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Harmony has four days to respond to
NUM papers
In a last ditch attempt at curbing the continuing notices to lay off
workers at the mining giant, Harmony, the National Union of Mineworkers
has served the company with papers to stop the retrenchments. The company
management will have until Monday to respond positively to the legal
papers, or else the union will immediately apply for a court interdict.
The NUM had thought serving the company with paper will open fruitful
engagement channel on its grievances.
"The current situation is that the company is continuing serving
workers with notices of lay-offs. However, most of the workers have
refused accepting the notices pending the legal processes the union
has embarked upon. It would seem that we would have to learn new ways
of interacting with Harmony in that in the last few weeks it took fourteen
days to get them to talk to us, now it is a legal route," said
the union this week.
Union general secretary Gwede Mantashe lamented the company's hostile
attitude, warning it was likely to force the union to be less accommodating
in future negotiations.
Meanwhile, the union leadership yesterday met the management of Kumba
Resources in Pretoria over the company's plans to retrench. Said Willie
Lencoe, NUM's Regional Coordinator in Kimberly: "It certainly doesn't
make sense why Kumba is considering retrenchments at a time when they
are making profits and even considering new projects that have a potential
of creating further jobs".
Credit bureaux to operate by book through
new bill
The South African Communist Party has berated the Credit Bureaux organisations'
criticism of the new National Credit Bill, which aims to regulated the
industry notorious for its ruthless and at times, unwarranted dealings
with the poor credit borrowers. According to the organisations, the
new Bill was unrealistic and will damage credit bureau business. But
the SACP has urged government to pass the Bill into an Act as soon as
possible to "wipe the slate clean and close a chapter of massive
exploitation of the poor".
"Credit bureaux and their industry associations seem to think it
is no problem that more than two million borrowers are blacklisted and
can not access credit. This blacklisting affects at least 10 million
of our people, a quarter of our population. We say it is a national
crisis and call on government to intervene on the side of the poor,"
said the Party.
The past ten years have seen government failing in its effort to extend
credit to the poor. The creation of the massive and unscrupulous microlending
industry in the 1990s, with microlenders charging unlimited interest,
left millions of poor borrowers caught in debt traps, blacklisted by
credit bureaux. Government's commitment to adopting new credit policy
and laws that will remedy these shortcomings is set to please many.
Government's own research shows that in a system where over R360bn is
provided in credit every year, the poor pay far more in interest than
the rich, making repayments difficult and credit blacklisting all too
easy. The lowest income earners pay 175% in interest a year for credit,
while the highest income earners pay only 26%. An estimated 18 million
of the poorest South Africans pay more than 360% a year in interest
on unregistered microloans. This has condemned millions to extreme debt
and end up blacklisted.
"The new Credit Bill is designed to remedy some of these ills in
the credit environment that have provided rich pickings for credit bureaux
in the past. The Bill requires credit bureaux to provide consumers with
personal credit profiles free of charge and to verify all information
they sell. This is the least credit bureaux should do. It is time they
stopped being part of the problem and become part of the solution,"
SACP said.
The Party has further appealed to the government to extend its grant
amnesty to the millions of South African currently in the books of credit
bureaux, as it has done with "capitalist criminals" who have
illegally taken money offshore during apartheid.
"The government gave amnesty to the rich who had billions of rands
in wealth offshore, so why can't it do the same for the poor? Poor communities
can not benefit from government's planned interventions in stimulating
the informal economy, or benefit from the low cost housing and other
proposals of the Financial Sector Charter, because millions of poor
people are blacklisted by credit bureaux", the Party said.
Bargaining conference sets progressive
targets
The historic national bargaining conference of the National Union of
Metalworkers of South Africa, held over the weekend in Johannesburg,
has identified trade liberalisation and attempts by business to deregulated
the current labour market as the twin factors threatening development
and employment in the country.
