
Launching of more male gender champions and create a strong network so that it will accelerate transformation of gender equality
Let’s have programs in affiliates and in COSATU that will allow collective efforts to correct gender inequalities, invite the affiliates and federation
Deepen our understanding on CCMA so that our members can benefit from fair representation and invite all relevant departments like Department of Labor, CCMA, Home Affairs, Masters office and Pension fund department to explain the Amendments of the Acts and other important issues which requires clarity in our workplaces or gatherings.
Challenges
1. Coordination of programs2. Budget constraint of COSATU gender and affiliates3. COSATU constitutional imperative as being silent on gender, hence we must
discuss it and include it in the constitutional amendments in the coming local, provincial and national congress
4. Establishment and functionality of gender structures in all affiliates5. More gender workshops and monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of the
trainings6. Invitation of COSATU gender structure in the union meetings.
The following affiliates are urged to establish gender structures
CEPPWAWU, SAMWU and SACCAWU.
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ON GENDER POLICY
COSATU gender structure has been effectively used by the Gender policy since 1985 when COSATU as the framework and adopted in 2000 as consolidated resolutions.
The Gender Policy has been operating for 15 years and need to be adopted by congress. This policy was reviewed later by the NGC made as a draft policy that went to National Congress as a proposal. The main objective of the Gender Policy was to intensify the transformation struggle to ensure that the legislative measures are put in place by Government and are translated into concrete measures for women, in particular the working class women and the poor. The policy had to deal with serious areas of concern and much sensitive matter such as:-
Policy on Sexual Harassment
Noting the following points:- Integration of women into the male dominated sectors is met with resistance
from male counterparts and employers.
Sexual Harassment is still not taken seriously.
Women are taken as sex objects despite the efforts of Awareness campaigns.
Absence of policy guide on handling cases of any form of gender based violence in the workplace.
COSATU must confront these issues looking at the vision of non-sexist society where women must be treated as dignified human beings and that it should not constitute barriers to women participation, therefore the policy needs to be adopted by congress and in order to be used for the protection of its members in particular, against any form of abuse.
Close the gaps on gender issues that are not taken seriously
We have noted with dismay that issues on women empowerment has been moving a snail pace, while steps should be taken to empower and strengthen the gender structures, the leadership of women and their activism.
Correct the unevenness of gender issues across COSATU provinces and structures.
We therefore resolve that COSATU National Office bearers ensure the implementation of the policy and integrate it in the post 2105 plan.
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To outline the role and composition plus power of the gender structure.
Gender structure be represented in COSATU constitutional structures.
Support and resources for gender programmes be provided in all levels.
Regular and quarterly reports are submitted by affiliates and provinces to COSATU gender Unit.
On Mandela Day
We were part of the cleaning campaign around Nkomazi where gave food parcels to an elderly women who resides with their grandchildren.
We handed out dignity packs to grade 7 girls in one of our primary school in Nkomazi.
Donate a wheelchair and blankets to the old age home in Witbank. NUM to donate food parcels and clothes to an orphanage Middelburg COSATU local gave unemployed soup with bread.
Women Celebration
SADTU held their celebration in PietRetief, the celebration was a success and it was graced by the presents of women leaders and COSATU 2nd Deputy President cde Zingiswa Losi and Head of NGCC cde Getrude Mtsweni.
NUM celebrated women’s day in style in a casual way. They held a march that was focusing on Gender Base Violence issues and again this year they will be hosting Khellina Shoba memorial lecture @ eMalahleni Civic theatre.
On 16 Days of activism
Distributed dignity packs to Lindela Primary school in Ermelo.
Challenges
Looking at our position as the federation we are limping, it becomes very hard to run with our scheduled meetings and more often cdes are office bearers in their affiliates. We still intact as the collective, however we will be focusing on the 16 Day of activism, which kick start on the 25th November and end on the 01 December 2017.
Wayforward
All of us we need to ask ourselves what are the plans of our union of federation to implement gender equality, to strongly promote women in leadership and to seriously take up issues affecting women at the workplace, share success in the union and in the workplace. I also strongly believe that can assist in developing the potential of women leadership in the trade union movement by building the confidence of women to be effective leaders within the labor movement and active members of society, building the
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knowledge and skills required to take up gender issues in the union and the workplace and lastly to reassure our male comrades whilst we do all what we plan to do.
Lastly we need to develop a COSATU gender audit tool which will reflect analysis and indicators.
The launch of the National COSATU Young Workers forum
The National young workers forum was eventually launched on 20 -22 April 2018 under the theme:-
“Promoting the rights and diversity of young workers in the workplace and trade unions.”
The following were elected committee members:-
Coordinator Cde Xolani Fakude SADTU
Deputy Coordinator Cde Siboniso Nkomonde SACTWU
Convernor Cde Lefa Phatsoane NUM
Deputy Convernor Morongwa Mothiba NEHAWU
Additional members
Sibonelo Tshabalala - SACCAWU
Lerato Malatjie - DENOSA
Makuwa Kgaladi - SAEPU
Thandi Mrwarwaza - SASBO
The Mpumalanga Young workers forum task team was launched on the 23rd June 2017.
The following were elected as committee members:-
Coordinator Cde Mzwandile Vilakazi NEHAWU
Alternate Coordinator Cde Bizzah Mtubatse NUM
Convernor Cde Sfiso Khatshwa DENOSA
Alternate Convernor Ntombi Mabanga SADTU
Additional members
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Sunnyboy Chauke - SADTU
Enock Mogale - NEHAWU
Bongi Masango - NUM
Emelda Maphanga - SACTWU
Nombulelo Phakathi - DENOSA
Themba Ntimane - SAMWU
May Day celebrations
For the period under review COSATU has successfully conducted the following May Day celebration.
May Day 2016
We had convened two May Day celebrations in Bushbuckridge and Steve Tshwete municipalities with the total attendance of 5000 participants for both events
For the year of 2017 COSATU revised her approach of hosting the May day celebrations in order to attract attendance to the events.
The meeting noted with serious concern the poor attendance at the Steve Tshwete May Day celebration.
The meeting resolved that in future the province should consider hosting only one May Day celebration.
May Day 2017
We had convened one May Day celebration in a form of a protest march to Umbhaba estate.
The celebrations was convened as part of the COSATU Back to Basics campaign whose purpose is to take forward the following;-
Servicing and listening campaign Protection of the rights of farm and vulnerable workers Campaign for accessible and affordable public transport. Recruitment campaign Campaign for the uplifment of moratorium of employment in the public
sector.
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Integrated campaign
The 2017 May Day celebration the activity was for the purpose of defending the rights of farm workers. The choice of the venue was informed by the need for intervention in the Umbhaba Estate farm where workers are denied the right to exercise the right to freedom of association and to further enhance the campaign to defend vulnerable workers, particularly farm workers in Mpumalanga whose rights are highly violated and trampled on.
All the build - up events to the May Day celebrations were used to take forward the COSATU Back to Basics campaign.
Successes
The following can be registered as a success of the event. That the new approach has aroused interest of workers participation to the event
hence the noted improvement of attendance of 7000 participants. That the new approach has revived the back to basics campaign of COSATU and
restored the militancy and confidence of COSATU. This is testified by the growth of COSATU affiliated union to the targeted sectors.
Challenges
The following are challenges noted:
That our reliance to government departments open COSATU to vulnerability of manipulation by well-coordinated of government officials regarding their corrupt practices. COSATU can be viewed as an accomplice to corruption.
Secondly this over reliance leads to internal strife within the federation hence we had noted a sense of displeasure from comrades of the hosting local in Nkomazi who were suspecting foul play on pert of COSATU official specification the provincial secretary and organizer. Further details will be outlined below.
Recommendation
Commitment by affiliates to ensure the success of the May Day celebrations is still problematic. Most affiliates did not play their roles with regards to mobilization and provision of transport for the celebrations.
May Day 2018
Program and Attendance
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We had convened one May Day rally which took form of a protest march, workers gathered in Mpumalanga stadium in Ermelo and proceded to the office of Land Affairs offices to handover a memorandum.
The estimated attendance was ±6000 participants
The event was used to raise plight of farm dwellers and workers. The following atrocities meted against the victims were raised during the march:-
Fight against illegal evictions Fight for compliance of ESTA regulation. Fight for burial and visitation rights of the affected families. Fighting against corruption in the administration of land claims Fighting for the compliance of labour legislation by farmers
Assessment and Recommendations
The overall commitment by our affiliates was exceptionally good hence the success of the rally
We however must raise our concern regarding affiliates that are experiencing internal strife their participation has been fairly poor. We therefore recommend that COSATU work harder to efficiently assist those affiliates.
STATUS OF COSATU LOCALS IN THE PROVINCE
STATE OF COSATU LOCALS
Herewith we present the brief status report of our COSATU locals.
NKANGALA Locals
Thembisile Local
Mike Mahlobogoane Chairperson SADTU
David Ntuli Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU
Themba Ntimane Secretary SAMWU
Joe Mnyakeni Treasurer POPCRU
Victoria Masango Gender SADTU
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The above is the leadership collective
The local is struggling to hold meetings and no reports are submitted to the province. They have once attempted to hold a shopstewards council without success in their previous term of office.
Moretele Local
Briaan Manyaka Chairperson SAMWU
Lucky Sithole Deputy Chairperson POPCRU
Dikeledi Moselane Secretary NEHAWU
Mapule Mmekwa Treasurer NEHAWU
Annah Mabhena Gender SADTU
The local is also struggling to perform with no report submission. We have not yet received any report regarding their meetings. The local attend PEC meetings regularly.
Siyabuswa Local
Sipho Mahlangu Chairperson NEHAWU
Simon Mahlangu Deputy Chairperson SATAWU
Khalo Mahlangu Secretary SADTU
Piet Matlala Treasurer POPCRU
Thokozile Mahlangu Gender DENOSA
The local is said to be having some activities on the ground but very little is coming forth in terms of reporting. The local attend PEC meetings regularly.
Witbank Local
Jomo Khalipha Chairperson SADTU
Godfrey Dladla Deputy Chairperson SAMWU
Gqamile Sukazi Secretary SADTU
Pebetsi Moretsele Treasurer CWU
Lucky Dlamini Gender NEHAWU
The local is based at the provincial office very little has been reported regarding its activities. The local had been very inconsistent with regard to attendance of PEC meetings.
Middelburg local
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Permelly Mile Chairperson NEHAWU
Xolile Cele Deputy Chairperson SADTU
Elphus Mohlahlo Secretary NUM
Naomi Mokoena Treasurer DENOSA
Thulile Mnisi Gender POPCRU
This locals is doing well in terms of its activities we receive constant feedback. Meetings sit as required. The local is active and participate in local election campaigns. The local attends PEC meetings regularly.
Belfast local
Delly Lushaba Chairperson SAMWU
Abel Mokwena Deputy Chairperson POPCRU
Themba Lukhele Secretary NEHAWU
Sabelo Chauke Treasurer NUM
Ayanda Bhembe Gender NEHAWU
The local has finally launched after a long struggle. They have already submitted their programme the local is promising.
Delmas local
Sam Lekhuleni Chairperson SAMWU
Sam Nkhombane Deputy Chairperson NUM
Enno Mngcina Secretary SADTU
Stanley Mabena Treasurer NEHAWU
Thandi Nkabinde Gender DENOSA
There are no reported activities in terms of the work of the local. We have not yet received any report regarding their meetings. The local attends PEC meeting regularly.
Ogies local
Vusi Nkosi Chairperson SAMWU
Nkoketso Mathabatha Deputy Chairperson SATAWU
David Mngwevu Secretary SADTU
Tebogo Modipi Treasurer NUM
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T Mathibela Gender NEHAWU
There is general lack of commitment amongst local office bearers who have simply decided not to be active in local activities. Only the secretary and chairperson remain active in trying to salvage the local. This local needs to be revived.
Kriel local
The local has since collapsed needs to revived
Hendrina local
Charles Masilela Chairperson SADTU
Simon Mashiloane Deputy Chairperson POPCRU
Gilbert Mahamba Secretary NEHAWU
Sello Mahlangu Treasurer NUM
The local has finally launched after a long struggle. We hope that the elected leadership carry out its mandate.
EHLANZENI LOCALS
Matibidi local
Ndala Chiloane Chairperson SADTU
Mokgadi Maphoto Deputy Chairperson SADTU
Fanny Mohlala Secretary NEHAWU
Hekky Molobela Treasurer NEHAWU
Thabiso Sekgobela Gender NEHAWU
The local is responsive when requested to provide information to the province. We must however indicate that very little is reported regarding the local initiating its own programs.
Hazyview local
Sunday Manana Chairperson POPCRU
Collen Lubisi Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU
Sipho Thulare Secretary SADTU
Nkosinathi Khoza Treasurer DENOSA
Beauty Dibakwane Gender SAMWU
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There are no reported campaigns and activities from the local. The chairperson is working very hard to keep the structure alive.
