The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng convened its Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting from 16 to 17July to discuss organisational, political, international and socio-economic work.
Organisationally, the PEC reflected on job losses in the province, the Section 189 consultations that are a precursor to retrenchment, challenges faced by the workers at the South African Post office and Telkom; Sibanye-Stillwater mine; Makro and Pick n Pay, to mention the few that were a point of concern.
The non-compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations and non-enforcement of National Minimum Wage by many companies in Gauteng were noted. The PEC resolved that a program of action to expose non-compliant employers should be developed and rolled out as a matter of urgency.
The PEC linked the discussions on organisational work to the 7th administration and characterised the establishment of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) as the new normal which must be confronted differently to ensure that workers’ rights are protected. The PEC resolved to build strong basic units of the Federation and her affiliates. This work should be focused on recruitment of new members, organising unorganised workers, providing shop steward training that includes basic political education as well as labour relations.
The PEC further resolved that COSATU should work towards creating a shop steward of the 21st century moulded through information technology. This will assist shop stewards to recruit and train members digitally. It is the conclusion of the PEC that venturing into organising through ICT will make it possible to recruit and train members quickly and cost effectively.
Politically, the PEC received a report on the analysis of the 2024 general elections and its outcome. The PEC felt that the analysis should not be once off but ongoing. It concluded that the election outcome was a defeat of the ANC-led Alliance because the working class was tired of empty promises and was communicating to the ANC, that should it not change the way things it does things, it will be taken out of power completely.
On the GPU, the PEC welcomed the position taken by the ANC in Gauteng to not include the anti-worker Democratic Alliance in the executive. Whilst this is appreciated, the PEC resolved that COSATU should approach this multiparty government differently. Going forward, the PEC mandated the Provincial Office Bearers to call for an Alliance summit to discuss among other issues, the GPU and its implications to the Alliance and the National Democratic Revolution, the posture of the Alliance towards the GPU and the establishment of an Alliance monitoring and evaluation committee to assess the work of ANC deployees in government.
The PEC concluded that the electoral defeat of the ANC was primarily due to the weaknesses of the basic structures of the Alliance, and as a result it was agreed that COSATU should push for the building of basic structures of the Alliance to address socio-economic challenges facing the working class at the proposed Alliance summit.
Socio-economically, the PEC noted that the province is the biggest contributor to South Africa’s GDP, and further that the economy of Gauteng is moving from the traditional industrial markets to sophisticated high value-add production. The ongoing challenges of high unemployment, crime, corruption, gender-based violence and escalating kidnappings, were of serious concern. It was agreed that the implementation of National Health Insurance was a priority campaign. Matters of human settlement, including hijacked buildings and NPO’s challenges with the Department of Social Development were cause for worry, as the PEC believed no lives should be lost in those sectors.
The PEC rejected the surcharge of R200 imposed by the City of Johannesburg (COJ) to citizens who use prepaid electricity. The PEC warned COJ to scrap the surcharge or face the might of COSATU.
On the international frontthe PEC appreciated and welcomed the posture taken by the government of South Africa to declare a dispute of genocide against Israeli, in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The continued suppression and incarceration of political activists in Eswatini, the economic blockage at CUBA, human rights challenges at Venezuela and Western Sahara were viewed as a cause for serious concern. The PEC resolved to strengthen solidarity campaigns with the people of these countries.
The PEC resolved on the Program of Action as follows:
The PEC agreed to the call for Section 77 protest action in September 2024, as resolved by the COSATU Central Executive Committee held on 18 to 20 June, in defence of jobs, non-payment of the minimum wage, defence of collective bargaining and compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Issued by COSATU Gauteng
Provincial Chairperson: Amos Vusi Monyela, 079 493 5002
Provincial Secretary: Louisah Modikwe, 082 297 2659, 066 182 2402