Conference should explore the country's struggle against
racism
Leaders in the tripartite alliance during their media
briefing on the Confence agaisnt Racism, Xenophobia and related intolerances
sceduled to take place towards the end of this month. Click
here for the story...
EDITORAL
Women: unite to face new challenges
It is now 45 years since more than 20 000 South African women, led
by the heroines of our liberation struggle such as
the late Cdes Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Dora Tamana, marched to
Pretoria against the extension of pass laws to African women.
This day still brings us together to acknowledge and celebrate the
contribution of women in the liberation struggle and the
transformation of our society and to remember and honour the 20,000
women who took action to protest against the extension of pass laws
to include black women in 1955.
National Women's Day in 2001, just as in 1956, takes place against
a backdrop of many challenges, most notably the assault on the role
of the state through the accelerated privatisation of state assets.
The effect has been the marginalisation of the poor, as the basic services
they desperately need have become commodified, to be run to make a profit.
COSATU has committed itself to use National Women's Day for two important
reasons:
To build on the foundations laid by our heroines of 1956 by
ensuring that the visions, principles and goals they espoused and cherished
are fully realised
The maximum mobilisation of all our people in defence of the
gains made in the course of our struggle. This includes our campaigns
against privatisation, HIV/AIDS, job losses, racism, poverty, and unemployment.
We will relentlessly campaign against:
- Marginalisation of women in the workplace
and society in general;
- Globalisation, with its neo liberal underpinnings
which pose a major threat and intensified exploitation;
- Poverty that wears a feminist face;
- Sexual harassment and violence against women
and children;
- Trafficking of women and children for domestic
work and prostitution
- HIV/AIDS, hits women especially hard;
- Appalling conditions of health and safety
at work.
COSATU is therefore committed to:
- Organising the most vulnerable sectors of
society - predominantly women workers - taking into account their
specific conditions of work;
- Strengthening a working-class led National
Women's Movement that will involve all those who believe that as a
nation we will not be free as long as women are not emancipated;
- Ensuring that the gender policies enshrined
in our Gender Policy are implemented effectively by our affiliates
and regions;
- Working towards a shared vision and common understanding of gender struggles and strategies;
- Translating the vision and principles underpinning
it to concrete action to accelerate transformation process.
To COSATU women we say:
- Participate and demand to be heard!
- Volunteer for self-empowerment and mentoring!
- Lobby vigorously for other women!
To COSATU male comrades we say:
- Become proponents of gender equity!
- Give power and solidarity to women through mentoring!
- Lobby and advocate for women leadership!
Amandla Ngawethu!
Women unite for a working class led women's movement!
Strydom! Wathint 'abafazi wathint'imbokotho!
Conference should explore the country's
struggle against racism
The Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and
Related Intolerances (WCAR) taking place in Durban from 31 August to
7 September is a milestone in the global struggle against discrimination,
oppression and exploitation.
The tripartite alliance, African National Congress, COSATU and South
African Communist Party, said today at a press conference in Johannesburg.
The alliance said the conference is a unique occasion for all South
Africans as it reflects on the history of racial oppression in this
country.
They said there is a need for the conference's debates to explore the
rich tradition on non-racial struggle that formed the heart of the struggle
against colonialism and apartheid.
"We need to examine the significant progress made in beginning
to tackle racial discrimination and inequality in society, and identify
the many areas in which all South Africans need to apply their energies
in forging a non-racial and non-sexist society," said the alliance.
It said South Africa's non-racialism acknowledges the history and
the nature of the society that black people in general, and Africans
in particular, have been, and continue to be the victims of the consequences
created by the apartheid social order.
The alliance further said the question of reparations, which formed
one of the contentious debates ahead of the conference, correctly identifies
the need for compensation to the millions of people who have suffered,
and continue to suffer, as a result of the most brutal forms of racism.
The alliance partners and the broader South African public are scheduled
to participate in a Global March against Racism on September, 1 in Durban.
The march, it said, will be an opportunity for the South Africans and
the delegates alike to demonstrate solidarity with ongoing struggles
against racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination.
Radebe's statements misleading
COSATU this week rejected comments by the minister of Public Enterprises,
Jeff Radebe, that the federation has agreed with his department's policy
framework when it was first published last year. Minister Radebe gave
an impression in the Business Day that the partners within the tripartite
alliance, including COSATU, have been consulted in build-up to the now
intended privatisation of state enterprises.
The federation called this misinterpretation of the facts and called
on Radebe to stop making such statements, as they will only add insult
to many injuries the nation has already suffered through privatisation.
Said COSATU: "It is true that the Department of Public Enterprises
(DPE) consulted with COSATU over its document. At one point it even
proposed a joint drafting team. That team never became operational."