Lydenburg local
Owen Shabangu Chairperson POPCRU
Eric Kgopane Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU
Solly Mathoto Secretary SADTU
Solomon Mpinga Treasurer NUM
Thabitha Nyundu Gender SADTU
The leadership collective is fairly new attending PEC meeting regularly. They have shown some commitment of their willingness to work. We hope that given the necessary assistance the local will do well. The local submits its report.
Barberton local
Makhosonke Magudulela Chairperson NUM
ML Kgomoshwane Deputy Chairperson SADTU
Moses Msibi Secretary NEHAWU
Vusi Mahlalela Treasurer SAMWU
David Ntjana Gender CEPPWAWU
The local has been revived after a long struggle. We are hopeful that the newly elected will bring a sigh of relief.
Nelspruit local
Thelma Mabunda Chairperson SADTU
Morris Nkosi Deputy Chairperson POPCRU
Diketso Khaile Secretary NEHAWU
Shierlah Maile Treasurer CEPPWAWU
Themba Nxumalo Gender NEHAWU
The local is kept active due to expectations by the Provincial office. There are no reports regarding the initiatives by the local. Their attendance to our PEC meetings is inconsistent.
Nkomazi local
Henry Silinda Chairperson NEHAWU
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Nkosinathi Mkhwanazi Deputy Chairperson SAMWU
Johnny Mashabane Secretary SADTU
Lucy Vilakazi Treasurer SATAWU
Lindelwa Mabuza Gender NEHAWU
This is one of the best performing locals in the province. Local activities are received as expected. The local is very instrumental in defending the struggle of farm workers at Umbhaba estate.
Bushbuckridge local
Moses Mogakane Chairperson SADTU
Ephraim Sekatane Deputy Chairperson SAMWU
Edward Mashego Secretary NEHAWU
Innocentia Muller Treasurer NEHAWU
Iva Modiba Gender SADTU
The local activities are not reported. The leadership collective is quite experienced. They have hosted a very successful 2016 May Day celebration. The local is active in our PEC meetings.
Sabie local
The local has since collapsed needs to revived
GERT SIBANDE
Ermelo Local
Ntokozo Maseko Chairperson POPCRU
Aggy Mahlalela Deputy Chairperson SADTU
Mduduzi Madonsela Secretary SAMWU
Ngangabantu Dladla Treasurer DENOSA
Siboniso Hlophe Gender SATAWU
This is one of the very active locals in the province. Reports are received as expected. The local remain vibrant. The challenge is brought by the rival to SATAWU that is DETAWU. They participate actively in our PEC meeting. The local has recently hosted a very successful 2018 May Day celebration.
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Leandra Local
The local has since collapsed and need to be revived.
PietRetief local
Mandla Nkwanyana Chairperson POPCRU
Mandla Jele Deputy Chairperson CEPPWAWU
Thokozane Sibiya Secretary NEHAWU
Princess Bangwa Treasurer SADTU
Duduzile Nhleko Gender DENOSA
This is one of the best performing local very consistent in submitting reports. The local has submitted a program and has been very active during elections work.
Elukwatini local
Sipho Yende Chairperson NEHAWU
Hezekiel Ndlovu Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU
Nephtal Magagula Secretary SADTU
Vonani Ngobeni Treasurer DENOSA
Sifiso Zulu Gender POPCRU
Like many other locals very little is known on the activities of the local due to lack of proper reporting the locals and has always been doing a sterling job in mobilising for the campaign on Swaziland struggle. The local is consistent regarding their attendance of PEC meetings.
Standerton local
Mbali Luthuli Chairperson SADTU
Paseka Tsotetsi Deputy Chairperson NUM
Bongani Vilakazi Secretary NEHAWU
Velile Nyembe Treasurer POPCRU
Mratuwa Mnisi Gender SAMWU
Since its launching this local has proved beyond doubt to be one of the best performing locals, very active in all respects. The life of the local can be fully attested because of their constant feedbacks.
Secunda local
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Mduduzi Mazibuko Chairperson NEHAWU
Michael Phiri Deputy Chairperson NUM
Jeffrey Matjoala Secretary CEPPWAWU
Senzeni Bukali Treasurer SADTU
Philisiwe Ndawonde Gender SACCAWU
This is one of the best performing COSATU local in the province. Very vibrant active in all respects constitutional meetings are sitting as expected. Constant reporting is received by the provincial office. The local is facing a threat of AMCU and NUMSA seeking to liquidate CEPPWAWU in SASOL. The local is very active in our PEC meetings.
Carolina local
Obedient Mhlanga Chairperson SAMWU
Lawrence Mngcina Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU
Mthokozisi Thobela Secretary POPCRU
Ovy Ngwenya Treasurer SADTU
Ntombikayise Simelane Gender DENOSA
The local has woken up from a long period of slumber. It has finally launched after a long period. Since the inception its new leadership the local is showing signs of vibrancy. They have hosted a very successful June 16 activity and is doing well on the recruitment campaign for SACCAWU and other vulnerable workers.
Balfour local
Phillip Maseko Chairperson SAMWU
Laiza Zulu Deputy Chairperson NEHAWU
Kabelo Lekitlane Secretary SADTU
Tholo Khumalo Treasurer NUM
Mhlekazi Jele Gender NEHAWU
The local is performing well in terms of its activities.
Summary of the state of our locals out of the 26 locals the 23 are active.
COSATU intervention to assist struggling affiliates.
We have developed a program to assist struggling affiliates with internal challenges and labour related issue. The program is targeting the following affiliates.
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CEPPWAWU
COSATU has launched the recruitment drive in Secunda with a view of consolidating the strength of CEPPWAWU. The affiliate has convened its Regional Congress successfully on the 28 February 2018 - 02 March 2018 we hope for better organisational cohesion in the union.
SAMWU
COSATU has held a bilateral meeting with SAMWU office bearers on the 23 March 2018 with an intention of establishing challenges confronting the union; secondly the federation has started engagements with the new MEC of COGTA in order to develop strategies of creating labour harmony and to deal with the offensive targeted at liquidating SAMWU.
The perceived organisational confrontation between NEHAWU and SAMWU in the area of Chief Albert Luthuli has been resolved. The two unions are no longer counters organising each other.
SATAWU
The union has deepened organisational crisis. The union Head Office had recently dismissed its Secretary. We have since referred the issue to COSATU head Office.
LIMUSA
In order to strengthen and build LIMUSA the federation has provided for an office space, access to telephone and photocopier facilities in order to enhance improved membership service.
The COSATU PEC had resolved to provide resource capacity to the affiliate in order to advance her quality work
We note reluctance on the part of affiliates to commit on tangible resource capacity to the union. The federation has since released a letter requesting financial commitment from affiliates but in vain.
9. North West
NORTH WEST PROVINCE REPORT TO THE NATIONAL CONGRESS Introduction
The congress takes place a year wherein the entire South Africans and the world celebrate the centenary of historic icons Tata Madiba Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu.
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We need to remember their contribution in the struggle of liberating our people particularly the working class. Tata Mandela says this when he was addressing COSATU May Day “one of the greatest achievements of our young democracy is to ensure that the rights and the interest of the workers are protected as never before. Our new constitution consolidate the gains of years of struggles by organised workers”
New laws and policies are restoring the dignity of workers. They are creating a frame work for substantial improvement in the working condition. The Labour Relation Act and the Basic Condition of Employment bill proposes further significant improvements. That is why the National Executive Committee of the ANC has endorsed the principles underpinning the bill.
The economy is on a path to sustain growth, to create the jobs and the resources that will improve the quality life. That is the objective of the government strategy for growth, employment and redistribution.”
It is 21 years after our icon Tata Mandela echoed those words, now this congress need to evaluate or assess progress on the following;
Job creation Economic growth Condition of employment for workers as per the BCEA Protection of workers’ rights as per the LRA
In response to the above we need to remind ourselves of the federation’s critical objectives
Securing social and economic justice for all workers Understanding how economy of the country affects workers and formulating
clear policies on how the economy should be restructured in the interest of the working class.
Encouraging all workers to join progressive and democratic trade union. Striving for a united working class movement regardless of race, colour, creed,
gender or sexual orientation.
We convened this 5th Provincial Congress just five months before 33rd Anniversary and our theme is “Building Unity and Cohesion of COSATU to advance the National Democratic Revolution”
Indeed for us to realise or achieve these Giant federation’s objective and goals, we must implement our slogan “An Injury to one is and injury to all” and carry out the following task.
1. Organise national industrial trade union financed and controlled by their members through democratically elected committee (structure)
2. Organise the unorganised workers and … effective trade union based on the democratic organisation of workers in the factories, mines, shops, farms and other workplace.
3. Unify national trade union under COSATU leadership.4. Combat the divisions amongst the worker of South Africa and unite them into
confidence working class formations5. Encourage democratic workers organisation and leadership in all spheres of our
society together with other progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggles.
6. Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggle.
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Our 4th Provincial Congress took critical decision on how to realise our objective, our responsibility was to ensure that we implement them and more importantly to address the following; Give quality service to members Confront and fight racism and domestic violence Fight labour brokers, casualisation and exploitation of workers Fight corruption across municipalities, government department and private
sectors Strengthening unity and cohesion amongst affiliates Practicalise solidarity within our unions.
In conclusion we need to commend all affiliates who have carry out certain tasks contained in our constitution to protect, represent and their member’s rights.
This congress need to critically discuss the role and functionality of our Locals as the engines of the Federation.
The congress takes place after the 54th National Conference of ANC, provincial congress of SACP and 14th National congress of SACP, therefore it is our responsibility to constructively engage resolutions of our alliance partners and ensure that they are implemented.
ORGANISATIONAL
POBS
POB’s have been working as collective and continue to manage the affairs of the Federation and attend all activities of Alliance and the Affiliates amid the vacancy of Deputy Chairperson which occurs after the Former Deputy Chairperson was elevated by his union to head office.
Amongst the current Provincial Office Bearers the chairperson is the only one who has served full time after been elected from the 4 th Provincial Congress, the two which is the Provincial Secretary and the Provincial Treasurer serves between the periods after vacancies’ occurred.
The Provincial Secretary was elected at the PEC to replace the former Provincial Secretary who is now the Deputy General Secretary and the Provincial Treasurer was also elected at the PEC after the then Provincial Treasurer resigned from her employment and subsequently ceases to be an Office bearer.
This is are some of issues we engaged on during the period under review
We ensured that all activities of the Federation took place as per the yearly POA.
We attended locals amid challenges wherein there was lack of support from some Affiliates’ by not releasing shop stewards.
We ensured that all decisions of higher structures are implemented
We had engagement with some Affiliates’ and address their challenges.
We had bilateral with Alliance Partners and shared our POA.
The congress in 2015 elected the following comrade
Provincial Chairperson: Solomon Lekhu
Deputy Chair Finah Setshedi
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Provincial Treasurer Anna Oageng
Provincial Secretary Solly Phetoe
In the national congress in 2015 comrade Solly Phetoe was elected as the deputy General Secretary then comrade Job Dliso was coopted tp fill the vacancy
In the process comrade Anna Oageng resigned from the employer and therefore she had to vacate the position as she was no longer a shop steward in her affiliate the position was then filled by comrade Sankie Molefe until the end of the term
Comrade Finah Setshedi was appointed as an official in her union which then made her not to be eligible to occupy the position as elected and the post was left vacant till today
The POBs are now as follows:
Provincial Chairperson: Solomon Lekhu
Deputy Chair Vacant
Provincial Treasurer Sankie Molefe
Provincial Secretary Job Dliso
PEC
All our PEC’s has been sitting as per the constitution; we have no single PEC that has not formed a quorum throughout the term. The chairperson is the only Office bearers who served full time, the two Provincial Secretary and Provincial Treasurer come between the term after the Former Provincial Secretary elected as the Deputy General Secretary and the Provincial Treasurer resigned from his Affiliates. We had vacant position of Deputy Chairperson for a year after the then Deputy Chairperson from Denosa was promoted/ elevated to Head office of the union. The following Affilliates constitute our PEC in the Province
NUM
SADTU
NEHAWU
SACCAWU
DENOSA
POPCRU
CWU
CEPPAWU
PAWUSA
SACTWU
LIMUSA
SAMWU
SAMA
SASBO
SATAWU
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SAEPU
The following Affiliates disaffiliates from Cosatu during the period which is FAWU and SASAWU
The Following Affiliates’ are not in good standing
SAMWU
CEPPAWU
LIMUSA
STATE OF THE AFFILIATES
Our affiliates still face some challenges in the province of which some are political while others are organisational. The most recent challenge that most of the affiliates are confronted with is the formation of the new federation SAFTU which is establishing unions in all sectors where we organise. The most affected affiliates are SADTU; SAMWU; NUM and SATAWU. Some of the common challenges on affiliates are:
Capacity to service members Union bashing by the employers and political attack in the public sector Attack of workers by hooligans during union activities Killing of workers in the platinum belt. Social distance between elected workers and worker Labour brokers and temporary employment Employers working with rival unions against COSATU affiliates Declining of our membership Racism at the work place which rife in the retail and farming sectors Non compliance with the labour laws that is LRA; BCEA and OHSA Lack of transformation and the rising scourge of gender based violence Poaching amongst the affiliates of the federation
The table below shows the membership statistic over the past three years. The provincial membership has declined by over 33000 which is about 24% of the total membership as at 2015 congress. If the analysis is done over a period of three years the decline equals to 128049 members which translate to more than 50% of the membership in the province
There are also some union which shows some increase if the reference point is 2015 but a net decline if the reference point is 2012. We also note that there are unions which have consistent membership for past six years and others for the past three years which mean that there is no proper membership verification or the union does not have membership systems.
