LABOUR

THE WORK AHEAD

COSATU asserts that with the struggle for employment and decent working conditions ongoing, Workers’ Day is as relevant as ever

Across the world and in South Africa workers celebrate the 1st of May to commemorate their sacrifices in fighting exploitation, slavery and abuse. Trade union leaders including Vuyisile Mini, who was hung by the apartheid regime, are honoured for giving their lives for the struggles to defend workers and improve their lives.

Workers’ Day is a time to recognise the historic achievements of workers and trade unions. Achievements that include winning the right to exist and protest unfair labour practices through strike action. Protests that enact prohibition of child labour, equal pay for equal work, paid maternity leave, protection from the worst forms of abuse, paid time off and the right to a safe working place. It is a moment for workers and unions to reflect on the challenges facing those among their ranks and their families and to recommit themselves for the struggles ahead.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and its ally the African National Congress, together with the Tripartite Alliance, have won major victories for workers over the past three decades. Significant breakthroughs such as the democratic breakthrough of 1994 and the Constitution of 1996, which enshrines the right to unionise, to strike and to work in decent and safe conditions. Progressive labour laws have been put in place that allow for workers to fight for their rights through collective bargaining; to work in safe conditions; to be given paid maternity and parental leave; and be given paid time off and the opportunity to celebrate public holidays.

In 2019 the National Minimum Wage Act lifted the wages of six million workers, who were often paid a pittance. The legislation has benefited 900 000 domestic workers, 800 000 farm workers and millions of workers in retail, hospitality, transport, cleaning, construction and security.

Working with government and business during the height of Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021, COSATU ensured the release of over R63-billion from the Unemployment Insurance Fund to help 5.5 million private sector workers who had lost wages take care of their families. This helped prevent millions of job losses. Twenty-seven million unemployed persons currently receive social grants from government, subsidised public transport, free basic education and school meals. The poor receives free tertiary education and subsidised public health care. The progress that has been achieved is plain to see and more is yet to come.

Currently, the Compensation of Injury on Duty Amendment Bill is before Parliament.

If passed, it will provide workplace injury on duty insurance for domestic workers and make it easier for workers to claim from the Compensation Fund and, so doing, extend their cover and benefits.

However, much remains to be done to protect workers and improve their lives. The economy is in a deep recession and facing its most diffi cult challenges in living memory. Unemployment is at an all-time high of 46%. Upwards of 2.2 million workers have lost their jobs since 2020. Millions are highly indebted and have been denied their annual increases. Infl ation is rising, as are interest rates. State-owned enterprises are in serious trouble, with Metrorail, Transnet and Eskom performing far below the levels required to take South Africa forward. Municipalities are in fi nancial distress and their workers are sent home unpaid. Government has lost billions to corruption and wasteful expenditure – funds that were needed to build the state, provide relief for the poor and stimulate the economy. Something needs to change and COSATU is working closely with government and the leadership of business at Nedlac to address these crises. The challenges are, however, too big for government or any social partner to fi x by themselves. To address and overcome them would require all South Africans to contribute to the solutions, make compromises, and even sacrifi ces. COSATU has long championed the need for a social compact and is now preparing to engage with government on what needs to be done. The organisation drafted and tabled the Eskom Social Compact at Nedlac in 2020, to help rebuild our most important national economic asset and reduce its debtburden so as to ensure the economy has reliable and affordable electricity. We have worked with government and business to develop the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan with its key pillars which, in addition to the Eskom Social Compact, include rebuilding Transnet and helping save and create thousands of mining, manufacturing and agricultural jobs; fi xing Metrorail and get 10 million workers to work on time; boosting economic productivity; tackling the billions lost to corruption; ramping up local procurement; and mobilising fi nancial resources to stimulate growth. The president’s call for a Social Compact must be premised on progressive principles such as protecting workers and providing meaningful relief to the unemployed and the poor. The focus must be to rebuild the state and tackle the fundamental obstacles to growing the economy. Workers need to be shielded from infl ation eroding their salaries. We need to invest in their skills for them to remain employed and fi nd jobs. In addition, the R350 SRD Grant needs to be enhanced as the foundation for a Basic Income Grant, and the Presidential Employment Stimulus needs to be expanded to create at least one million work opportunities for young people. More must be done to rebuild Eskom. Saving and fi xing Transnet and Metrorail must be a national priority. Clear turnaround plans are needed for our embattled SOEs, including Denel, SABC and the Post Offi ce. Delays in implementation must be eliminated. Regulation 28’s amendment to allow pension funds to invest in infrastructure must be fi nalised. The Public Procurement Bill must be expedited and strengthened to provide for a transparent online procurement system for the entire state. The Bill will be a key tool to reduce corruption and wasteful expenditure and ramp up local procurement. The private sector must play its role. Retrenchments must be a point of last, not fi rst, resort. Alternatives to retrenchments must be sought, including tapping into the UIF’s Temporary Employment Scheme. Incentives must be put into place by the banks and government to support job retention and creation. Inequality must be addressed and the apartheid wage gap in the private as well as the public sector must be actively reduced. South Africa has the potential to move from being the most unequal society to an inclusive and modern nation. Its economy is highly diversifi ed, developed and has great potential. What’s lacking is bold, determined and progressive leadership. Government needs to learn to move with speed and decisiveness. Business needs to embrace the principles of solidarity and compassion. This is what will turn the economy around and ensure that all workers have access to jobs and a decent life. Government and business will fi nd a committed partner in COSATU along this journey. The workers of South Africa and their families are looking to us to make a change.

Upwards of 2.2 million workers have lost their jobs since 2020. Millions are highly indebted and have been denied their annual increases

MATTHEW PARKS

PARLIAMENTARY COORDINATOR COSATU