An Injury to One is An Injury to All. workers of the World Unite. You Have Nothing to Lose But Chains of Exploitation and Slavery
In the early 1980s, a series of strikes and worker protests highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among South African workers, particularly among black labours who faced severe exploitation. This unrest prompted a movement to unify various trade unions to enhance their bargaining power and political influence. The formation of COSATU brought together 33 affiliated unions, representing a diverse range of sectors, including mining, manufacturing, and services. This unification was crucial in amplifying the voices of workers, advocating for better wages, working conditions, and workers' rights.
The Two-Pot system was first proposed by COSATU in 2020, in the throes of COVID-19, after workers were left high and dry when the payments they were expecting from the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) did not materialise.