There are three reasons for the decline which are 1. Disaffiliation by members from some unions. 2. Retrenchments and 3. Resignation from the union due to dissatisfaction or being recruited by rival unions.
The congress must find time to discuss a proper recruitment strategy in order for the federation to grow or we it will die in our hands
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Membership statistics and growth/ Decline
AFFILIATES
MEMBERSHIP 2012
MEMBERSHIP 2015
MEMBERSHIP 2018
GOWTH
% GROWTH
CONGRESS DELEGATES
Status
1 CEPPWAWU
9289 7314 7314 0 30 Not in good standing
2 CWU 565 227 393 166 73 5
3 DENOSA 4811 5247 5247 0 0 35
4 FAWU 8029 9948 0 0 0 0 Disaffiliated from the federation
5 LIMUSA 0 97 249 152 157 5 Not in good standing
6 NEHAWU 17929 18224 16860 -1364 -7 68
7 NUM 112008 45389 28977 -16412 -36 117
8 PAWUSA 487 223 157 -66 -30 5
9 POPCRU 9723 10128 10398 270 3 43
10
SACCAWU
7386 7386 7386 0 0 31
11
SACTWU 850 651 653 2 0 5
12
SADTU 16771 15589 14239 -1350 -9 58
13
SAEPU 0 0 179 179 100 5
14
SAMA 297 273 255 -18 -7 5
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15
SAMWU 8247 8291 6629 -1662 -20 28 Not in good standing
16
SASBO 2505 2364 2308 -56 -2 10
17
SATAWU 13706 8325 5917 -2408 -29 25
18
SASAWU 576 671 0 671 -100 0 Disaffiliated from the federation
TOTAL 235210 140252 107161 -33091 -24 462
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Summary on the State of affiliates report
Affiliate State of the affiliate Challenges Campaigns
CEPPWAWU The union has seized to participate in the activities of the province due to internal challenges which most of them are national. It also failed to be part of the last congress in 2015 due to the same challenges. The leadership for the province is as follows:
Joe Dube chairperson
Jacob Malete Deputy chairperson
Charles Mhlongo Treasurer
Educated Nkosi Secretary
The union has been affected by the challenges which are in the union at the national level. There is a challenge of capacity to service members in the province as both regional offices which are supposed to work with the province are in Gauteng and one in the North West.
There are no campaigns reported during the period under review, most of the workers are in the Bojanala and DR Kennet Kaunda
CWU The union remains to be stable given the sector in operate from. It has a challenge of resources to allow the office bearers to be able to do the union work and that of the federation when they are deployed. The leadership for the province is as follows:
Chris Gaqha chairperson
Lawrence Gaetswe Deputy chairperson
Michael Selebalo Treasurer
Lucky Sello Secretary
Kate Madikwe Deputy Secretary
Though there is a minimal sign of growth in this union it is still faced with the challenges of retrenchment due to the nature of the sector it operates on. There are high level of job losses while some workers in the sector are reluctant to join the union due to victimisation and the nature of contract they enter into with their employers
There are no specific campaigns to report during the period under review but the union has been participating on the campaigns of the federation
DENOSA The union has been stable in the province until recently where they had leadership challenges in that provincial Secretary has been suspended for organisational reasons. The union has a tendency of
The union is faced with the challenges in the department of health where they are facing intransigent management which does not have the interest of the workers at heart. The members
The union has been working with its sister affiliate to fight corruption in the department. It has
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high leadership turnover in that most of the POBs were not able to finish their term of office. It is able to attend the activities of the federation and it is represented in a number of locals. The leadership for the province is as follows:
Motlalepule Maikepa chairperson
Grace Mogotsi Deputy chairperson
Boitumelo Malebo Treasurer
Motlalepule Ramafoko Secretary
are not paid their dues on time and there is rampant corruption in the department
also been dealing with issues of transformation at the colleges of Nursing in the province
FAWU The union has disaffiliated in 2016
NEHAWU The union has stabilised during the period under review and have shown signs of maturity. It is able to carry out its work directed by its structures and able develop and sustain its provincial program. The leadership remains intact and there are few changes from its last congress. It has been the political leading loadstar in the public sector in the province. The leadership for the province is as follows:
Elizabeth Mogotsi chairperson
Leanord Choeneemang Deputy chairperson
Mpho Sereme Treasurer
Patrick Makhafane Secretary
Toffies Moemi Deputy Secretary
The union is faced with the challenges in the provincial administration where they are facing intransigent management which does not have the interest of the workers at heart. The members are not paid their dues on time and there is rampant corruption in the province. The leadership is been threatened for taking up the issues of the workers and leading the campaigns of the union.
The union took a lead on the campaign against corruption and maladministration in the province. It has been the spear of the federation when it comes to issues confronting the public service. It has lead several campaigns against the provincial administration of which some were OHSA related while other were against corruption and exploitation of workers
NUM Both regions have been stable until recently when we were informed of the suspension of the Regional
The union is attack by rival union which were historically not organising in the mining sector
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secretary of Rustenburg and later the disbandment of the whole leadership of the region. Matlosana region has been the most stable of them but Rustenburg had leadership turnover in particular in the secretariat The leadership for the province is as follows:
Matlosana region
Khaya Ngaleka chairperson
Thandikhaya Fentel Deputy chairperson
Naledi Tsipane Treasurer
Masibulele Naki Secretary
Pumla China Deputy Secretary
but have now shown interest. There challenges of adherence to the OHSA in most of the mines and there is a rise in mine accidents. There is a high level of turnover in the ownership of mines and in the process workers loses some or part of their benefits. In the Rustenburg area in some mines workers life’s are threatened for joining the union
PAWUSA The union exist in the Vryburg area and it only active during the provincial congress. The leadership for the province is as follows:
M Matolong
Chairperson
N Molefe (f)
Deputy chairperson
B Molapong
Secretary
Z Sibanda Treasurer
The union is not active at all; the union is only active during May days and congresses.
No campaigns are reported to the federation.
POPCRU The union is stable in the province and has representation in most of the locals. They have fulltime shop stewards in their entire locals and their local structures are in place. The leadership for the province is as follows:
The union have shown a slight increase in membership which shows that the work they are doing is starting to pay off. There are challenges of untransformed managers in the sector they organise. There also challenges of safety in the
The union is fighting cases of lack of transformation in the sector it organises in. There are still elements of racism in some police
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Solly Lekhu chairperson
Johnny Dingake Deputy chairperson
Johnny Mekgwe Treasurer
Ouma Mokokong Secretary
Gaolape Seokolo Deputy Secretary
workplaces stations. The has been attempting to increase membership through rigorous recruitment campaign
SACCAWU It has now become a norm that the union will have a new secretary from every regional congress as this is the most contested position in the union. Despite this the union remain stable in the province on the region of the North West Vaal but the other region is not participating on the activities of the province. The leadership for the province is as follows:
Patrick Hailane chairperson
Zweli Moyo Deputy chairperson
Tshepi Skosana Treasurer
Frans Jonaf Secretary
Most of the employers in the sector which the union organises do not comply with the BCEA and the OHS. Some do not even register their employees with the UIF. There is still racial discrimination in particular in the retail sector. There is an increase scourge of sexual harassment and gender based violence in that workers are victimised for refusing to do sexual favours to their superiors.
The union is faced with job losses in all the sectors its organises on. There are many workers in the scope of the union who are vulnerable. There are challenges of adherence to OHSA and BCEA by most employers in this sector. They are action on the wage increase at shoprite checkers
SACTWU The union has shown signs of stability in the province and it has begun to do a lot of work in the province. It is active mostly in the constitutional activities and in the provincial campaigns.
The union has been engaged with the recruitment campaign as it was assigned the responsibility of taking care of the farm workers after FAWU disaffiliated. There have been activities in the Ventersdorp and Brits areas to try and organise workers
All the union offices are in Gauteng and therefore there is a challenge of membership service in the province
SADTU The union remains stable and is able to perform its responsibilities are require by the constitution and higher structures. It has been able to convene a congress as required. The leadership for the province
The union has been engaged with recruitment in the TVET sector as it is a new sector for it. It has been engaged on the campaign to make all temporary teachers permanent and to ensure that
The union is faced with rampant corruption and nepotism in the department. It is also
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is as follows:
Mxolisi Bomvana chairperson
Thabo Modutwane Deputy chairperson
Nancy Thipe Treasurer
George Themba Secretary
Conny Motingoe Deputy Secretary
the teachers are paid what is due to them confronted with intransigent management which resist transformation in the sector
SAEPU The union has recently been admitted in the federation and we have not yet seen their presence in the province
The union has recently been admitted in the federation and we have not yet seen their presence in the province
The union has recently been admitted in the federation and we have not yet seen their presence in the province
SAMA The union activeness has reduced and it has now turned into a PEC and congress union and does not attend other activities. The leadership for the province is as follows:
Dr. Mashele
Dr. Mangwane
Dr. Leburu
The union activeness has reduced and it has now turned into a PEC and congress union and does not attend other activities
SAMWU The stability of the union has been affected by the challenges taking place at national level. The provincial structure remains intact while there is an element of doubt in its regions The leadership for the province is as follows:
Tshepo Goralotse chairperson
Hamlet Bogosi Deputy chairperson
The union is faced with challenges of unstable political environment in the municipalities. The workers are victimised on the basis of their affiliation to the union. There is high level of corruption and nepotism in the municipalities
The union has been engage on the campaign to force transformation in the municipalities and to fight corruption and maladministration. The union is facing attack from rival unions from the new
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Zukiswa Vesi Treasurer
Vincent Diphoko Secretary
federation
SASAWU The union has disaffiliated in 2016
SASBO The union exist in the Potchefstroom area. Since its reregistration there have been very little activities of the union.
The union is struggling to recruit members and grow
SATAWU The union remains stable in the province despite the national challenges. The union has not been able to go to congress due the national crises The leadership for the province is as follows:
Modise Mokoka chairperson
Maggy Majelwa Deputy chairperson
Vacant Treasurer
Alpheus Phala Secretary
The union has been part of most of the provincial campaigns organised by the federation in the province. It has led a national strike though it was affected by the unrest which erupted in the province
The union is faced with job losses in all the sectors its organises on. There are many workers in the scope of the union who are vulnerable. There are challenges of adherence to OHSA and BCEA by most employers in this sector.
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Gender 1. Introduction
This report will cover activities after Mandela day 2016 due to the dysfunctional structure that was elected from 2015, therefore the task team was established leaded by the gender deputy secretary (comrade Gaolape Seokolo)and the treasurer (comrade Vivian).
Elected Gender Office Bearers 2015 -2017
Position Name Affiliate Gender
1.Chairperson Sompisi Lerato NEHAWU F
2.Dep. Chairperson Sankie Molefe NUM F
3.Secretary Leokaoke Gladys SADTU F
4.Dep. Secretary Gaolape Seokolo POPCRU F
6.Treasure Vivian Mokgothu SACCAWU F
2. Office Bearer designated to the structure
North-West Province deputy chairperson comrade Fina Setshedi was a designated to the gender structure. She supported the structure until she was deployed to nationally by her affiliates DENOSA. The structure was operating without designated office bearer
3. CAMPAIGNS
Activity Objective Location Responsibility Resources
Meeting
7 July 2016
Finalise preparation of Mandela day
COSATU house Affiliates gender structure
catering
Mandela
18 July 2016
Distribution of shoes, food and old clothes
Rekgonne COSATU affiliates gender structures
Transport; Catering
Cleaning
3.1 Workshop
Shop steward training on gender and equal pay for work of equal value The workshop was held on the 17th – 19th November 2015 (Johannesburg). The workshop was facilitated by International Labour Organization (ILO). The aim of the workshop was to empower shop stewards on Gender and The Code of Good Practice on Equal Pay/Remuneration for work of Equal Value under Section 54 (1) of the Employment Equity Act, 1998
3.2 Mandela 2016
The gender structure held a special meeting on the 24th June 2016 preparing towards Mandela day after considering the background and challenges experienced by Rekgone care centre:
It is a centre situated at Avonster farm 10 km from Schweizer Reneke, an elderly and sick care centre mainly admitting adults as far as Taung, Rustenburg to mention few.
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The centre was established in 1999 but under the new name it started in 2012. It is a registered centre with no government funding currently relies on pensions of those adults only to function. It has a bed capacity of 60 but admit more at times.
