This week...
In other news...
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1.COSATU & Leila Kheled meet
COSATU President, Willy Madisha, was given a scarf and an embroidered
picture of Jerusalem as a sign of appreciation from legendary Palestinian
freedom fighter at a press conference on Wednesday.
The kind gesture from Leila came after COSATU labeled Israel as an ‘Apartheid
State’ and committed to international solidarity with an aim
to end the genocide taking place in the Palestine.
“What is happening in the Palestine and the Middle East as a
whole are very serious and challenging issues that call for real concern.
South Africa succeeded in their previous regime due to international
solidarity and Palestine needs the same attention in order to pull
through,” said Madishe.
Madishe reinforced COSATU’s standpoint when it comes to the
Palestine issue: 1) Israel and its allies must release Palestinians
and let them go home 2) the ‘Apartheid Wall’ needs to demolished
as it is infringing on freedom of movement and diving the Palestinian
nation and 3) the South African government must withdraw their ambassador
from Israel, and the Israeli ambassador in SA should be sent back to
the ‘Apartheid state’.
“In South Africa the unions will embark upon a programme of
action which is likely to include marches to the Israeli embassy and
human chains around,” he said.
Leila welcomed the opportunity to meet the organisation which she
described as “our voice in South Africa” and said: “The
South African struggle inspired us”.
She thanked COSATU for the statement that it issued on 10 July, jointly
with the SA Council of Churches and the Palestine Solidarity Committee.
She said that Palestinians were well aware of COSATU’s support
and it was much appreciated.
Leila said that the struggle of the South African people gave her
people the inspiration and patience to bear the suffering and terrorism.
“The main issue is how to stop the genocide. We are expecting
help from the World and the experience of COSATU on how to punish the
Apartheid regime in Israel,” said Leila.
Leila suggested that the Palestinian struggle be globalised with every
sector doing theibit for maximum results.
“We depend on the attitude of free people, not defeated ones”,
she said.
2. ANC & COSATU Bilateral
The African National Congress and the Congress of South African
Trade Unions held a bilateral meeting on. There was a comradely and
frank discussion of issues of mutual concern.
The meeting agreed that there should be more labour representatives
on the board of JIPSA, that land distribution needs to be speeded
up, and that there should be better coordination of the intervention
in the WTO negotiations.
Other issues which were discussed were referred for urgent consideration
by the secretariats of the two organisations. They will bring them
back for further discussion at a bilateral meeting in August at which
the two organisations will try to reach agreement, and they will
be debated at a political school.
These issues include the progress of the National Democratic Revolution
and the motive forces behind it, the nature of a developmental state,
the economy, the role of the ANC and its relations with the state
and its alliance partners, the nature, content and quality of engagements
within the alliance and the next stage of the Jobs and Poverty Campaign.
3. NUMSA plan marches over
tariffs reductions
NUMSA is to stage general strikes countrywide in
August with an aim to prevent the removal of industrial tariffs
which are expected to open up markets and destroy more jobs and
industries.
On the second week of August, NUMSA’s 220 000 members along
with the most vulnerable manufacturing industries plan to lead
work disruptions in major business organizations and mass protest
marches on the US and European Embassies and consulates,
NUMSA’s planned action aims to put public pressure on transmultinational
companies and foreign governments and influence major disagreements
in the deadlocked non-agricultural, market access product (NAMA)
negotiations.
The President of Numsa, Mtutuzeli Tom, said that the union’s
campaign has already begun to pay dividends as German’s largest
union federation IG Metall successfully influenced its federal
government to consider ways to stop conclusion of Doha round of
World Trade Organizations (WTO) negotiations at the expense of
developing countries.
For the first time in history, the International Confederation
of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) has also entered the fray by lending
support to Numsa’s cause by arguing that all of NAMA scenarios
and the reduction of tariffs will have negative impact on 13 developing
countries.
These include among others Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Costa
Rica, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, South
Africa, Tunisia and Uruguay. The ICFTU said that it is better for
the NAMA negotiations not to reach bad agreements, which did not
contribute to job creation and poverty reduction in the developing
countries.
Numsa’s central committee has expressed fear that the reduction
of state subsidies by developed countries and trade tariffs would
wipe out the largest industrial base in the country. This will
in turn, lead to developed countries re-colonizing the continent,
economically.
