The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) representing over 1.5 million workers across various sectors, convened its 8th Central Committee (CC) in Benoni, Ekurhuleni from 15 to18 September under the theme, “Build Working-Class Unity for Economic Liberation Towards Socialism”.

More than 340 delegates representing 16 Affiliates engaged in robust but disciplined debate, assessed the work of the Federation since the last Congress and resolved on an action plan as the Federation heads towards its National Congress in September 2026. The Central Executive Committee is set to formulate concrete programmes for implementation based on the action plan. 

Joined by its Alliance partners (the ANC, SACP and SANCO), international guests and fraternal organisations, the CC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) as the direct path to socialism and addressing the deepening crises of capitalism.

The CC critically analysed the regression of the NDR, exacerbated by neoliberal austerity policies of the Government of National Unity and its over reliance on the commitments of capital to government’s developmental mandates. These policies over years have failed and instead led to rising unemployment, inequality and poverty, disproportionately affecting women, youth, and working-class communities. The economy has stalled at 1% growth rate, with unemployment at 42.9% and 73.1% for youth aged between 15 and 24. South Africa is plagued by endemic crime and corruption and struggling public and municipal services. The Federation views this as a betrayal of the working class and a regression in the revolutionary struggle.

There were, however, gains to celebrate including the successful implementation of the Two-Pot Pension system, which the Federation championed from conception to date of effect on 1 September 2024. To date, these long-sought pension reforms have released over R60 billion into the hands of more than 3.5 million indebted workers. COSATU is engaging in robust negotiations to ease the unbearable painful tax burden upon workers, to ensure those who lose their jobs have access to all their savings and to give greater relief to help workers reduce their suffocating levels of debt. 

The period under review also saw progressive legislation championed by COSATU passed including the National Health Insurance (NHI) and the Expropriation Act, though both are being challenged at the Constitutional Court. The CC resolved to work closely with government to prepare for the NHI court challenge whilst continuing to campaign actively for its full implementation because it lays the ground for universal healthcare.

The CC also resolved to campaign in defence of the Expropriation Act, including its pending Constitutional Court challenge; and to accelerate the cause of land reform and redistribution to release land to unlock economic opportunities, access to land for farming and housing for the dispossessed Black majority.

Undeterred by the shenanigans during the tabling of the budget earlier this year, the Federation has resolved to intensify its campaigns against government’s neo-liberal austerity budget cuts that have crippled the delivery of frontline services. We will push for government to adopt a bold and progressive budget, enabling it to fulfil its developmental mandate, stimulate inclusive economic growth, create decent jobs and provide relief for the poor and the unemployed.

Delegates expressed deep concern about the retrenchments taking place across various sectors including at Glencore, ArcelorMittal, Goodyear and most recently Coca-Cola. To mitigate the fallout, COSATU will intervene with the Minister for Employment and Labour to resolve the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Temporary Employee Relief Scheme and ensure government puts in place relief for at risk workers and companies.     

The impact of exorbitant electricity price hikes on economic growth, industrial sectors, and job losses was also noted. It was resolved to engage government and Eskom to develop strategies to reduce dependency on above-inflation tariff hikes, including addressing corruption, wastage, vandalism, and cable theft. Support to stabilise Eskom along with other state-owned enterprises such as Transnet, Metro Rail, SABC, Denel, South African Post Office and Postbank are essential to ensure the state delivers frontline services and transforms society. This includes filling vacant critical posts for doctors, nurses, teachers, SAPS, Home Affairs and other frontline staff.

The CC highlighted the global balance of forces, marked by imperialist wars, ecological destruction, and the exploitation of the Global South as providers of raw materials. It condemned the heightened aggression of the global superpowers of the industrialised north, including the Trump administration’s trade wars and the EU’s green protectionist measures, which threaten South Africa’s sovereignty and economic stability. COSATU calls on the South African government to challenge these unilateral actions through multilateral platforms like the World Trade Organisation and to prioritise intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). 

The turmoil wrought on by tariffs necessitates strategic negotiations to navigate global trade and open new trade opportunities for South African economic sectors, particularly through the ACFTA. While it is critical to expand trade relations, we must ensure we do so in a manner that does not threaten but supports South African jobs by intensifying COSATU’s call for affordable electricity prices to stimulate industrial growth, in particular the mining and manufacturing sectors.

COSATU resolved to strengthen international solidarity with oppressed peoples globally. The CC endorsed concrete actions, including solidarity campaigns for Palestine, Swaziland, Western Sahara, Cuba, and Venezuela, and pledged to intensify efforts to build a united and militant international trade union movement. The rallying call, “Workers of the world, unite!”, remains central to COSATU’s vision of global working-class solidarity.

Domestically, the CC emphasised the need to sharpen class consciousness and strengthen worker unity to confront the fragmentation of the working class under neoliberalism.  COSATU resolved to intensify political education, mobilise workers on the shopfloor, and expand socialist forums to deepen class consciousness. The Federation will also prioritise campaigns for decent work, universal healthcare and social security.

The CC reaffirmed its commitment to the Living Wage campaign, linking it to broader struggles against austerity and the cost-of-living crisis. It resolved to advocate for safe workplaces and ensure compliance with labour laws, including the National Minimum Wage. Recognising the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence and automation, COSATU called for trade union oversight and bargaining to protect workers’ rights and ensure job security.

The CC also resolved to mobilise, raise awareness and dialogue about gender-based violence (GBV), and to organise a summit to bring men together in a Bua-monna summit to discuss and address issues contributing to GBV. 

All three of the Federation’s Alliance partners delivered revolutionary messages of support to the CC.

The CC resolved to intensify efforts to reconfigure the Alliance and build a united socialist movement to contest neoliberalism, austerity and imperialist aggression. COSATU will expedite engagements with its allies to ensure that the Alliance has a clear path towards the 2026 local elections. Further engagements will take place at the CEC, within Affiliate structures as well as with members and workers, and during our Congress in September 2026.

COSATU’s 8th Central Committee concluded with a resolute call to action – workers must organise, build unity, and mobilise across workplaces, communities and international borders.

The Federation will commemorate World Day for Decent Work on 7 October anchored around cost-of-living issues impacting workers. As it heads towards its 40th anniversary celebration at Dobsonville Stadium on 6 December, COSATU remains steadfast in its revolutionary mission to dismantle the structures of exploitation and build a socialist future as the only route to equality, justice, and solidarity.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 or 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za