CHALLENGES:
No Funding by the government.
few Bedson dilapidated conditions
Building paints in some section peeling of
External lighting therefore posing major security risk.
Curtains
Safety clothes for volunteers
Garden equipment’s
TVs, dining tables and there is a need for upgrading dining hall
Signage board for the centre
Cleaning materials
The following decisions were made:
The gender structure to implement Mandela day activity as per the year programme on the 18th July 2016.
The activity to be held at Rekgonne care centre (identified by the Mamusa local) situated at Avonster farm 10 km away from SchweizerReneke.
Task team comprising of the PS, PGOB, LOB of Mmamusa, Saccawu gender coordinator of Vryburg and Denosa gender coordinator of Taung was established.
Task team to visit the care centre on the 30th June 2016 at 11h00 to do some research in order to assist.
COSATU to adopt the centre and bring sustainable changes.
COSATU gender structure to hold activities annually at the centre.
To write letters to request for donations (services) from the following department:
Social development.
Health.
Public Works.
Home Affairs.
Sassa.
Gift of the givers.
ANC.
Institutions like:
Furnisher shops.
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Building materials e.g. Cash-build, Build-it, Builders, SENWES, Rock, CTM, Handy house etc.
Groceries e.g. Spar, Pick en Pay, Choppies, Shoprite, Checkers Hyper, Clicks, Pep store, China shops etc.
Signage board to reflect COSATU logo on.
To cost and submit budget for the activity.
To invite 10 members per affiliate to attend Mandela day.
Sponsors to the activity Department of public works ANC Department of rural development
Challenges
After Mandela day the structure was dysfunctional and no longer in full complement, due to the status of gender chairperson no longer attending, gender secretary who is no longer a gender convenor at her affiliates and gender deputy chairperson who was elected as COSATU provincial treasurer. The deputy secretary does attend the PEC. The remaining office are two, therefore literally there is no structure;
Recommendations
Therefore there was an interim task team that was formulated to render gender program. The task team consisted of POPCRU, SACCAWU, SATAWU, SAMWU leaded by deputy secretary (Comrade Gaolape) and treasure (comrade Vivian)
3.3 . VISITING FARMS
Our South African people living in farms still experience brutal working conditions, unfair labour practice and stay/live in horrific condition on daily bases, there still lot of work to be done to ensure that our peoples living in farms are treated with respect and dignity. The programme ‘’ improving farm kids and their families’’
FARM SCHOOLS VISIT
Targeted school Contact Activity Responsibility
Reagile Primary school
Syferfontein farm school
Maseko Leaners without uniform
No shoes
No birth certificates
PGOBs
Affiliates gender structure
Nkagisang Farm school
Grade R-7
Mr Steven Nyaope
082 717 3013
Distribution sanitary pads = 75
Learners without birth
Certificates / parents no ID’s = 135
Affiliates gender coordinators
Matlosana local
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Leaners without uniform = 300
Setumo Intermediate
School (Stella) grade R- 7
Mrs Gil (053) 983 0324
580 girls
Leaners without uniform +/- 40
Leaners without birth certificate most
Tshirologo Primary School (Ventersdorp)
Grade R- 7
Mrs Motlhoiwa
082 207 1651
Leaners without uniform +/- 15
No grants 30
Girls 230
No birth certificate and parents no ID’s
Ikhutseng Middle School
Witpoort farm
Ventersdorp
Grade 1 -10
Mrs Vivie Learners without uniform
No birth certificate
The farm schools were identified in Ventersdorp as per the COSATU PEC resolution that the structure together with local must run the program on identifying disadvantaged school kids particularly on farm to be provided with sanitary towels and work with home affairs and social developments for assistances
On the 19 June 2016, the gender task team visited the Reagile primary school and Sysferfontein at Syferbult Venterdorp (next to each other) under the “caring for the poor and giving dignity to a girl child”.
The needs are as follows; 1) Uniform2) Clothes3) Counselling for parents 4) Sanitary towels in future5) No birth certificates 6) Transport to school
Recommendations
The structure resolved to request the relevant department to assist with donation of shoes, health issues, birth certificates and identity documents for parents without.
The following were part of the event;
Department of community safety- provide shoes
Department of health send mobile clinic gave medications and health talk to parents and learners
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Department of home affairs: register the learners without birth certificates and parents for ID documents
Sassa help other to receive grants
The structure prepared meals and give used clothes to parents and kids.
Program of action for 2017
ACTIVITY RESPONSIBILITY PURPOSE DATE
Child care Day
Mandela day PGOBs
Affiliates gender structure
Contribute 67 minutes by spending time with ; i)
Granny of Nombulelo, 123 year old granny and 74 year old granny stay in farm
18/07/2017
Picketing PGOBs
Affiliates gender structures
Picketing at Klerksdorp court against the murderer of Nombuyiselo Nombewu. Case was postponed to the 29 September 2018
31/07/2017
Women’s day celebration
PGOBs
Affiliates gender structure
March against GBV 9/09/2017
Skills conference for gender structure
Organiser/ Educator
POBS
Affiliates gender structure
Policy educations
Elections of POB
23-25 August 2017
3.4 Mandela day 2017
The PEC members and gender structures contributed 67 minutes by spending time by doing the following;
i) Cleaning the house of granny to Nombuyiselo and also social workers gave counselling to the family ,
ii) Provided TV and stove to a 123 old granny iii) Visited a 74 old granny whom COSATU prevented her to be evicted by a
farmer and the department of Agriculture to provide jojo tank for her
And also COSATU provided cakes to all of them
3.5 Picketing
The case the murderer of Nombuyiselo Nombewu 15 year old girl was burned and killed was postponed to be held on 29 September 2017, and is continue to July 2018.
Challenges
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The picketing on September 2017 was well attended by affiliates gender structures, alliance and churches. After the postponement there was poor attendance but the picketing will continue again in July 2018
Recommendation
The structure to inform and remind the structures to attend
3.6 GENDER BASED VIOLENCE MARCH 2017
The attendance on the 9th August 2017 was not satisfactory but we are happy that the message has been send across, affiliates who supported was SACCAWU, SADTU, SATAWU and NUM, PEC members from POPCRU, SACCAWU and POPCRU and SACP and SANCO NEC
The march was led by Deputy President of SACCAWU comrade Phetlhe and COSATU deputy general secretary comrade Solly Phetoe (CEC) and all provincial secretaries
The memorandum was just read and because SAPS delegated were the junior officer to receive, COSATU POB resolved that they will take the memorandum to the Provincial Commissioner and raise our concerns that they were undermined
Pictures
4 PROVINICIAL GENDER COUNCIL
The gender structure in the province is holding its congress since the last PGC held October 2015 at Ngwenya hotel. The structure is the subcommittee to the PEC; it makes recommendation and ensures that the gender program is implemented.
The provincial skills conference for gender structure under the theme "Combat workplace discriminatory gender norms enhance skills development"
The gender policy and policy on preventing and handling of sexual harassment was discussed to be implemented.
COSATU and its affiliates are guided by a vision of a society free of sexism, racism, class exploitation, and other forms of oppression. We envisage a future where women participate equally in the economy and society without barriers, and were women are emancipated from all forms of oppression in the household, the workplace and in the broader society. We have a vision of a trade union movement as a home for women workers.
It is very significant that we clarify our understanding of gender relations. This is imperative in order to understand gender oppression and develop strategies to eradicate this form of oppression. Too often, the concept of gender and sex are used interchangeably while in essence they are quite different. The most common misunderstanding of concept of gender is that it simply means addressing men and women concern equally. This effectively ignores unequal power gender relations and undermines the central objective, which is the emancipation of women.
Sex refers to biological difference between men and women. Gender on the other hand refers to socially constructed and culturally defined differences between men and women. It is therefore not natural but created through socialisation using institutions such as families, church, religion, education and schools, the state and the economy. In addition gender relations refer to the unequal power relationship between men and women.
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On the 25th August 2017 the following comrades were elected;
Position Name & surname affiliates Gender
Chairperson Khutlang Lethena DENOSA Male
Deputy chairperson Kedibone Motshwaedi NUM Female
Secretary Gaolape Seokolo POPCRU Female
Deputy Secretary Vivian Mokgothu SACCAWU Female
Emerging from this conference it was declared to:
Build a strong gender structure which is able to take the program of the federation in the province and the country forward.
Campaign for fair gender practices and representation in the federation and its affiliates and the society at large.
Combat any form of gender based violence and homophobia in all workplaces and everywhere in the society where it rears its ugly head.
Condemn any abuse of the gender struggle to perpetuate the status-quo. Take up all the gender activities including celebrating gender thematic days of the
country and internationally. Use skills development to combat discriminatory gender norms in all workplaces. Campaign against all forms of gender based violence and any other gender
discriminatory forms. Campaign for empowerment of women using skills development in all workplace
and in all levels.
The position for the treasurer is not available the gender doesn’t have budget it relies provincial budget.
4.1. Statistical Gender Analysis in Affiliates.
The table below intends to make an analysis on trends observed on gender breakdown amongst affiliates.
AFFILITES CHAIRPERSON M/F
SECRETARY M/F
Percentage (%)
01.CEPPAWU M M 100%
02.CWU M M 100%
03.DENOSA F M 50/50%
04.FAWU M M 100%
05.LIMUSA M M 100%
06.NEHAWU F M 50/50%
07.NUM M M 100%
08.POPCRU M F 50/50%
09.SACCAWU M M 100%
10.SACTWU F M 50/50%
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11.SADTU M M 100%
12.SADNU M M 100%
13.SAMWU M M 100%
14.SATAWU M M 100%
15.SASAWU F M 50/50%
16.SASFU M M 100%
17.PAWUSA M M 100%
18.SASBO M M 100%
19.SAMA M M 100%
The above table clearly indicates that chairpersonship and secretariat positions are still dominated by male. As the federation we need to ensure that women are above 26% as it reflects above and do more to advance women. Capacity building programmes to be intensified.
5. Meetings
Meetings are held as per year program.
Recommendations:
Affiliates to celebrate program/campaigns jointly e.g. may day Gender to be visible in all COSATU campaigns Gender based violence in the farms, mines including in the community Affiliates to submit programs and reports. Affiliates and PEC to give the gender structure full support.
5.1. Campaigns
5.1.1. Anti-crime march
The anti-crime march was supposed to be held on the 24 November 2017 at Rustenburg but due to lack of support from affiliate it was postponed; therefore structure resolute to continue with that Provincial Anti-crime march that was postponed last year (2017) to continue with it; to take place during woman’s month on the 15/08/2018 at Rustenburg, where it will be for sensitising the community about ‘’ The struggle against GBV, increased crime rate and also celebrating woman’s month’’. Affiliates are urged to avail themselves to ensure that this march becomes a success.
5.1.2. Farms
Family that lost their 3children from the fire tragedy, residing at Phakela farm 10 kilometres from Tigane to Ottosdal, gender structured paid them a visits and hand clothes, food parcel and support to the remaining family members. (picture)
5.1.3. The 16 days of activism and world Aids Day
Recommendation to launch 16 days of activism and World Aids day on the 4 December 2015 was postponed, due to the hectic scheduled for federation activities.
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The activity was held in Modderfontein farm near Koster at Manakato primary School.
5.2. Gender POA
2018 PROGRAM FOR COSATU GENDER STRUCTURE
No Activities Date Responsibilities
1 Gender meeting 25 May 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
2 Child care day 12 June 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
3 Gender meeting 17 June 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
4 Farm visit (Mandela day) 18 July 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
5 PGOB & Affiliates meeting 02 August 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
6 Women’s day celebration 09 August 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
7 Protest March GBV 15 August 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
8 PGOB & Affiliates meeting 18 September 2018 PGOB, Affiliates and local structure
9 NW Provincial Gender Council (PGC)
02 October 2018 Secretariat
State of the locals
STATE OF OUR LOCALS
The locals have been the implementers of all our campaigns after the CEC and PEC has resolved or taken a decision on organisational maters in particular those that affect workers at the local level including those that affect the communities.
Our locals are faced with the following critical issues to run their locals. Poor attendance from the local affiliates Poor coordination from the province Time offs for local office bearers to attend activities of the federation during
working hours Office space to do administration and venues to hold meeting Long distance travelling to meetings Struggling with transport Resources to do the federation work The locals are faced with budget problem to run the locals programs
The congress must discuss the funding model for the operation of the locals and that of the campaigns structures. The COSATU principles say affiliates must accommodate the local structures but how many of our affiliates are doing that, the congress must discuss and resolve on the matter.
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Not all the locals are relaunched for the next three years and the summary on the state of the locals is as follows
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Local State of the local LEC LSSC Campaigns Alliance Socio economy and challenges
1. Klerksdorp
The local has been one of the weakest locals in the province. In the past three years the local had a turnover of leadership every year. It has been unable to take up any program by its own except for the programmes which were directed by the provincial office. The PEC was forced to disband the local due to its failure to do work and it was then relaunched in this year
The LEC is very weak and has not been able to meet and direct the local
The structure has not been meeting when convened by the provincial office.