The federation said as part of the consultative process, it submitted
objective inputs to the document's drafters as it had "reckless
approach" to job losses and its reliance on competition as a means
of making the economy more effective.
COSATU said the DPE effectively ignored its inputs. "We maintained,
then as now, that South Africa's massive inequalities in incomes mean
privatisation can neither serve the needs of the poor nor support development,"
said COSATU.
It said one example that illustrated the DPE's turning of a deaf ear
to its inputs is the restructuring of three parastatals, Eskom, Transnet
and Telkom. The federation said it has found the Minister "highly
unrealistic as a negotiating partner.
Said COSATU: "The ministry sees its role as accelerating privatisation
at any costs, irrespective of sectoral and national needs or commitments
made in discussions with COSATU. In that context, it agrees repeatedly
to reach consensus on issues, and then pushes through its own position
regardless."
The federation said because of the Ministry's persistent bad-faith
bargaining it would not, as announced publicly, have any one-on-one
meetings with it. However, it said it would take part in National Framework
Agreement (NFA) structures where the Ministry is represented.
Union closes wage negotiations with Chamber as demands are met
More than 96 000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
last Friday had their wage demands met by the Chamber of Mines - averting
an anticipated crippling strike in the mining industry after only a
day of action.
The union's deputy president, Crosby Moni, said this year's wage between
the NUM and the Chamber of Mines is being regarded by the union as a
"negotiations with a difference."
He said that for the first time in the wage negotiations history none
of the original demands the union tabled were removed during the negotiations.
He said every demand tabled was an attempt to turn the industry into
a humane and caring one. Moni also appreciated the support the union
received from the international mining investors.
"We must also add that for the first time we had received messages
of support from gold investors throughout the world who, whilst afraid
of the impact of a looming strike, were horrified to hear of the conditions
under which miners in South Africa work.
They were sympathetic with our demands especially those in dispute,"
said Moni.
He said the union's members, who he said were consulted throughout the
negotiation process, endorsed their support to the offers made by mining
companies, Goldfields, Harmony and DRD. He said what is left is the
implementation of the deal by the companies.
Union still on strike for living wage
The impasse that has hit the wage negotiations between the motor industry
and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has this week seen
the proposal by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
(CCMA) to intervene, in an effort to facilitate talks between the two
parties.
At the time of going to press, Numsa was still thinking through the
proposal. More than 21 000 Numsa members this week downed tools in demand
for 12 percent wage hikes from the employers' body, Automobile Employers
Organisation. AMEO is offering an increase of 7,5, which the union labelled
"pathetic".
The union, however, has indicated that CCMA's intervention does not
mean that they will compromise their demands. "In the current circumstances
the strike is unavoidable given the fact that employers continue with
their "don't care" attitude.
They displayed naïve, cavalier and paternalistic attitude."
Numsa said AMEO's behaviour in the negotiations could not be interpreted
as "bargaining in a fair manner" - something that forced the
workers into the strike. Said the union: "Workers do not embark
on industrial strike arbitrarily, they are being forced by circumstances.
In this case the employers have been arrogant. Workers have tried their
utmost best to find a solution but employers are reluctant to do the
same".
It said the wages by the South African car manufacturers' employees
are "pathetic" as compare to their German, American or Japanese
counterparts. The union said the disparity in wage figures shows that
local workers cannot even afford to purchase a car despite an increase
in annual production.
"The union conducted a study in the car manufacturing companies
on wage rates and labour productivity in the last two years, the study
exposed that real wages of workers remain the same every year but labour
productivity increased drastically.
Most of the car companies are doing business international and getting
dollars and pounds in profits," said Numsa. The strike is today
in its fifth day.
About 20 projects approved for funding - JCT
About R 3 926 266 has been approved so far to fund 20 projects countrywide,
the trustees of the Job Creation Trust Fund announced this week.
The Job Creation Trust Fund was established by the three trade union
federations, COSATU, Fedusa and Nactu, to help alleviate joblessness
in this country through funding of job-creating projects. The trust
now has over R84-million in its investment account.
The contracts, which would be signed between the approved projects
and the trustees, will reflect all condition applying to the projects.
The trustees of the trust said this week that the trust has received
over 3 000 applications with the Northern Province registering more
applications.
However, it said many applications would turn down due to financial
constraints. Said the trustees of the trust: "The appraisal and
approval stage is ongoing and is time-consuming as the trustees had
instructed the Development Band of Southern Africa that the projects
appraisal should include a physical visit before a final recommendation
can be made."
The trust said that although a there is a criteria is being used in
approving requests by projects, a preference will be given to mostly
impoverished provinces.
It said projects that are requesting over R5-million would only be
considered if they have huge economies of scale and their impact is
very large.
"Grants are for non-profit making ventures like village based
HIV/Aids programmes and projects that have an income-generating component
will receive a soft loan. The exact rate of the interest is still to
be finalised by the trustees," said the trust.