While hundreds of delegates at the union's watershed conference commended
government's job creating mechanisms such as the latest announcement
to add funding to the expanded public workers programme to create a
million jobs over a period of five years, they emphasised that the liberalisation
of trade represented pores likely to sink the employment ship. Trade
liberalisation, observed NUMSA, as a cornerstone of macro-economic policy,
has tremendously contributed to continuing job losses.
"NUMSA will continue to campaign vigorously for alternative macro-economic
strategy and effective industrial strategy that will deliver on jobs.
Many industries have declined dramatically since the introduction of
trade liberalisation. EPZs, in particular the envisaged Coega Project,
pose a serious threat to labour standards and we doubt very much whether
sufficient sustainable jobs will be created. While new technological
advances promise potential benefits, there is an inherent tendency towards
increased job losses and redundancy," said the union.
NUMSA has also warned that business organisation's consistent effort
at insisting on deregulation of the labour market would undermine labour's
hard won rights. The union also took a swipe at labour brokers, saying
their existence undermined the provision of crucial benefits to workers.
The bargaining conference has also outlined ambitious targets for the
bargaining on wages and other conditions of work in the next season.
It stressed that workers were not going to accept anything less than
what they are worth. The purchasing power of the workers, it said, has
diminished to unacceptable levels as a result of an increase in the
commodity prices.
"Expected dramatic increases in the price of petrol will further
exacerbate the plight of the workers. The union further notes the existing
dispute on the distribution of pension/provident surplus. Workers' wages
have suffered as a result of inflationary pressures. Inflation targeting
has been a serious impediment to sustainable social wages. In this year's
round of wage negotiations, bargaining will be very tough because of
the rising economic standards and the grave threat posed to the unions
by the insistence of SEIFSA to move towards decentralised bargaining.
What is most worrying is the brutal attack on workers jobs as a result
of the appreciation of the rand," said the union.
CWU welcomes Telkom's decision
The decision by telecommunications Telkom to offer cheap computers
and laptops to its customers as a strategy to lure more clients to its
fold was welcomed this week by the Communications Workers Union. The
union said it was fully convinced the move will yield positive for the
enterprise and be able to create descent and sustainable jobs.
CWU also said it hoped that local suppliers of such equipments will
assist Telkom accordingly. However, it stressed that suppliers must
ensure that ownership reflects the demographics of the country and that
they are in line with the spirit of the draft ICT Black Economic Empowerment
Charter.
Strike at SCANIA-SA over union bashing
tactics
By Dumisa Ntuli
Close to 120 members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South
Africa (NUMSA) at Scania S.A - truck assembling company based in Aeroton,
Gauteng have embarked on a protected strike action. The strike was triggered
by the continous disciplining of three union shopstewards and the dismissal
of a key shopsteward. The shopstewards were disciplined for failing
to interprete the collective agreement in relation to a numberof trucks
to be assembled.
The other shopsteward was dismissed for encouraging workers to join
the union. Workers are demanding the dismissal of the manager (Mr Botha)
and the dropping of charges against the three shopstewards. They allege
that he targets union shopstewards for discipline and his presence is
inimical to the production process. He must be dismissed for operational
reasons. So far, the company has acknowledged the problem but failed
to take action.
Since the strike started , the company has failed dismally to resolve
the matter and listen to workers grievances. The union has filled another
notice to extend the primary strike in other Scania S.A plants at Elandsfontein
and Durban. The union is taking the matter seriously because any form
of union bashing strategy is against freedom of association and the
Labour Relations Act for workers to join the union of their choice.
Workers have a democratic right to form and join the union at every
opportunity. In this regard the company has acted in a traitorous manner
because shopstewards are the mouth piece of workers and the pillar of
the union. The attack on shopstewards is a direct attack on the union.
The situation at the company is very tense as many workers remain aggrieved
and wonder with disbelief whether action will be taken against the manager.