The local has hosted mostly the provincial and national campaigns. There were campaigns which are related to gender based violence which was led from the provincial office
The alliance meets only when there are activities of the partners like the conferences but there is no alliance program
The local is based in the mining town where mining activities are on a decline due to the decreasing demand of gold and the depth of the mines.
2. Potchefstroom
The local is structurally strong and is able to run its affairs with little support from the province. It remained stable in the past three years.
This is one of the few locals where the LEC has been able to meet and develop the program of the federation
The LSSC meets on monthly basis to process the report of the local and engage on the program.
The local is participating only in provincial campaign and has not hosted its own campaigns
The alliance meets only when there are activities of the partners like the conferences but there is no alliance program
There has been a decline in the industries in the area. The economy relies mostly on retail and agro processing. The is a challenge of support from the affiliates
3. Wolmaranstad
The local has been very stable in the past three years. It has been able to send regular reports to the provincial office. The local had some of its office bearers
The LEC has not been function al leaving the running of the
The council meet from time to time to deal with the program of the local it also able
The local is participating only in provincial campaign and has not hosted its own campaigns
The local is rural and the economy relies on small scale diamond mining and
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leaving office in the past term. local to the LOBs and the LSSC
to hold the LOBs accountable
agriculture
4. Ventersdorp
The local have shown some signs of stability in the past three years. It has been able to deal with challenges facing the workers and the community. The local has been consistent in sending the reports to the province. the local has launched
The LEC has not been function al leaving the running of the local to the LOBs and the LSSC
The council meet from time to time to deal with the program of the local it also able to hold the LOBs accountable
The local was engaged in the amalgamation of municipalities program. It has been dealing with the issues related to land allocation to the communities. It has been able to intervene on community issues and matters related to the farm workers
The alliance meets only when there are activities of the partners like the conferences but there is no alliance program
The major economic activities are in agriculture and small scale mining. There are challenges of service delivery and the municipality lack capacity. It is proposed that it must be merged with Potchefstroom
5. Rustenburg
The local has been unstable in the past three years. The local secretary and the treasurer left their positions for several reasons and after the cooption of the LOBs the new local secretary has never been able to perform his duties as required.
Despite the local being host to a number of affiliate’s offices the LEC is one of the weakest structures in the local. It does not meet from time to
The LSSC meets as and when it is directed by the provincial office
Due to instability the local has not been able to have its own campaigns
The alliance operation remains weak in the area. There was an alliance program which was coordinated by COSATU in defence of the workers. The area is used as a platform to launch an attack to the
Mining is highly active due to the growing demand of platinum and the reserves which are still available in the area.
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time to plan the activities of the local
alliance
6. Moses Kotane
The local is structurally strong and is able to run its affairs with little support from the province. It remained stable in the past three years.
The LEC is very weak due to the fact that this is a rural local and most workplaces a represented by shop stewards and do not have office bearers
The LSSC meets from time to time to process the work of the local and to take up the program of the local
The local is engaged on the campaign against racism in a number of workplaces. It also managed to support the comrades from Rustenburg on the cases which were in the courts. The local is making follow ups on the Sun City dismissed workers
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
There is booming of mining activities in many of the villages which create disputes on the distribution of royalties. The local is rural and there are always challenges of service delivery
7. Madibeng
The local started the term being very strong but it was affected by the dynamics in the federation
The LEC has been very weak an unable to develop and coordinate the program of the local
The LSSC was able to meet from time to time in the first part of the term until at the time the local started to have challenges. Since then it has been meeting when directed to do so by the provincial office.
The local has been part of the community campaign against corruption. It supported the campaign on the provision of water. It was also against the closure of some schools without proper procedure.
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme. The ANC is marred with factions and the SACP is stable.
The economy is centred on manufacturing, mining and agriculture. There are challenges of service delivery and the municipality does not have the capacity to address the challenges
8. Swart This was a newly established The LEC is The LSSC has not The local has been our The alliance only The local is
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ruggens
local and this was it first term. The local has been structurally weak in that most of the elected LOBs have not been active except the chairperson and the gender structure. The local has been able to host a number of activities and it has been able to service workers where the affiliates were not able to do so
very weak due to the fact that this is a rural local and most workplaces a represented by shop stewards and do not have office bearers
been meeting as expected due to poor commitment from the affiliates to release the shop stewards to attend the council
host local for the toll gate campaign. It also had a campaign against exploitation in a number of workplaces. It managed to recruit workers in deferent sectors to join the unions which are affiliated to COSATU
functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
located in the area which predominantly rural and the bedrock of its economy is farming. The major source of income comes from the social grants.
9. Koster
The local has been very weak in the past three year. It went for the election but the elected office bearers were never able to perform their duties as expected by the federation.
The local has been very weak and collapsed after it was revived
The local has been very weak and collapsed after it was revived
There has been a campaign to deal with racism and farm eviction in the local. There was also a community campaign to deal with corruption which also raised the issues of the workers but the local was not able to fit in both campaigns
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
The local is located in the area which predominantly rural and the bedrock of its economy is farming. The major source of income comes from the social grants.
10. Moretele
The local has been very weak in the past three years. It has failed to launch even when there were several attempts.
The local has been dysfunctional
The local has been dysfunctional
The local has been dysfunctional for some time
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance
The local is located in the area which is mostly near Gauteng and most of the people work and
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programme have their economic activities there. The industry in the area has collapsed
11. Mafikeng
The local has been stable in the past three years. It has been able to deal with challenges facing the workers and the community. The local has been consistent in sending the reports to the province. the local has launched and the office bearers are as follows: The local is able to support the campaigns of the neighbouring locals
The LEC has been convened several times but it remains very weak. The program of the local is run mostly by the LOBs and the LSSC
The LSSC is able to meet from time to time when a need a rise and every time when there is a program of the federation which need execution by the LSSC
The local has been engaged on the campaign against exploitation and racial treatment of workers in a number of workplaces in the province. It has also played a role in the support of the members of SAMWU who were ill-treated by municipality. It has hosted the provincial May day celebrations for 2018
The alliance has collapsed in the region. There is no alliance program and there is a challenge of coordination of alliance activities. The local is struggling to built relations with SANCO and ANC.
The major employer in the local is public service. There are challenges of service delivery. The economy does not show any signs of growth even though there are plans to revitalise it.
12. Zeerust
The local remains very weak even after several attempts to revive it. The situation became worse after the redeployment of the deputy chairperson outside the local.
The local has been very weak
Several attempts were made to convene an LSSC but in most cases they failed due to the lack of support from the affiliates and commitments from the LOBs
The local has been part of the campaign to make sure that all the learners get their results at the end of the year as there were some school which were holding them due to outstanding fees
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
The local is located in the area which predominantly rural and the bedrock of its economy is farming. The major source of income comes
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from the social grants.
13. Lichtenburg
The local remains to be a bubble local. It has failed to sustain stability from time in memorial. There is little communication between the LOBs which is the main course of the weakness of the local
The local has a regional office of one affiliate but most of the affiliates are represented by shop stewards and not office bearers but the LEC is weak
The LSSC has been able to meet when directed by the provincial office and when there is a provincial campaign
The local has been engaged in campaign against racism in the workplaces and to defend workers against exploitation. There are challenges of farm evictions which the local has to take up a campaign on from time to time. The local hosted the May Day celebrations in 2016
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
There is a high level of agricultural activities in the local. There are challenges of service delivery and the infighting in the municipality
14. Sannieshof
The local is stable and is able to run it affairs with very little support from the provincial office.
The LEC remains weak as it is a rural local with few affiliates having office bearers in the local
The council meets on an ad-hoc basis when there are activities to be executed by the local
The local has hosted its Mandela day activities on yearly basis.
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
The local is located in the area which predominantly rural and the bedrock of its economy is farming. The major source of income comes from the social grants.
15. Ottosdal
The local is week but it is still intact
The LEC remains weak as it is a rural
The LSSC does not meet as required and this
There are lots of challenges which are related to the farm
The alliance only functions during the national and
The local is located in the area which
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local with few affiliates having office bearers in the local
has contributed to the weakness of the local
workers and racism which include farm eviction in the local
provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
predominantly rural and the bedrock of its economy is farming. The major source of income comes from the social grants.
16. Delareyville
The local is stable and able to take up is program. It has been able to assist the neighbouring local and come up with its own local campaigns.
The LEC remains weak as it is a rural local with few affiliates having office bearers in the local
The council has been able to meet from time to time to process the report of the local and to execute the program of the local
The local was engaged on the anti racism campaign and also on the campaign against exploitation of the workers. It also managed to recruit workers into COSATU affiliated unions based on their sectors
The alliance only functions during the national and provincial campaigns there is not coordination of the alliance programme
There is a high level of agricultural activity in the local with marginal small scale mining
17. Ratlou
The local has been in good standing but very weak in the past term. The secretary left the position and therefore making difficult for the local to operate.
The LEC remains weak as it is a rural local with few affiliates having office bearers in the local
The LSSC does not sit as expected but only when there is a program to drive in the local. Some affiliates are not participating in the activities of the local even if
The local was engaged on the campaign to defend workers against retrenchments and outsourcing. The local participated in the sixteen days of activism campaign in 2107 hosted by the state
There is no alliance program in the local and the ANC does not engage COSATU on its activities
This is a rural local with very little economic activities taking place. There is a mixture of subsistence farming and commercial farming
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they are engaged to do so
18. Vryburg
The local became very weak after the last launch. It has become the local of PECs only it does not have any activities and it does not send reports
The LEC does sit as and when required but it lacks the capacity to drive the program of the local.
The LSSC is able to sit on regular basis but it is unable to hold the LOB accountable.
The local has been part of the campaign against racism in workplaces. It also dealt with cases of exploitation of workers in some work places. It hosted a provincial recruitment campaign
The alliance is not operational and it only becomes functional on the programs coordinated by the province of the ANC
There is a high level of agricultural activity in the local with marginal small scale mining
19. Taung The local has become very weak during the period under review. It has been in active and not responding to any communication from the province
The LEC is very weak due to the fact that this is a rural local and most workplaces a represented by shop stewards and do not have office bearers
The LSSC is able to sit on regular basis to implement the program of the federation in the local
The local has been part of the socio economic campaigns in the community. The local was very active in the election even resolving challenges in the neighbouring locals.
The alliance is not operational and it only becomes functional on the programs coordinated by the province of the ANC. There is a good relations with the SACP and SANCO and the same cannot be said about the ANC
There is a high level of agricultural activity in the local with marginal small scale mining. The land which is available is not optimally used due to lack of support from government
20. Ganyesa
The local has moved from stable to weak. It has not been able to respond to communication from the province and fails to attend the activities of the federation
The LEC is very weak due to the fact that this is a rural local and most workplaces a represented
The council sit as and when there is a program to implement.
The local has been engaged on the campaign against racism in the community. It also had a campaign against exploitation in the retail
The alliance is not operational and it only becomes functional on the programs coordinated by the province of the ANC
There is a high level of agricultural activity in the local. Farm Workers and farm dwellers
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by shop stewards and do not have office bearers
shops in the area. The local hosted the May Day Rally for 2013.
still remain the most exploited in our locality and their plight. No proper employment in our area because there are no factories in our area
21. Bloemhof
The local has been stable and they were able to pick up signs of weakness and speedily requested for intervention from the province. The LOB collapsed but it was quickly relaunched. The local is able to take up its own program and community issues. The local office bearers are as follows:
The LEC is very weak due to the fact that this is a rural local and most workplaces a represented by shop stewards and do not have office bearers
The council meet from time to time to assess the state of the federation in the local and to deal with the challenges facing workers
The local was active in the community campaign for service delivery. It also took part to resolve the challenges during the elections
The alliance is not operational and it only becomes functional on the programs coordinated by the province of the ANC
There is a high level of agricultural activity in the local with marginal small scale mining
22. Christiana
The local has struggled for the past three years to launch but it has finally been able to do so. It is still weak but it has shown signs of improvement given the energy of the new office bearers
The local has been revived in 2015
The local has been revived in 2015
The local has been revived in 2015
The alliance is not operational and it only becomes functional on the programs coordinated by the province of the ANC
There is a high level of agricultural activity in the local with marginal small scale mining
23. Shwei The local has been stable despite The LEC is The council has The local has been able The alliance is not There is a high
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zer Reneke
the challenges of the secretary leaving office midterm but it managed to smoothly fill the vacancy. The local is able to take up its own programs and support affiliates which are under attack.
very weak due to the fact that this is a rural local and most workplaces a represented by shop stewards and do not have office bearers
been able to sit from time to deal to deal with the local program and the challenges facing workers in the area
to take up the socio economic campaign where the mine was not employing local labour and also exploiting worker. It also hosted the sixteen day of activism campaign where food parcels were given to the needy families. It hosted the provincial recruitment program
operational and it only becomes functional on the programs coordinated by the province of the ANC
level of agricultural activity in the local with marginal small scale mining
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Campaigns
The province had been engaged in a number of campaigns in the past three years and amongst others these are the campaigns we have taken:
Fight against the expensive toll gate. Fight against union bashing. The rights of workers to join the union of their choice. Fight against the unfair mass dismissal of workers. Fight to improve working conditions of workers. Fight for companies to comply in particular on OHS and sectoral determinations. Fight against racial discriminations. Fight against racism and killing of workers. Fight against evictions in particular in the farms Campaigns for water and electricity. Campaign against gender base violence. Protection of women in the mining sector. Sixteen days of activism. Mandela day. Fight against unfairly retrenchment The listening campaign to talk to our members including none members to get
their problems and develop program to deal with their issues, close the social distance between workers and their elected leadership.