For easy monitoring, evaluation and to avoid duplication, it said the
projects would be integrated and partnership will be facilitated.
"Preferred projects should be those with the largest permanent
job-creation potential, meaning that socially desirable projects like
schools and bridges cannot be prioritised, said the trust.
The trustees of the trust have further taken a decision to inform applicant
not falling within the criteria immediately in order to enable them
to look for alternative funding.
The criteria for funding
- How much project complies with the Job Creation Trust
- Sustainability of project and ownership of project
by a group, cooperative, community etc;
- Number of permanent jobs to be created per amount
requested;
- Multiplier effect as measured by potential forward
and backward linkages of projects;
- Environmental and socio economic impact
Industrial strike action looming in the tyre and rubber
industry.
A crippling wage strike is looming in the tyre industry as the National
Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the employers' organisation
in the sector could not reach an agreement during the meeting held on
Wednesday this week.
More than 6 000 Numsa members in the sector are expected to take to the
streets against the employers' offer of 6,75 percent. The union is demanding
10 percent.
Numsa has indicated that it would hand a 48-hour notice to the employers
in order to embark on an industrial action. Numsa said the employers'
organisation in the industry has adopted a confrontational approach. "The
employer body failed to negotiate in a fair, considerate and consistent
manner and has not met the union's core demands.
Their stance has frustrated and caused bitterness amongst workers,"
said the union. It said the employers' organisation has adopted an "undemocratic
and conservative strategy" in wage talks and it is continuing to
employ temporary workers with no comprehensive benefits and training systems.
What you need to know about privatisation
Don't we need to restructure the state?
Isn't COSATU protecting its members' jobs at the cost of the broader
public? COSATU has always called for the transformation of the state.
We inherited government structures designed to serve a minority and oppress
the majority. We need new systems to extend quality services to black
communities, establish participatory democracy in all spheres of government,
and drive economic development.
Our quarrel is not with restructuring as such, but with privatisation
- where government seems to think the only way to achieve change is to
bring in the private sector.
Won't the strike harm South Africa by scaring off foreign capital,
leading to a drop in the rand?
If government wants to stop the strike, it should start negotiating
seriously. More fundamentally, experience all over the world demonstrates
that the only way to attract large sums of foreign capital is to bring
about economic growth. And the countries that have succeeded have gone
against the wisdom of the international bankers - countries like China
and South Korea.
The measures government insists on to reassure foreign markets - including
privatisation and budget cuts - undermine domestic investment and our
economy as a whole. The only capital they can attract is short-term, portfolio
investment in stocks and bonds.
Those resources leave as fast as they come, causing economic havoc. For
instance, foreign portfolio investment dropped from R80 billion in 1990
to R11 billion last year. Selling off state assets may bring in foreign
buyers, but it doesn't increase total investment.
We need to find ways to build a robust economy on the basis of our own
resources and expertise. Only then can we expect foreign capital to accelerate
growth. That is why COSATU demands sector job summits and other measures
to build the economy.
Does the strike mean the Alliance is over?
The Alliance is like a marriage: every disagreement doesn't mean a divorce.
Besides, the majority of ANC members support our position on privatisation.
But government says it consulted COSATU on its policy framework?
It's true the DPE consulted COSATU on its policy framework. Then it ignored
virtually everything we said. For that reason, when the policy framework
was published, we objected to it publicly. There are clearly many officials
in government who think that good policy can be made by bureaucrats in
backrooms. More listening and less talking would have given us a better
policy on privatisation - and less conflict now.
Letters
COSATU Weekly believes that there are a variety
of weekly developments that need to be discussed or raised to the attention
of the readers and workers at large. If you have any compliments, queries
or comments on the current issues, send us your brief letter to The
Editor or fax it to (011) 339-7788. The newsletter can only publish
a few letters a week.
Dear Editor
Re donation for Swazi refugees in Amsterdam- Mpumalanga…
The Swaziland Solidarity Network is appealing for donations of any kind
for the evicted refugees from the two villages in Swaziland who are now
housed by our comrades in Amsterdam.
These people are direct victims of the autocratic rule of the king of
Swaziland who evicted them towards the end of last year because they resisted
the imposition of Mswati's elder brother as a double chief of these areas.
They have been surviving through handouts from individual comrades from
Swaziland and South Africa, but as the number keeps on growing there is
a dire need for all people to make contributions of whatever nature.
Primarily these people are forced to share a sheet in such cold and sometimes
go to bed without having eaten a thing.
All donations can be made through the head office of the Swaziland at
COSATU House, 7th Floor, Braamfontein, 1-5 Leyds street.
We thank you in advance. In the true spirit of international solidarity.
Fraternally yours
Sandile Phakathi
Publicity and Campaigns officer
Tel - 011 339 3621
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