In fact, we will encourage workers to continue with the strike because
this is a clear typical issue of weakening the union. This is violation
of the rights to freedom of choice and against the constitutional culture.
NUMSA has always regarded union bashing bordering on autocratic and
draconian measures to supress workers wishes. It is unfortunate that
union bashing exercise has failed in industries where there are strong
unions. It has failed because it relinquishes and undermines workers
rights. In this case Scania S.A acted improperly. Certainly, the company
has prejudged the matter and failed to listen. The management of Scania
S.A failed to live up to commitments to run the company efficiently
and make a difference in policies.
Tasteless allegations continue against
ZCTU
By Mlamleli Sibanda
ZCTU Media Officer
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has of late come under
a barrage of attacks from statements in the public media attributed
to some 'disgruntled' affiliates who are calling for the resignation
of the current ZCTU leadership.
The statements which are well crafted and show that a big force is behind
them, have culminated into yet another article in the Herald 15 April
2005 again, with a plethora of allegations which now, because of their
inconsistencies, do nothing but exonerate the ZCTU leadership of any
wrong doing.
Initial allegations included meddling in partisan politics, mismanagement
and corruption and recently they have taken a new twist to include working
with employers to hide basic commodities, and even go on to forecast
on what the ZCTU is going to talk about during the May Day celebrations.
These allegations which in anyway, are frivolous and tactless, only
show that these few affiliate union leaders are being used as megaphones
by a system which is burnt on creating fissures in the ZCTU thereby
rendering it unable to represent workers as effectively as it has always
done.
It is now very clear who is pushing for the resignation of the ZCTU
leadership.
It is very naïve to believe that the ZCTU leadership is working
in cahoots with employers to create artificial shortages of basic commodities
when it is very clear that the country's economy is on a down ward trend.
It would be better if these employers were identified so that corrective
action could be taken by the relevant authorities.
The main strategy of creating chaos at ZCTU is to pave way for ushering
in a leadership that tows the government line, especially now that the
ILO conference is imminent. The Government is quite aware that it did
not implement some changes to the labour laws which it had undertaken
to do at the last ILO conference and it would be better taking along
to this year's conference a new labour leadership who will be unable
to put the government to task for reneging on its commitments.
Accusing the ZCTU leadership of shunning dialogue with government is
neither here nor there. Actually as late as Wednesday 13 April 2005,
the ZCTU leadership was engaged with government and employers representatives
in a planning meeting for a national symposium which is in the pipeline.
It should be clear that the ZCTU, in its efforts in engaging government,
would not compromise workers' welfare just for the reward of a patriotism
tag which is being clamoured for by a few affiliate leaders.
The ZCTU will always be a committed representative of the workers of
Zimbabwe and this stance cannot and shall never be compromised.
COSATU May Day celebrations
As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, the Congress of
South African Trade Unions is organising major rallies throughout the
country on May Day, Sunday 1 May 2005. All will begin at 11,00. In addition
to top speakers from COSATU, the SACP and the ANC, there will be performances
by the cream of the country's musical talent.
They include Thandiswa Mazwai and Malaika at the national rally
in Tembisa, and Mafikizolo in Durban, and many others in various provinces.
The details of venues and speakers are as follows:
GAUTENG - NATIONAL RALLY
Venue: Mehlareng Stadium - Tembisa
Speakers: Willie Madisha [COSATU President], Blade Nzimande [SACP
General Secretary], Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula [Home Affairs Minister].
Guests: President Thabo Mbeki, Minister of Labour Membathisi
Mdladlana, Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, Premier Sam Shilowa,
Ekurhuleni Mayor Duma Nkosi.
WESTERN CAPE
Venue: Athlone Stadium
Speakers: Joe Nkosi [COSATU Deputy President], Jeremy Cronin
[SACP Deputy General Secretary], Baleka Mbete [Speaker: National Assembly].