We had a solidarity campaign in particular for those affiliates and its members are facing critical attacks from fly by night unions working with employers including those who were dismissed for joining COSATU unions.
The May day activities Campaign on 2016 local government elections
Fight against the expensive toll gate.
The campaign against the toll gate is still continuing with very little support from affiliates. Despite the poor attendance from affiliates we have managed to stage more than 40 protest action at the toll gate with the last one on the 7 th April 2017 which was preceded by the PSSC. We have to appreciate the fact that we have not had an increase for the past six years which is gain to the workers and the community. The unions which have been consistent in the campaign are SATAWU, POPCRU, DENOSA, SADTU, NUM Matlosana and NEHAWU
The rights of workers to join the union of their choiceWe launched the recruitment drive at Vryburg on the 22 March 2016. Attendance was a follows: NUM Matlosana, SATAWU, NEHAWU, DENOSA and FAWU, locals: Vryburg, Ganyesa and Sweizer Reneke. The challenge we had is the commitment of affiliates to release recruiters and resources for the implementation of the programme
The campaign was based on the following key aspect
Each affiliate was expected to do the following for the campaign to be successful
1. Produce stop order forms for each week
2. Develop a workplace specific programme which must be presented every Monday during the briefing session
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3. Liaise with workers and employers to inform them of the presence of COSATU recruiters
4. Release organisers and a team of recruiters in each area
5. Avail material and resources for released comrades
6. Provide information of its sector which amongst others include the following:
6.1. Total number of workplaces in the area in its sector
6.2. Total workforce in each workplace in its sector
6.3. Union density in each workplace in its sector
6.4. Strength of rival unions in each workplace in its sector
6.5. Challenges faced by the affiliate in the workplaces in the area
6.6. Victories gained by the affiliate in the workplaces in the area
Outcomes of the campaign we the following
At the end of the campaign we must have achieved the following:
1. Membership growth of about 30% on each affiliate
2. Mobilised workers to vote for the ANC in the local government elections
3. Addressed all outstanding issues with the members
4. Developed and membership retention strategy for each affiliate
5. Dealt with the central mobilisation war room campaigns which are:
Recruitment and organisation building
Campaign for comprehensive social security system (campaign against the tax law amendment act)
National minimum wage
Labour brokers
Integrated transport system( E tolls)
Vulnerable workers rights
Workplace racism
May Day and local government elections
The team was supposed to comprise of the following:
POBs to provide oversight role
Secretariat to provide administrative and logistical support
PEO to coordinate
Affiliates organisers and recruiters
Provincial gender committee
Local Office Bearers
Affiliates local shop stewards
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At the end all the above outcomes were not realised due to non participation of affiliates in the campaign.Racism and job losses.
The province convened a march in support to the 210 dismised employees of Botselo mills who were organised by NTM. The march was on the 18 April 2016 and we handed the memorandum to both the police and Botselo mills. The march was well attended by the dismissed employees and the members of the community Those workers where FAWU members and resign to join NTM.We also demanded that MEC of community safety to remove the acting station commander of Delaryville who is applies racism both at police station and on the community of that place.
We also continue to take cases of workers from all the sectors where they are facing racism and dismissal. The biggest challenge is the farm workers where farmers continue to dismiss and evict workers without following the law. Some of the cases we have in the province are as follows:
Ventersdorp 14 dismissed workers White leopard security March to Lafarge Support to the workers at star FM Eagle valley farms Sangiro farms Elgro mel Schaumburg farms Toro truck manufactures Botselo mills
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REPORT ON EVICTION CASES REFERRED TO COURTS TO COSATU: NORTH WEST PROVINCE
Name of the Case Area District Status
Maria Rakuba & Others // Royal Bafokeng Nation
Plot 99, Boschoek, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
Parties agreed to remove the matter from the Court Roll.
Offer to buy received from the neighbouring farm owner and in the process of possible land acquisition.
Manabela & Others // Nel
Rietfontein(Rooistad), Hartebeesfontein, Klerksdorp
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
The current land owner took the matter to the Land Claims Court after department efforts and mediation process failed to produce results.
The Owner’s through the Court requested the department to compile and submit Probation Officer’s Reports.
Phillimon Molelekeng & Others // Engelbreght
Spruitfontein,Marikana, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
The matter was decided in the Land Claims Court in favour of the occupiers after their unlawful eviction from the land they used to reside on. Unfortunately there challenges when their rights were supposed to be reinstated.
Currently three neighboring land owners have offered their farms for sale and the department is the process of considering them.
The department together with department of Agricultural has visited the farms.
Molusi & Others // Voges
Boschfontein, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
The matter was finalized the Constitutional Court and the judgement was delivered on 01 March 2016 in favour of occupiers.
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Frannero Property Investment 202 (Proprietary) Limited // Clement Selapa & Others
Portion 35 of the farm Waterval 306 JQ, Rustenburg.
Bojanala Platinum
The matter pending at the Mahikeng High Court.
Hostprops 186 (Pty) Ltd // Joel & Grace More & K. Mathenjwa
Plot 999, Vyfhoek, Potchefstroom
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
The matter resolved at the Potchefstroom Magistrate Court and judgment handed down in favour of the occupiers.
Die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika // Oumaki Mittah Sonteya
Farm Rooderand, Venterskroon, Potchefstroom
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
The matter was at the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court and parties agreed to settle it amicably.
AJB. Trust & AJ. Behrens // Simon Nki Boiyane & Others
Farm Modderfontein 332, IP, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
Eviction confirmed by the Land Claims Court as occupiers have sites or stands at Dinie Estate Development.
Occupiers have since relocated to Dinie Estate Develoment and matter is closed.
Born Free Investment 552 (Pty) Ltd // Unlawful Occupiers
Portion of Portion 173 of the farm Waterkloof, 305, JQ, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
Matter pending at the Mahikeng High Court.
Esme Berger // The Unknown Individuals
Remaining Extent of Portion 331 of the farm Waterloof, 305, JQ, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
Matter pending at the Mahikeng High Court.
C A Janse van Rensburg // Stephanus Andries & Martha Louisa Louw
Portion 2 of the farm Woulterskop, 452, JQ, Brits
Bojanala Platinum
Matter pending at the Brits Magistrates’ Court
Aquarius Platinum Pty Limited // Bonene S & Others
Portions 89 & 90 of the farm Kroondal, JQ, Rustenburg
Bojanala Platinum
Matter pending at the Land Claims Court of SA
Lebeko & Others // CPJ. Strydom
A Portion of Portion 5 of the farm Rietfontein, 219, JP, Ventersdorp
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
Matter pending at the Land Claims Court of SA
Maria Kok & Others // Willem Oostenhuizen
Portion 54 of the farm Gerhardminnebron, IQ, Potchefstroom
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
Parties through their Attorneys agreed to settle the matter out of Court
Tlokwe Local Municipality allocated the occupiers sites or stands
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Andrew Skead Burden N.O. // Teko Simon Mokgosi & Family
Portion of Portion 1 & Portion 22 (A Portion of Portion) of the farm Du Troits Spruit, 136, IQ, Potchefstroom
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
Matter pending at the Tlokwe Magistrates’ Court.
Isabella Alette Van Den Berg N.O. // Pierre Van Rooyen & Family
Portion 231 (A Portion of Portion 157) of the farm Scheerpoort. Brits
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
Matter pending at the Land Claims Court of SA.
Anastasia Capitani // Morris Ndlovu & Others
Portion 107 (A Portion of Portion 34), Portion 277 (A Portion of Portion 34) and Portion 344 (A Portion of Portion 1) of the farm Scheerpoort, Brits
Matter filled at the Brits Magistrates ‘Court
Young workers forum
Several attempts were made to launch the young workers forum in the province but they have failed. The last meeting was convened on the 15 February 2018. Affiliates confirmed in the secretariat that they will send delegates to the meeting but only three affiliates send delegate and that is NUM; CWU and DENOSA.
The meeting then resolved to go through the guidelines sp that the province can make submission to the head office. The meeting also resolved to set up an interim committee which will steer the work of the young workers from and the members of the committee are as follows:
Mziwakhe Seleka DENOSA Xolisa Rwexwana NUM Onke Xhinela NUM Ikanyeng Maape CWU
May Day
The province has been able to host May Day rallies spread across the districts of the province. The overall assessment is that we had successful May Day celebrations throughout the province in the past three years.
In the past three years we have been having one centralised rally in the province. The attendance to our rallies has been very good and improving form time to time except for the 2016 rally which was in Lichtenburg where we saw the numbers dropping far below the provincial average which we always had in the past.
We have been able to provide catering for the masses in all the rallies but this was last done in 2016 due to the challenges which were posed by the catering and the affordability. Our biggest challenge when it comes to the May Day is transport for the workers. Very few affiliates have been able to provide transport for the members and most have not been able. The federation has for several occasions intervened
For full assessment of our May Day rallies for the past three years see May day reports below.
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May Day assessment 2016
Introduction
This report will do an assessment of the May Day celebration for 2015 which was held in Lichtenburg Rugby Stadium on the 1st May 2016. This year the province held one rally after it was resolved in the PEC that there should be decentralised rallies but due to the challenges in the province the PEC later rescinded the decision and resolved to have one rally.
Our rally was held in Lichtenburg due to the number of racial activities which took place in the area and we resolved to go there in order to signify the presence of the federation it the province and to support the workers in the areas in their fight against racism.
Materials
The first batch of materials which was posters was delivered on the second week April 2016 to all the area which we had requested that they should be delivered to. The second batch which was the translated materials was delivered in the third week of April. We were told by the couriers that the delay was caused by the fact that they were given one deliver address and later given four while they had already packed the materials and they had to unpack. This happened despite the fact that we had initially provided the four addresses and the contact details of the people who are supposed to receive the materials. We want to recommend that in the future we should make only one delivery as the province have to still distribute to the locals and we do not have the capacity to do more than one delivery.
The materials were collected by the locals which managed to paste the posters in the poles and strategic areas where the workers can see them. The banner was received on time with the materials.
Mobilisation
Mobilisation was done through the program of locals shop steward councils and motorcades and blitz in strategic areas in the province. We also developed a program specifically for the mobilisation for the May Day rally. We could not convene a provincial shop steward council as we alredy had one in February 2016. We also had motorcades in Mafikeng and Lichtenburg jointly with the alliance and the activity was very successful, the provincial leadership of the alliance played a major role for the May Day celebration.
Transport
Transport is supposed to be the responsibility of affiliates to take their members to the May Day rallies but his has been proven to be a theory and not a practice. Very few affiliates had been able to provide transport to their members and even those who had provided transport it was not sufficient to cover all the members who wanted to attend the rally. Transport allocation from affiliates based on the report we got was as follows:
NEHAWU 1 bus per region and four buses in the hosting region that is they had 8 buses
NUM 15 busses
SATAWU 3 Busses
POPCRU 4 by 22 seater taxis
SACCAWU 4 taxis
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The provincial office had to make intervention in procuring buses and the breakdown was as follows.
Mafikeng 5 Buses
Zeerust 5 Buses
Lichtenburg 10 Buses
Delareyville 3 Buses
Deployees
The deployees from the alliance all attended the rally except for the deployee of the SACP and there was no message communicated on her whereabouts and the provincial Chiarperson had to stand in on her behalf. We were informed on the night before the rally that the main speaker from the CEC will not be able to make it to the rally as he could not get a flight from the Eastern Cape but there was a replacement done by the head office
Crowd attendance
The crowd attendance was no satisfactory though some of the comrades arrived very late at the rally due to the distance they had to travel. Some buses dropped off the workers in town instead of dropping them at the stadium and we had many workers being all over town and not in the rally. It is estimated that we had 3000 workers in the rally.
May Day assessment 2017
Introduction
This report will do an assessment of the May Day celebration for 2017 which was held in Brazil Stadium in Jouberton Klerksdorp on the 1st May 2017. This year the province held one rally after it was resolved in the PEC that there should be decentralised rallies the PEC later rescinded the decision and resolved to have one rally.
The PEC reaffirmed the CEC decision that the May Day Rally must be preceded by the march to demonstrate and raise all issues that affects workers in the Province. The PEC resolved after assessment of 2016 May Day rally that the 2107 May Day rally must a success, Affiliates must start early to mobilise workers and there must be maximum attendance of PEC members on all task teams meetings and in the rally.