Deputy president of Numsa, Ben Khoza , said: “ The blunt
reality is that we are facing serious challenges in South Africa’s
largest manufacturing sectors and the adverse effect of tariff
reductions and state subsidies is that industries will cease to
exist and further massive job losses in the largest metal and engineering
industries will follow”.
“Unless we stand up and defend our jobs and create conditions
for civil society organizations, labour and governments in the
country and outside to support us, we’ll all get exterminated
and doomed.”
Numsa further demand that EU and USA negotiators should make
genuine concessions in the agricultural products talks.
Cosatu and Numsa have filed section 77 notices to Nedlac, in which
they also demanded that employers in multinational companies agree
on a 40 co-efficiency tariff structure, with 15% exemption on imports
as adopted by the eleven countries participating in NAMA negotiations.
The planned general strike (on the date to be set by Numsa and
Cosatu affiliates) will be preceded by lunch- hour demonstrations
and pickets on US and EU embassies throughout the country.
Numsa’s protest campaign will target multi-national companies
that stand to benefit from tariff reductions and those refusing
to give meaningful support for the campaign.
According to NUMSA, higher tariffs structure helped developing
countries to determine industrial policies which were urgently
needed to create quality jobs and promote development. These also
helped developing countries to pursue industrial policies which
were aimed at protecting infant and emerging industries that have
the potential to create more new jobs.
Meanwhile, NUMSA approached participating countries from the
North and South, making an earnest appeal for them to join forces
with governments from the South to ensure that the next round of
WTO negotiations established a fair trading system that embraced
the needs of developing countries.
4. SATAWU unhappy about
guards treatment
SATAWU has accused Fidelity Springbok Security
Services (FSSS) of discriminating against its members.
According to SATAWU spokesman Ronnie Mamba, the company which
recently bought CHUBB Security is using this to retrench, frustrate
and victimize SATAWU members by saying that the retrenchments form
part of their restructuring process.
“Ever since CHUBB became part of FSSS, relations between
the company and SATAWU members have been compromised. In the past
few weeks, Fidelity has suspendede fulltime SATAWU shop stewards
in Kwazulu-Natal and replaced them with those from a rival union
that did not take part in the three month action,” said Mamba.
“They have not even charged them with misconduct, saying
that they are still undecided.”
Mamba pointed out that Kwazulu Natal was not the only affected
area. In the Western Cape, FSSS closed the offices of the full
time shop steward in Cape Town and told him to report on site as
a guard.
In Pretoria, FSSS have moved the shop steward around finally asking
him to go and work at the Fidelity Head Offices in Bryanston where
there are no SATAWU members which a shop steward is supposed to
service.
“Fidelity has also reduced salaries saying that they wanted
to bring them to the minimum set by the sectoral determination,” said
Mamba.
“SATAWU views these developments as an infringement on the
rights of these workers and would like to state it that up front
that it will resist these moves and will take it seriously to the
highest mediation authorities to prevent them.”
However Fidelity's chief executive officer Wahl Bartmann disputed
the claims to the media, saying the company was only following
the right procedure.
"There is no discrimination within the company. We treat
everyone fairly and we believe that people have a right to take
part in a strike," he said.
"But those going on strike should take company acts into
consideration. We are only following procedure, nothing else."
Mamba said that the union has already referred the matter to the
CCMA
5. Fuel levy taxes the
poor
COSATU supports the government’s commitment
to improve transport infrastructure in the Western Cape.
However, the union is really opposed to the fuel levy as
a means to raise funds for any area of expenditure.
The union believes that the levy in effect becomes an
additional tax which will be a permanent feature on the
fuel price, unlike the fluctuations on the fuel price caused
by global oil price fluctuations.
The experience is that as soon as there is a permanent
increase in the fuel price it is followed by other increases
such as the cost of taxi and bus fares.
The cost of basic food, which is also very transport sensitive
will also increase and that would significantly impoverish
the poor.
The other are that calls for concern for COSATU, is that
at national government level the tax rate is being reduced
yet it would appear as if it is now shifted to provinces
for infrastructure funding.
This is dangerous trend as it has within it the possibilities
of perpetuating historical apartheid differences between
provinces.
There is also an allocated tax on the national fuel price
for the repair of roads and the unions asks “why
must users pay for this twice”.
This fuel levy was suggested two years ago at which they
may have been a case for finding dedicated funds for the
transport infrastructure. The reality now is that National
Government has put aside R387 billion over the next five
years to fund this type of infrastructure, therefore removing
the need for this type of tax at a provincial level.