Venue: Vredenburg Sports Field
Speakers: Slumko Nondwangu [NUMSA General Secretary], Joyce Mabudafhasi
[Environment Deputy Minister]
Venue: Conville Stadium, George
Speakers: Patrick Johnson [FAWU President], Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
[Health Minister]
Venue: Atlantis Sports Field
Speakers: Randall Howard [SATAWU General Secretary], Khaya Magaxa
[SACP], Lindiwe Sisulu [Housing Minister].
EASTERN CAPE
Venue: Wolfson Stadium [Port Elizabeth]
Speakers: Gwede Mantashe [NUM General Secretary], Phumulo Masaull
[SACP], Buyelwa Sonjica [Water and Forestry Minister].
Guests: Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Mayor of Nelson
Mandela Metro, Nceba Faku
Venue: Sisa Dukashe Stadium
Speakers: Thulas Nxesi [SADTU General Secretary], Lindelwa Dunjwa,
Ivy Matsepe-Casaburru [Communications Minister].
Venue: Unitra Sports Grounds - Umtata
Speakers: Noluthando Sibiya [NEHAWU President], Mandla Makhuphula
[SACP], Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi [Public Administration Minister]
Venue: Madeira Sports Field [Queenstown]
Speakers: Mthimkhulu Mashiya [SASAWU General Secretary], Ncumisa
Khondlo [SACP], Nosima Balindlela [Eastern Cape Premier]
MPUMALANGA
Venue: Atlantic Stadium
Speakers: Senzeni Zokwana [NUM President], Willima Lubisi [SACP],
Thoko Didiza [Agriculture/Land Minister].
FREE STATE
Venue: Virginia New Stadium - Virginia
Speakers: Zwelinzima Vavi [COSATU General Secretary], Phel Parkies
[SACP], Brigitte Mabandla [Justice Minister]
Venue: Community Hall - Smithfield
Speakers: Bones Skhulu [SACCAWU General Secretary], Stella Sigcau
[Public Works Minister].
Venue: Botshabelo Arena
Speakers: Katishi Masemola [FAWU General Secretary], Charles
Setsubi, Ouma Tsopo
Botshabelo
Venue: Bethlehem Stadium - Bethlehem
Speakers: Petrus Mashishi [SAMWU President], Buti Manamela [SACP],
Susan Shabangu [Safety and Security Deputy Minister]
Venue: Community Hall
Speakers: Thembeka Gwagwa [DENOSA General Secretary], Mzwandile
Hleko, Beatrice Marshoff [Free State Premier].
Venue: Town Hall - Colesburg
Speakers: Welile Nolingo [CEPPWAWU General Secretary], Ntombazana
Botha [Arts and Culture Deputy Minister
NORTHERN CAPE
Venue: Open arena at City Hall - Kimberly
Speakers: Mthuthuzeli Tom [NUMSA President], Chris Matlako [SACP],
Jessie Duarte [ANC]
Venue: Community Hall - Kuruman
Speakers: Roger Ronnie [SAMWU General Secretary], Naledi Pandor
[Education Minister].
Venue: Community Hall - Upington
Speakers: Joe Chauke [CWU President], Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
[Minerals and Energy Minister].
Venue: Community Hall
Speakers: Xolile Nxu [SAMWU Deputy President], Dipuo Peters [Northern
Cape Premier].
LIMPOPO
Venue: Phahameng Stadium - Nylstroom [Modimolle]
Speakers: Alina Ransolase [COSATU Treasurer], George Mashamba
[SACP], Maviva Myakayaka-Manzini [ANC].
KWAZULU/NATAL
Venue: Curries Fountain - Durban
Speakers: Bheki Ntshalintshali [COSATU Deputy General Secretary],
Yunus Carrim [SACP], Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele [ANC].
NORTH WEST
Venue: Ikageng Stadium - Potcheffstroom
Speakers: Violet Seboni [COSATU Deputy President], Frances Ratlaga
[SACP], Thandi Modise [ANC]
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