The Congress of South African Trade Unions congratulates its affiliate the National Union of Mineworkers on convening a successful 16th national congress.We also congratulate the newly elected leadership and wish them in their respective positions of responsibility.
A successful congress is about consolidating democracy and workers control. We are proud that the NUM continues to be worker led and controlled and this is the tradition that will see the union survive whatever storms or challenges in the future. The union has an enormous task though of finding answers to the ongoing onslaught that is directed at the workers in the sector, where it is organised.
COSATU hopes that this congress will bring about the necessary unity not just of the NUM itself but of the workers across the board.
The process of pushing back against the cynical and sinister alliance of both government and big business will need united workers and a united working class.
Coming out of this congress, we expect to work with a united NUM to intensify our Living Wage Campaign through intensifying our struggle to combat unfairness in the workplace.
Long Live NUM! Long Live!
Issued by COSATU
Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)
Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 6794