The fact that the Cape chamber supports this type of levy
shows how out of touch it is with the economy and the needs
of businesses.
COSATU believes that the department of transport should
be encouraged to desist from this ill conceived levy and
encouraged to focus on setting up the transport authority
and sorting out the deepening crisis in transport. A detailed
discussion among all role players is needed to plan a comprehensive
strategy for the province.
6. Ongoing shocking
fuel price hikes will have a devastating effect on consumers
The South African National Consumer Union (SANCU)
has submitted several requests to government to look at the
issue of the fuel levy in the Western Cape with immediate
urgency.
“We know the price of petrol includes many other hidden
costs i.e. tax, road funds – but we also know that
it goes directly to the fiscus.
“It is totally unacceptable to even think of a possible
extra 10c levy on fuel early next year for the Western Cape,
which will be put aside for the road fund. SANCU fully supports
COSATU’s cause to oppose these levies,” said
Ilna Wilken, Chairperson of the union.
The union said that another increase of 46c within a month
is ringing serious warning bells for the poorest of the poor – it
has a direct effect on the increase of basic necessities
such as food and health and the economy as a whole.
SANCU pointed out that the present price of petrol is R6.61
and the wholesale price of paraffin is 48c a liter.
“This is already having a devastating effect on the
poorest of the poor who spend a large portion of their income
on transportation and with further huge increases on the
horizon how on earth can these people survive. Taxis and
busses will increase their fares and with reports of increases
in food prices, consumers are going to find it more and more
difficult to feed their families and as a result will fall
further into debt,” said Wilken.
“The Government needs to come to the table and address
this issue with the utmost urgency and stop using consumers
as a buffer for everything.”
7.COSATU wishes Madiba
many more
The Congress of South African Trade Unions
sent heartfelt birthday greetings to Comrade Nelson Mandela
as he celebrated his 88th birthday on Tuesday. This was COSATU’s
message to him:
On behalf of South African workers we pay tribute once more
to our great national liberation fighter and political leader,
who did more than any other individual to transform our lives
and our country. We will never forget the unique role you
played and the immense sacrifices you made to free us from
the chains of apartheid, racism, colonialism and oppression.
Your vision and steadfastness inspired and galvanized the
mass movement through the darkest days and nights of oppression,
and gave us the confidence to fight back in wave after wave
of mass struggle.
Then you guided us to the democratic breakthrough and our
first free and universal elections, which ushered in twelve
years of peace and stability and the best constitution in
the world.
Under your presidency, millions of people received access
to water, electricity, education, health care and social
grants. Workers’ rights, which previously did not exist,
were entrenched in progressive labour laws.
COSATU differed over some of the economic policies of Madiba’s
government, but never doubted that he was a loyal friend
of the trade unions, the workers and the poor. He always
defended the Alliance between the ANC, COSATU and the SACP
and its key role in leading the national democratic revolution.
Even after he retired he continued to campaign on issues
such as the problems facing children and people living with
HIV/Aids and world poverty. He has spoken out for fair trade
and development, especially for the upliftment of Africa,
and against the US’s invasion of Iraq.
As COSATU said when they presented Madiba with the Elijah
Barayi award in 2000: “Comrade Madiba, in the words
of a popular liberation song which used to be sung by MK
troops in Angola, ‘We shall always love you, we shall
need you, for the things you've done for us’. Thank
you. You have taught us all this lesson, through your commitment,
your dedication, your selflessness, your loyalty and your
discipline - that to be a true leader is to be a servant
of your people. For this we salute you.”
On behalf of all South African working people and together
with others all over the globe, we wish you many more years
of peace, happiness and continued success in your ongoing
work. We celebrate your achievements as a giant of our continent
and as a leader of all those around the world who cherish
the ideals of freedom and justice.
8.NUM presents district
magistrate
NUM handed over a memorandum to the District
Magistrate of Oberholzer with regards to granting bail application
to the killers of Driefontein Mine leader.
The memorandum expressed feelings of dissatisfaction and
concerns on the judicial system as applied in the contentious
killings of union leaders.
Leaders that have been killed, and in return their killers
walking freely were named on the memorandum and they included:
Lesaoano Rapopo, Sivuno Gwada,Velele Rantsana and Selby Mavise.
The memorandum further appealed to the court of law to not
grant any bail to the criminals that killed Ellias Mulaudzi.
“These criminals must be kept in jail until they are
sentenced. We further demand that those that were released
on bail and still at large must be brought to the court of
law and where no arrests were made , those cases must be
reinvestigated,” said NUM.