The PEC further resolved that all CEC deployees need to be in the Province a week before to join a final mop up program touching base with workers as a build up to the rally.
The rally was held in Klerksdorp as it has been quite some time that the region had held a provincial activity and for the purpose of rotation it was brought to the Kenneth Kaunda region.
Materials
The materials which were posters and flyers were delivered on the 14 April 2017 to the provincial office. This created a challenge with regard to postering as there were lots of holidays in between.
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The materials were collected by the locals which managed to paste the posters in the poles and strategic areas where the workers can see them. The banner was received on time with the materials.
Mobilisation
The PEC adopted the mobilization program towards May Day which include, listening campaign, recruitments, campaigns and visitation to vulnerable workers particularly farm workers. We convened a provincial shop steward council on the 7 th April 2107 which was well attended and later we proceeded to Swartruggens tollgates as part of campaign, both activities was well attended by Alliance partners and we used them as mobilisation for May Day rally.
The following Affiliates submitted mobilisation programs:
POPCRU
NUM Matlosana
CWU
SATAWU
SADTU
We convened the following meetings in preparation to May Day rally:
PEC
PSSC
Secretariat meeting
Three extended campaigns, Organisers forum and May Day task meetings
Both the secretariat and extended campaigns meetings were not well attended.
We further requested affiliates to submit mop up programs but only NUM submitted a detailed program which was incorporated in the provincial program. NEHAWU submitted a report which lacked some of details.
Two days before the rally we visited vulnerable workers at Ventersdorp and Braakspruit and on Sunday we attended three church services, later we loud hailed and do motorcades around Jouberton.
Transport
Transport is supposed to be the responsibility of affiliates to take their members to the May Day rallies but this has been proven to be a theory and not a practice. This year there have been some improvement from the side of the affiliates in providing transport for their members. Transport allocation from affiliates based on the report we got was as follows:
NEHAWU 3 buses per region and four buses in the hosting region that is they had 15 buses
NUM 17 busses
SATAWU 2 Busses
POPCRU 1 bus and 5 taxis
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SAMWU 9 Taxis
SADTU 3 buses and 10 taxis
The provincial office had to make intervention in procuring 4 buses for the local areas.
Other Affiliates who do not appear above was not present in the last meeting to give us their state of readiness on both mobilisation and transport arrangement.
Deployees
We have 7 CEC deployees to our rally but all of them came on the day of the event. Alliance attended both Provincial and national, all Alliance delivered message of support.
March
The march started with more than 1000 workers that was caused by miscommunication between Affiliates and their members that we start with the march. Overall the march was successful and we handed over the memorandum to the department of labour and the North West provincial government.
Rally and Crowd attendance
The rally started at about 12H00 with the handing of the memorandum. We had agreed on the short messages of support from the alliance partners and that did not happened as almost all of them took more than ten minutes on the podium. The speakers and the guest from the ANC were booed by tiny minority of individuals who were not joined by the rest of workers, later the CEC Deployee apologised to ANC.The crowd attendance was very satisfactory and it can be estimated to 9000.
Celebration
Workers celebrated been entertained with various artists until the left the stadium. There was no reported incident at the rally.
May Day assessment 2018
Introduction
This report will do an assessment of the May Day celebration for 2018 which was held in Mafikeng Rugby Stadium on the 1st May 2018. This year the province held one rally after it was resolved in the PEC that there should be centralised rally.
The PEC reaffirmed the CEC decision that the May Day Rally must be preceded by the march to demonstrate and raise all issues that affects workers in the Province. The PEC resolved after assessment of 2017 May Day rally that the 2018 May Day rally must be a success, Affiliates must start early to mobilise workers and there must be maximum attendance of PEC members on all task teams meetings and in the rally.
The PEC further resolved that all CEC deployees need to be in the Province a week before to join a final mop up program touching base with workers as a build up to the rally.
The rally was held in Mafikeng as it has been quite some time that the place had held a provincial activity and for the purpose of rotation it was brought to the Mafikeng.
Materials
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The materials which were posters and flyers were delivered at the end of March to all the addresses which were provided. This gave us some time to start with the postering and distribution of pamphlets to the workers and the communities.
The materials were collected by the locals which managed to paste the posters in the poles and strategic areas where the workers can see them. The banner was received on time with the materials.
Mobilisation
The PEC adopted the mobilization program towards May Day which included launching of locals, listening campaign, recruitments, campaigns and visitation to vulnerable workers particularly farm workers. We convened a provincial shop steward council on the 13th April 2018 which was well attended and later we marched to the legislature to hand over the memorandum which we could not handover last year on the 27 th
September. Both activities were well attended by Alliance partners and we used them as mobilisation for May Day rally.
We also had radio interviews which were done by the DGS and the Provincial office bearers on the day before the rally.
The following Affiliates submitted mobilisation programs:
POPCRU
NUM Matlosana
CWU
SADTU
We convened the following meetings in preparation to May Day rally:
PEC
PSSC
Extended Secretariat and campaigns committee meeting
The meeting was not well attended.
We further requested affiliates to submit mop up programs but none submitted a program
Two weeks before the rally the province was marred with protest which were related to the poor service delivery and the call for the premier to resign. This hampered our mobilisation activities as the area which was hid the hardest was Mafikeng and the rally was taking place there.
Transport
Transport is supposed to be the responsibility of affiliates to take their members to the May Day rallies but this has been proven to be a theory and not a practice. This year there has been some improvement from the side of the affiliates in providing transport for their members. Transport allocation from affiliates based on the report we got was as follows:
NEHAWU 1 bus per region and five buses in the hosting area that is they had 10 buses
NUM 17 busses
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SATAWU no buses but members came on their cars
POPCRU 1 bus and 7 taxis
SAMWU provided transport no details yet
SADTU provided transport no details yet
SASBO members attended no details on transport
DENOSA provided transport no details yet
Deployees
We have 6 CEC deployees to our rally of which four of them came a day before the rally and two came on the day of the rally and this was due to family commitments which they communicated to the office. Alliance attended both Provincial and national though some ANC NEC members confirmed to be part of the activity they never arrived, all Alliance delivered message of support.
March
The march started with more than 2000 workers that was caused by miscommunication between Affiliates and their members that we start with the march. Overall the march was successful and we handed over the memorandum to the department of labour and the North West provincial government and Choppies.
Rally and Crowd attendance
The rally started at about 11H45 with the handing of the memorandum. We had agreed on the short messages of support from the alliance partners and most of them managed their time very well. The speakers were received very well by the crowd. The crowd attendance was very satisfactory and it can be estimated to 7500.
Celebration
Workers celebrated been entertained with various artists until the left the stadium. The mood in the march and the rally was very good showing signs of unity amongst the workers. There was no reported incident at the rally.
National strike and International Decent work Day
Our national strike have for some time coinciding with the international decent work day except for 2017 where we had the national strike on the 27 September 2017 and we had a march in Mafikeng.
The strikes and celebrations of this day have been very successful in many folds except for the 2016 activity where we had very poor attendance in both our marches which were in Rustenburg and Klerksdorp
Below is the assessment of the national strike and the international decent work day
Assessment on the national day of action on the 7th October 2015
Introduction
This report will give an account of the events on the national day of action which was declared a national stay away and it was a protected strike through the NEDLAC processes. The report will give an overview of participation of affiliates in preparation of the day of action and the role played by the alliance in the activity.
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Preparations for the day of action
In preparing for the day of action the province convened two special campaigns committee meeting in order to prepare and get a feeling from the affiliates on the state of readiness for the day of action. The first meeting which was held on the 28 th August 2015 was attended by three affiliates which are NUM; CWU and SATAWU all others failed to attend without an apology. The second meeting was held on the 6 October 2015 and was supposed to do a mop up was attended by four affiliates which are NUM; SACTWU; DENOSA and SADTU.
The locals of COSATU in all locals convened meetings and community meeting to be addressed by the COSATU leaders, shpoteawrds councils were arranged by locals during week and during weekend
In the last meeting affiliates were expected to give detailed report on the state of readiness and whether they are providing transport for the members. All affiliates present reported that they have mobilised members to be part of the activity but only SACTWU had reported that they have reproduced the pamphlet as electronically circulated by head office the three other affiliates had not reproduced the pamphlets.
Only NUM confirmed that they have arranged transport for the members to attend the march other affiliates could not confirm.
We had on several occasions requested affiliates to submit programs and reports on the mobilisation but only POPCRU submitted the program and the SADTU program on their regional congresses which were also used to mobilizing workers to the march NUM also submitted a program but no report was send thereafter.
We also convened a provincial shop steward council where all affiliates in the province attended in exception of SAMA. In the PSSC all affiliates made a commitment that they will make the activity to be successful and will submit programs and reports but this did not happen except for the two mentioned above.
The province continued to use the activities of the locals and affiliates to mobilise workers for the activity. The provincial secretary also used any opportunity presented to him in the media to talk about the activity like when he was interviewed on the murder case in Vryburg; the toll gate and many others.
We had media statement which was used in all the local radio station to popularised our action including programs
Overall assessment
Though the day was supposed to be a national stay some workplaces were business as usual as most workers were at their workplaces.
The march was well attended though most of the marchers arrived at about 11H00 just before the start of the march. Only members of FAWU, SACCAWU and few NUM were at the gathering point from 07H30 in the morning.
The turnout in the march was very impressive and it is estimated at about 11000 marchers.
If all affiliated would have respected the commitment they made in the PSSC ,we would have over 30 000 marches
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SANCO also mobilised the members of community to be part of the march and the transport for them was provided by COSATU through the funding from the donor hence the * on the COSATU transport below.
Transport
Most of the unions have failed to provide transport for the members and the following are the unions which provided transport
NUM Matlosana.
NUM Rustenburg
NEHAWU Buses and taxi
POCRU Taxis
SAMWU taxis
DENOSA taxis
COSATU 8 Buses to the community*
Other affiliates indicated that they used taxis including their own cars for the march which very succesfull.
Deployees
All the COSATU CEC deployees did not attend the march and we had to ask comrade Eric Gcelishane to do a key note address on behalf of the CEC
All the deployees form the SACP were present in the march and gave the message of support this include the YCL. SANCO provincial chairperson also gave a message of support. The ANC did not attend the march despite them being informed about it.
Memoranda recipients
We had invited the ministers of Transport; labour and mineral resources; the premier of the North West and the North West chamber of business. All of them confirmed and send delegates except the chamber of business and therefore the recipients of the memorandum were as follows:
1. Deputy Minister of DMR
2. MEC of Transport and community safety on behalf of Minister of transport and the premier.
3. Provincial Executive manager of labour on behalf of the minister of labour.
4. CCMA convening senior commissioner who was added on the last day of the preparations.
Challenges
Due to the non attendance of the union leadership to the preparatory meetings members were not properly directed to the gathering point and they did not know the routes and that at the point where the memorandum will be handed it will be also the point where we dispatch.
Due to the poor attendance of affiliates in the campaigns committee meeting, workers were informed by COSATU about the day of action
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We are recommending that the CEC must take action on the funding for transport marches and May day, the money must be paid into COSATU account for paying transport for workers.
ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DECENT WORK DAY 2016
We had three Regional shop stewards councils in the Province for mobilisation, Ngaka Modiri Molema( Mafikeng), Dr Ruth Segomotsi( Mamusa) and Kenneth Kaunda( Klerksdorp). The Regional shop stewards were not well attended but we managed to send the message across, we shared the program with Alliance Partners and PYA.
We had a successful march to Swartruggens toll gate on the 30 th September 2016 as a build up to the action.
We have two marches in Klerksdorp and Rustenburg, the attended was not satisfactory – In Klerksdorp we had 750 and Rustenburg 350.
The Deployees in Klerksdorp was Dr Zenzo Mahlangu GS OF SATAWU and Gloria Kgoleng SADTU Vice President SAC. In Klerksdorp we allowed the Student movement (SASCO) to give message of support and commit to support them on their call for free Education.
Rustenburg was Angie Phethle SACCAWU Deputy President.
The following unions were not part of marches:
CWU
SAMA
CEPPWAWU
LIMUSA
NEHAWU
SASSAWU
NUM Rustenburg
SACTWU in Klerksdorp
COSATU North West National strike assessment 2017
Introduction
This report will make an attempt to make an assessment of the national strike which took place on the 27th September 2017 and the march which was convened for the purpose of submitting the memorandum of demands to deferent stake holders.
The strike came as the resolution of the CC and the date was pronounced by the CEC which took place from the 28th to the 30th August 2017.
Mobilisation
After the pronouncing of the date the province made several attempts to get the programs from the affiliates and the local but only two affiliates submitted the program and no local had complied and the affiliates were NEHAWU and POPCRU.
The province further convened a provincial shop steward council which was attended by more than 800 shop stewards from all affiliates and all affiliates made a commitment
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to mobilise members for the strike. Affiliates also committed that they will avail resources to transport the members to the march on the 27 th. There was a further commitment from affiliates that they will send their mobilisation program to the office but this did not happen as said earlier.
