The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) notes with disdain and bemusement the bizarre attempt by some inconsequential Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP), Ryan Smith’s ludicrous attempt to dictate to Organised Labour its composition at the G20’s Labour Stream (L20). If this were the mere rantings of some ill-informed crank, it would suffice to dismiss them as exactly that. However, as Mr. Smith is now an MP, workers have the right to hold him to a higher standard since not only is he being paid with their hard-earned taxes, but he has been entrusted with passing laws and budgets that impact upon the entire nation.
It is a pity that Mr. Smith chose not to listen to, nor read the detailed presentation provided by COSATU on behalf of Organised Labour to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee: International Relations and Cooperation or even the answers provided to his questions on how Organised Labour is constituted at Nedlac, in South Africa and respective international forums. If he had spent a little more time listening and less pondering on what little press statement he could craft, he would have heard his very questions being answered at length.
Parliament passed the Nedlac Act in 1995 (one appreciates that this was before young Mr. Smith’s time). It establishes South Africa’s legislated social dialogue forum where government, business, labour and civil society engage on key socio-economic and labour laws and policies. The Nedlac Act and Protocol provide the criteria for each social partner’s representation. In the case of Organised Labour, it is the four Federations led by COSATU as the majority federation, but inclusive of our sister formations, namely FEDUSA, NACTU and SAFTU.
Organised Labour’s representation at various international forums from the International Labour Organisation to BRICS, AGOA and yes, the G20’s L20 reflect this formula. In addition to this and as part of government’s efforts to ensure meaningful and inclusive participation by Organised Labour (and yes Mr. Smith all four federations), the Department of Employment and Labour secured seats and invited one representative from each of the four federations to participate in the G20’s Employment Working Group where the various member states’ Ministers for Labour facilitate their engagements. The L20 which will be launched on Monday 17 February, eGqeberha is organised by Labour through the International Trade Unions’ Council (ITUC) and again all four South African federations will be participating.
The composition and representation of Organised Labour is a matter for workers to determine. As if this was not enough Mr. Smith has now stated in a strange press release that he demands government impose various fringe employers’ organisations and right wing think tanks to participate in Organised Labour’s L20 events! Amazingly some of these organisations are the very ones spreading falsehoods about South Africa across the world at great cost to investment and the economy. We do not look kindly upon any politician telling workers who should represent them. This will never be tolerated.
Instead of writing the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, ill-informed letters demanding this and that, perhaps Mr. Smith would do better to applaud the South African Government for being both inclusive, opening up space for Labour to engage on issues, and respecting how the federations organise themselves through Nedlac.
Whilst Mr. Smith may dismiss Organised Labour’s support for such common sense and progressive concepts as a minimum wage, decent work, fair labour practises, sustainable and inclusive development amongst others, these are precisely the mandates given by workers to Organised Labour at Nedlac, Parliament and international forums, including the L20.
Mr. Smith’s offence at seeing a picture of Nelson Mandela, the first democratic President of the Republic, South Africa’s founding father, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate amongst so many other well-earned accolades; speaks volumes about the values driving this unknown MP. COSATU is proud of South Africa’s rich liberation history and the countless sacrifices so many endured to achieve the very democracy Mr. Smith now enjoys as an MP.
COSATU having been intricately involved in the struggle to achieve South Africa’s constitutional dispensation and building a democratic Parliament since, appreciates the excitement of a new MP and the desire to score headlines. However, Mr. Smith would do well to spend time reading various legislation, including the Nedlac Act and our other progressive labour laws, and listening to the views of the public, in particular workers’ whose sweat and blood runs this economy and who have suffered endless pains at the hands of incompetent and inadequate politicians.
We note that Mr. Smith has barely spent 8 months in Parliament. The DA would do well to put some safety rails, perhaps training wheels, as well as supervision and quality control mechanisms on its young and excitable MPs. The country is facing multiple and extremely serious crises from a 41.9% unemployment rate to sluggish economic growth, struggling public and municipal services, to very delicate geo-political turmoil. We simply do not have time to indulge juvenile antics that are better placed in a high school boys’ locker room, not Parliament.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks(Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za