From August 23 to 26, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) held an historic meeting of its Central Executive Committee (CEC) in Cape Town . The CEC consists of leadership of all Cosatu’s 21 affiliates.
This was the first time the Cosatu CEC ever met outside Gauteng . In addition to its normal business, the CEC engaged with its ANC allies in Parliament and government on policy issues, playing its part in drawing up and implementing the People’s Contract to create jobs and eradicate poverty. The meeting was addressed by Ministers and with ANC study groups and high-level officials. On Thursday, August 26, the President of COSATU, Willie Madisha, addressed the ANC caucus.
The frank but comradely exchanges with MPs and government leaders underscored the shared commitment to implement the commitments we agreed to in the ANC election manifesto and the Growth and Development Summit resolutions.
Jobs and poverty:
COSATU will soon launch a campaign against job losses in Telkom, Cape Town Metro, DRD and Harmony as well as the manufacturing sector in general. This follows from the CEC’s decision to revitalise the Jobs and Poverty Campaign, in line with Cosatu’s 2015 programme, Consolidating Working Class Power for Quality Jobs.
This campaign will see Cosatu mobilising to confront the continuing job loss carnage. We will ensure that the commitments made at the GDS and in the ANC Manifesto to halve unemployment and poverty by 2014 are carried out in line with existing agreements and, if necessary, through new initiatives.
The CEC congratulated the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on its tactically brilliant intervention in the monetary policy debate, in the form of its march to the Reserve Bank, which has already resulted in a small cut in interest rates and a subsequent welcome fall in the value of the rand.
Cosatu will continue to argue for government consistently to pursue economic and trade policies that prioritise job retention and creation. Critical steps include further interest rate cuts. Exchange controls must remain in place, reinforced by ‘speed bumps’ to protect the economy from the disruptive effects of speculation on world financial markets.
The CEC called for a moratorium on all current bilateral agreements until the likely impact on jobs, poverty and developmental needs has been analysed more consistently. It appears that our bilateral trade negotiations are not informed by a well-defined strategic vision to promote industrialisation and enhance employment. In this context, the proposed Free Trade Agreement with China is a particular concern.
Cosatu condemns the failure of clothing retailers to demonstrate real commitment to job creation and the Proudly South African campaign. This emerges from their failure formally to agree to source the bulk of their products locally.
Cosatu will also vigorously oppose the entrance into South Africa of Wal-Mart and similar chains that make their profits off the exploitation of workers in both production and retail.
Broad agreement emerged between the CEC, ANC MPs and the ministers who addressed the meeting that creating jobs and slashing poverty must be our top priority.
The CEC welcomed an assurance from the Labour Minister, Membathisi Mdladlana, that his department will work to strengthen government efforts to implement the Growth and Development Summit agreements.
Cosatu and the Department of Labour will launch a joint campaign for 2005 under the theme “Picking Up Workers’ Gains”. There is still an urgent need to end the widespread flouting of labour laws by employers. The Department and COSATU will therefore conduct a drive to ensure that all workers, especially the most vulnerable, enjoy their full rights and protections under the law.
Cosatu will link this campaign to our 20th Anniversary, the 10th anniversary of the LRA and the local government elections, all of which take place next year. We will hold joint activities with the Department of Labour to celebrate the major public holidays and other days of national significance.
The Minister of Labour also informed the CEC that he plans to strengthen bilateral and multilateral institutions, such as bargaining councils and Setas. Cosatu will collaborate fully with these efforts.
The CEC welcomed the statement by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Alec Erwin , that Transnet, Eskom and Denel will remain in public hands. The Minister said he will prioritise raising new investment to expand and improve public enterprises. Cosatu will continue to engage with the minister to make sure that these state-owned enterprises serve the people and protect jobs.
Immigration laws:
The CEC welcomed the passing of amendments to the Immigration Act, which was negotiated through Nedlac, to give greater protection and legal rights to migrant workers.
Anti-terrorism Bill:
The CEC received a report on engagements between the Minister of Safety and Security and Cosatu on the draft Anti-Terrorism Bill. The meeting agreed that the government must protect the country from mindless violent acts. But the Bill must be amended to remove any possibility that workers’ rights to strike and protest could be undermined. A meeting with the Minister will soon take place, and the CEC congratulates him for his willingness to engage Cosatu.
Organisational issues:
The CEC endorsed a proposal to organise a major conference at the end of November to celebrate ten years of democracy and assess the challenges facing the trade union movement in the coming ten years. Leading political, academic and trade union speakers will be invited
The CEC noted with satisfaction that Saccawu, a union that has been through some difficult times, has recovered and is now a union in good standing. We congratulate its leaders and members.
The meeting also greeted the progress being made in the amalgamation of Fawu and Saapawu, which will create one union in the food and agriculture sector.
The CEC discussed the forensic audit report on the investment company Kopano ke Matla, which found that it had lost its stake in NBC. It was agreed to sever all relations with NBC and seek alternative companies to administer union retirement funds. Further, the CEC urged the Board of Trustees to do everything possible to recover the losses suffered by Kopano ke Matla.
Engagements with the Alliance :
Besides being addressed by the two Cabinet members, the CEC held meetings with 20 ANC Parliamentary study groups and exchanged views on a range of policy issues. This morning, the Cosatu President addressed a meeting of the ANC Parliamentary caucus to urge stronger collaboration between Cosatu and the ANC in the parliamentary process. The CEC also met with four Directors General.
This afternoon we plan a bilateral meeting between the Cosatu CEC and the ANC. We will issue a separate report on this meeting.
Preparation for the Alliance Summit :
The main items for the Alliance Summit early in September will be a review of the ten years of democracy and our vision for the next ten years. In that context, we will analyse economic transformation, transformation of the state, social development, international affairs and strategies to build the Alliance .
International issues:
Following a summit meeting of leaders of Cosatu, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Ghana Trades Union Congress, the CEC agreed to support the NLC’s fight against the Obasanjo government’s proposed new labour law. This law is designed to destroy the NLC.
Taken from Cosatu Weekly, August 27 2004