9.NUMSA Vice President
passes away
It is heartbreaking to learn that Comrade Vincent Mabuyakhulu,
former 1st Vice- President of NUMSA and Member of National
Parliament, has passed away last week after a long illness.
Numsa would wish to relay messages of condolence to the
Mabuyakhulu family and would like them to know that we
as National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa share
the loss of our leader.
NUMSA in the Western Cape is convening a non
racial conference from 21 – 23 July 2006 in the Ritz
Hotel, Sea Point.
The Western Cape Premier, Ebrahim Rasool will be the keynote
speaker.
Background to the decision to convene a NUMSA Non Racial Conference
in the Western Cape in 2006:
This NUMSA Western Cape Non-racial Conference comes as a result
of a similar NUMSA organised Non- Racial workshop held in 1997
wherein it was extensively attempted to interrogate the problem
of racism in our NUMSA organised workplaces, working class
and previously disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape
post the 1994 democratic breakthrough.
In addition the NUMSA National Congress held in 2004 adopted
a resolution wherein the NUMSA Western Cape Region was tasked
to confront and engage with the struggle for a non racial society
within the context of the political and economic environment
as it obtains in the Western Cape.
Aims and Objectives of the NUMSA Non Racial Conference:
The NUMSA Western Cape region has always understood that the
vestiges of Apartheid and Colonialism of a Special Type would
haunt our society for a long time to come and in that regard
a collective effort is required to confront and defeat any
racial prejudices and stereotypes that continues to express
itself in the workplace, our people’s organisations and
society at large.
Realizing that workers come into the workplace from different
communities which remain racially segregated and acknowledging
that workers are drawn from working class communities in a
province where the historical importance of African and Coloured
solidarity has yet to be understood, concretized and celebrated
in the context of the Freedom Charter, the NUMSA Western Cape
Non Racial Conference is intended to facilitate a conversation
that will unpack the economic and political environment in
the Western Cape and to make sense of our struggle for a non
racial society in the workplaces and communities. In this context
it is important to unpack the political environment in the
Western Cape which no doubt has a bearing on divisions amongst
workers in the workplace who essentially is part of communities
that make up our society.
The current atmosphere in our province reflects a serious
meltdown of African and Coloured solidarity if we consider
the following disturbing developments;
1. The recent contestation over the distribution of resources
particularly as it relate to the provision of housing with
due regard to;
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concerns relating to the
housing lists and a perception that “people” from
outside of the province are overtaking “others” who
had been on the waiting lists for many
years;
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the temporary relocation of victims from
the Joe Slovo disaster;
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Resistance to the perceived entering of
Africans into the Bokmakierie School Hostel whereas “coloured
people are living in back yards”;
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The perceived targeting of black people
for the N2 Corridor housing development as prioritizing African
needs over that
of Coloureds;
2. The perception that the job market accommodates Coloureds
faster and better than Africans;
3. The tardiness of the ANC leadership in the province to
take a stance on the utterances of Blackman Ngoro who decided
to rubbish the coloured community as drunkards and useless
to society;
4. The perception that coloureds are sell outs when it comes
to elections and therefore a view that mobilization for government
elections must be resourced and focused on the trusted African
support base to the exclusion of coloured working class areas;
5. The perception of internal leadership battles in the ANC
which resulted in the removal of Ebrahim Rasool as Provincial
Chairperson who is perceived to be representing the non racial
grouping in the ANC and the installation of James Ngculu who
it is alleged represents the Africanist tendency in the ANC.
The NUMSA Non Racial Conference will take this opportunity
to grapple with a subject matter which has seen many differences
and tensions in the Western Cape Province.
COSATU Provincial Congresses
This weekend, 22-23 July 2006, will see three more Provincial
Congresses of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, as
the federation gears up for its National Congress in September.
The media are welcome to attend. The details are:
1 Eastern Cape
Mdantsane Indoor Sport Centre, East London, 9 am. Main speaker:
Zwelinzima Vavi, COSATU General Secretary
For more information please phone COSATU Provincial Secretary,
Xola Phakathi, on 043 743 1951 or 082 752 650
1.1 Gauteng
Springs Arena, 9 am, Main speaker: Bheki Ntshalintshali, COSATU
Deputy General Secretary
For more information please phone COSATU Provincial Secretary,
Siphiwe Mgcina, on 011 873 2610 or 082 465 8336
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