The province convened a special campaigns committee meeting to finalise the mobilisation and only four affiliates attended which are POPCRU; SADTU; DENOSA; SATAWU. The meeting took a resolution to set up a war room in the SADTU provincial office in Mafikeng and that each affiliate must release at least five shop stewards to be part of the war room program a letter to this effect was issued to all affiliates but the war room was left to the local and the provincial office alone.
Most affiliates were doing mobilisation in their own activities despite the fact that they had failed to submit the program. Most members became aware of the activity through the media and some affiliates had not done enough work to inform members about the strike as members were directed to the COSATU provincial office
The general report we got from affiliates was that there was sufficient mobilisation on the ground but we are worried that on the day of the activity there were leaders of the affiliates who were calling the provincial office of COSATU asking about the details of the march. This shows that these leaders have not been on the ground doing the work
Material
The province received four boxes of pamphlets on the 21st September and this was only three working days before the activity. This had an impact on our ability to distribute the pamphlets. There were no posters provided of produced for the activity. We also received sufficient amount of placards to be used in the march. Despite this works continued to produce their own placard with the messages they feel is relevant for them
Role of the PEC
The members of the PEC were not part of the mobilisation program of the federation but most of them were present throughout the march.
CEC deployees
We received the list of the members of the CEC deployed to the province but none of them came before the day of the march. All members of the CEC arrived on the day of the march and they were as follows:
Solly Phetoe COSATU DGS Louisa Thipe SACCAWU President Gloria Kgoleng SADTU Vice President Kgomotso Makhupola NEHAWU Treasurer Eric Gcilitshana NUM Health and safety
Role of the alliance
The SACP was part of the march and the ANCWL joined the march at the place where we were supposed to hand deliver the memorandum. ANC and SANCO were not part of the march. The PYA was also part of the march
Transport
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Affiliated had made commitments to provide transport for their members but affiliates like SACCAWU and SATAWU were not able to do so and transport from the following affiliates was noted:
1. NUM 2. DENOSA3. NEHAWU 4. POPCRU5. SADTU
Attendance to the march
At the time when we gathered the attendance was worrisome but when we started to march we had at least 5000 marches by the attendance improved with time and by the march started we had more than 5000 marches starting the march. The number improved as some members joined along the way and by the time we arrived at the point where we were supposed to deliver the memorandum we had an estimated the crowd to be 11000
Handing of the memorandum
We had invited the office of the premier; the department of labour and the chamber of mines to receive the memoranda. The office of the premier had made a commitment to avail a person to accept the memorandum and they instead send a chief whip of the legislature and not a member of the executive. This angered the marchers and they demanded that the premier must come in person to receive the memorandum. The leadership took the decision not to hand over the memo. Therefore as the province the memorandum was not delivered.
Conclusion
In as much as our overall conclusion is that we had a successful march with very good attendance the same cannot be said about the strike. It was business as usual in most companies as they operated as if there was not strike
The political situation in the Province
Since 2005 the political situation in the province has been limping from one crisis to another. There was a near collapse of the election in 2009 to the point where the ANC national had to deploy an intervention team to come and lead the election in the province. This was ocastrated by the fact that the entire PEC of the ANC was in support of the third term in the national conference in Polokwane. There are unproven allegations that the formation of COPE was coordinated from within the ANC PEC in the province which something that we need to find time and discuss.
Of the top five officials of the ANC elected in 2005 only one is still in the PEC and in the top five; the rest of them are no longer there. This can illustrate the inability to sustain leadership and the continued fragmentation of the factions in the ANC.
For the period under review we had at least four premiers of which two of them had to be recalled in the middle of their term one being on the basis of capacity while the other being on the basis of allegation of corruption and the collapse of the state in that there
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were no services provided to the people of the province. At the time of writing the report there was still a deadlock on who will be a caretaker premier to take us to the coming elections.
The current spates of developments are not different from what we saw in the Bantustan era in that the leader of the state had tentacles in all areas which have potential for business
As said earlier in the report that there have been protests in the province we should note that this was not the beginning. Since 2011 the province have been marred with service delivery protest in almost all communities ranging from a number of issues and still today those issues are not yet addressed. While some of the issue raised in the protest were genuine some were coming from political tradeoffs made during the election process in that some comrades were mobilised on the basis that they would be deployed in government.
While we condemn the violence in the protest we should also note the fact that these protest managed to catch the attention of the leadership to intervene on the state of governance in the province. This has seen the application of section 100 1b on the entire provincial administration. This is an indictment to all of us who lead the alliance in province as this means that we have failed the people of the province to the point that national had to take over.
While the situation turned out to be what it was in the province the progressive organisations have been found wanting in that more often in the protest which took place in the past month the people of the province led themselves throughout their struggles.
In this regard as COSATU and the SACP we are expected to lead the society from a Marxist ideological point. This is raised on the basis that the ANC has clearly pronounced to be a broad church and its strategy and tactics works towards building a national democratic society.
The failure of the ANC to lead society to the full implementation of the freedom charter gives an opportunity to some radical opposition parties like the EFF. Since its inception the EFF have not crafted any new policies but they have manage to lead enormous campaigns on the policies and programs of the ANC. This continues to appeal to the traditional voters of the ANC as historically ANC policies are pro poor people who form part of the majority of the voters of our country.
In as much as there is an argument that says the charter is not a socialist document or policy we believe that its full implementation will create a fertile ground for the socialist struggle to thrive. This thus then call for the ANC to relook at its attitude towards the charter and start to lead in towards its full implementation; failure to do this will create a platform for the EFF to lead vigorous campaigns on the charter to an extent that they will make it their manifesto in the coming elections; this must include the program to make all progressive pro poor policies to become government policies.
State of governance in the province
The 2015/ 2016 auditor general report found that only two municipalities in the province could obtain clean audit the rest had qualified audit some with adverse findings. The major concern from the auditor general is the over sight role and the
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governance in the municipality. Most of them have not been able to perform their tasks as required by the constitution.
In 2016/2017 the Auditor General could not find any clean audit in any of the municipalities. And the same concerns as raised in the previous report still surfaced. Also there is a rise in irregular expenditure in all the municipalities. What is of most concern is the investment made by some of the municipalities in a bank which is now on verge of collapsing.
At the level of the provincial department only two departments got clean audit for the financial year 2016/2017. And the same issue of poor governance have been raised by the Auditor General. What is also worrying is that the matter of irregular expenditure is escalating and the office of the premier which must play an oversight role in the provincial departments is also implicated in the same irregular expenditure
There has been a collapse in the public service system with health being affected the most. The procurement processes in the state have been undermined by the so called provincial concretes which have not been programatised and allocated budged votes. In this regard it meant that the funding for these pillars was coming from other budget item and this has contributed to the irregular expenditure in the province.
The assessment above collaborates what we made in the assumptions earlier when we said “There was manifestation of corruption in all spheres of government in the province and state resources were used to fund factions. There is no ideology but self-interest and greed”
The findings of the Auditor General confirm the fact that there is no state in the provincial but the coordination of corruption using the state.
We should also look at the authenticity of the Auditor General reports. This is raised against the fact that of the two municipalities which got clean audit in the financial year 2015/2016 there have been some activities which constitute irregularities an example is that RSM district municipality made an investment amounting to millions of Rands to VBS despite the fact that the law does not allow cash deposits in mutual banks. Kgetleng owes ESKOM millions and this means that the money which was supposed to pay ESKOM have been redirected somewhere. Hence we say that the authenticity of the auditor general must be looked at.
State of the alliance
The reality is that the state of the alliance has not changed in the province. The alliance remains to be an alliance of managing crisis and alliance of elections despite that there is no common strategic program which is executed by the alliance as a whole. This could be informed by the fact that one alliance partner is now the ruling part and always want to be left alone to govern despite our historical political ideological resolve. The alliance has lost its power to be political centre in which a common strategies political program is determined.
We note that instead of the relations improving the alliance partners are more antagonistic to each other rather than working together. These divisions deepen after every elections and turns to improve in the way towards the elections.
We must concede as the province that we talk about the alliance just because we are part of the national organisation but in principle the alliance exists in theory and not in practice in this province.
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In 2010 the COSATU CEC made the following observation:
“At the November 2009 Alliance Summit the ANC contested a previous agreement that the Alliance should be the political centre. The irony of the resistance by some ANC leaders to take forward the agreement that the Alliance should be the strategic political centre, is that the ANC itself is not acting as a strategic centre, and that resistance comes particularly from ANC leaders who are in government, who don’t want government to be held accountable by the ANC or the Alliance. Further, the statement that the ANC is the leader of the Alliance is interpreted by some to mean that it is the sole political centre, in a way, which marginalises the SACP and COSATU as the General Secretary of the SACP, recently pointed out.”8
The situation still remains the same in particular in the North West province as observed by the 2010 CEC.
State of the ANC
The ANC is a national liberation movement. It was formed in 1912 to unite the African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and economic change.
For ten decades the ANC has led the struggle against racism and oppression, organising mass resistance, mobilising the international community and taking up the armed struggle against apartheid.
Later the ANC was influenced by the SACP and it then adopted a class character hence we saw a working class biased strategy and tactic from the Morogoro conference. This character was later abandoned by the ANC post democracy in particular in the late 90s early 2000
The congress must be pre occupied by the debate on whether the ANC is capable to deliver a socialist order in South Africa?
There has been high level of turnover in the PEC of the ANC to the fact that most of them have not been able to serve beyond one term. But we also need to do analyses of the general capacity of the PEC. In that we need to ask ourselves if we have the comrades who are equal to the task as expected on them by the movement in the province and the country. Do they have the necessary attributes to lead society as the ANC is the leader of society? Our assumption in this regard is that we do not have a PEC of the ANC but we have a group of cheer leaders who are at all times ready to sing to the master. The observation we make is that the province have turned into a feudal institution in which the will of the master becomes law.
The leadership of the ANC is not as it was elected in the 2015 conference. The provincial treasurer unfortunately past away in a car accident and the provincial secretary have been directly elected in the NEC. The current leadership is as follows:
Chairperson Supra Mahumapelo Deputy Chairperson Sello Lehari Acting Secretary Suzan Dantjie Acting Treasurer Boitumelo Mahlangu
8 COSATU CEC Political Discussion Paper September 2010
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The ANC in the regions have been the weakest. For the period under review most of the regions have not been able to convene regional conferences and some have been disbanded. At this stage the province has only one region which has an REC elected from the conference albeit disputed by some the other two regions are under the RTT while Kenneth Kaunda has failed to convene the conference since February 2017. The meeting of the NWC with the branches failed in three regions and in Bojanala the NWC concluded that there are no branches of the ANC on the ground. In this regard it becomes of paramount importance for us to build the ANC.
ANC SUB COMMITTEES
The federation is allocated seats to participate in the ANC PEC sub committees which are called when the chair of that committee is available or when there is someone who must be replaced, such as the deployment committee, this committee meets only when the chair is available, the other committees do not meet at all, there has been poor coordination of all those sub committees, except the secretariat and the deployment committee. These are the sub committees of the ANC
Secretariat Deployment Peace and Stability Governance Economic Transformation Social Transformation Media and Communication Political education and training Campaigns and Organizing renewal International Relations Finance Gender
All the above sub committees, the federation are represented but poor coordination from the ANC conveners.
State of the SACP
The Party remains stable in the province but it has not been immune from the infiltration from the factions of the ANC. The party continues to implement its programs in the province particularly the one which on the honouring the fallen heroes. They have also played a leading role in the build up toward the ANC 54 th conference in that they convened and led the progressive forces to campaign for comrade Cyril Ramaphosa to be the president of the ANC and later of the state.
The SACP convened the provincial congress in October 2017 and elected new leadership with new mandate. We should also note that this congress took pace only two years since the last congress which was held in January 2015. The following were elected unopposed as leaders of the SACP
Provincial Secretary: Madoda Sambatha Provincial Chairperson: Smuts Matshe Provincial Treasurer: Washington Ntozeni First Deputy Provincial Secretary: Sabata Mapheelle Second Deputy Provincial Secretary: Thabo Mashomo Deputy Provincial Chairperson: Tebogo Modise
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State of SANCO
At its inception SANCO was formed on the basis that it will be a national organisation coordinating all civic organisation which were formed everywhere in the communities this means that SANCO was like a federation of civic organisations. This was informed by the basis that communities have common struggles which some time differ in character therefore it was difficult for a national organisation to lead all the struggles at the same time. It was also used to unite the communities around common civic issues.
This character has since change in that it has now become an organisation in which any person can lion individually. The debate we must engage on is on whether this new character benefits SANCO and its membership and whether it is able to carry out its mandate.
SANCO remains stable in the province despite the fact that the provincial Chair is based in Cape Town. They have been in the forefront of some of the community issues but during the unrest in the province they were also caught napping like all other alliance partners.
We should find a way to have a discussion on how do we support SANCO in the province in order for it to take up community issues and be the one which champions the issues of service delivery.
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