By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called on the African National Congress (ANC) to consult its alliance partners on the ongoing power-sharing talks in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
South Africans remained on tenterhooks on Monday as President Ramaphosa put what is believed to be the final touches to the executive, which will serve in the new government of national unity.
The process, which included the ANC nine GNU partners, had also raised tensions among members of the alliance.
“We have always maintained we are an alliance of three independent components — Cosatu, the SACP and ANC. We are within our rights or reserve our rights to take decisions the best way we see fit, even if it is to the disagreement of our alliance partner,”said first deputy president Mike Shingange.
“Given the pressure the ANC is going through, perhaps this became the safest way for them to go into their own internal national executive committee (NEC) and independently take decisions as they see fit. They have other political parties to contend with,” he said.
“We indicated our view, which is to form a minority government.
“A follow-up meeting was to take place; it did not take place until the NEC met and pronounced on a GNU,” said Shingange.
“We want to separate being briefed and being consulted, understanding that even when you are consulted it doesn’t mean your views must be taken into consideration — but at least we are asked for our view.”
Shingange reiterated that Cosatu remains opposed to working with the DA.
“We have to continue to indicate that which we are against, while accepting the DA will be in the GNU. After that, when the statement of intent was engaged with political parties, there was an alliance political council meeting which we attended. We were briefed,” he said.
Cosatu held a media briefing at its headquarters in Braamfontein, Johannesburg regarding the outcomes of its central executive committee meeting.
The three-day meeting discussed among others, potential protest action over retrenchments and the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Cosatu general secretary, Solly Phetoe said that while it is the president’s prerogative to appoint cabinet members, the federation remained concerned about who would be heading up the portfolios that affect workers.
These include the departments of Labour, Trade and Industry, Public Service and Administration, and Finance.
Phetoe said while Cosatu cannot dictate which cabinet positions should be allocated to the DA, it expected the ANC to uphold and defend the hard-won rights of workers.
We expect the ANC, as the leader of the GNU, to ensure that government is biased towards the working class, defends the hard-won rights of workers and accelerates the transformation agenda.
“Cosatu welcomes the GNU’s declaration of intent’s commitment to protect workers’ rights and to engage with labour, business and civil society on the GNU’s policy platform that was included in deference to the federation’s concerns.
“The federation will help facilitate dialogue with social partners at Nedlac to contribute meaningfully towards the GNU’s policy mandate,” said Phetoe.
He stated that Cosatu urged the seventh administration to act swiftly in stimulating the economy to generate employment and to cease layoffs.
“Cosatu expects the GNU to move with speed to stimulation of the economy as soon as Cabinet is in place by abandoning austerity measures that have been characterised by the stagnant state of the economy in recent years.
“We also call on business to assist the new government by creating decent jobs and halting retrenchments as the economy cannot afford to lose a single job.”
Phetoe also revealed that the central executive committee has resolved to stage a nationwide protest amid anticipated retrenchments across multiple sectors
“We have seen an increasing number of employers announcing plans to retrench workers, particularly in the mining, transport, retail and textile industries, “Phetoe said.
The protest will be protected in line with Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act.
“Cosatu expects affiliated trade unions to lead campaigns in defence of jobs given the Section 189 notices served across industries,” Phetoe continued.
He said the protest action will target employers within the private sector as well as the government.
This month, Mercedes Benz South Africa announced its plans to cut 700 jobs at its East London manufacturing plant, which Cosatu has rejected.
The automotive company attributed its decision to restructure to deteriorating macroeconomic conditions and prolonged port challenges.
Cosatu has committed to dialogue with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, alongside the Department of Employment and Labour, in efforts to halt retrenchments. Elsewhere in South Africa, there have been instances of retrenchments.