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COSATU Discussion document : Commissions

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: Mar 2012
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/135190 , vital:37246
Description: COSATU, along with other alliance partners, was very instrumental in the creation of national gender machinery that was put in place by the democratic state after 1994. COSATU was part of a very important meeting held in 1995 to discuss national gender machinery which was held at the World Trade Centre. This meeting concluded on a Commission for Gender Equality, the Office of the Status of Women and the mainstreaming of gender in society. The South African women’s conference held in Amsterdam from 13-18 January 1990 and tagged, “Malibongwe Women’s Conference” was a pivotal point in South African women’s history. This conference was able to discuss the preferred role of women in South African politics and society. The conference analysed the challenges faced by women and proposed a number of resolutions to address with women’s emancipation as well as gender equality. These focused on working women; education, health, culture, family, women’s unity, natal violence and repression. “The subsequent programme of action gave the notion of a struggle for ‘non-sexism’ greater prominence, and recognised that national liberation did ‘not automatically guarantee the emancipation of women.’” This was a pioneered the discussions on the establishment of national gender machinery in line with global democratic practice and the mainstreaming of gender across society and its institutions in order to avoid the “ghettoisation” or marginalization of women and women’s issues in South African society. These discussions were initiated by the Women’s National Coalition (WNC). As the negotiations for South Africa’s transition to democracy started two to three years before democracy, women found themselves marginalized once again. They quickly formed the Women National Coalition which was able to push for women’s inclusion in the negotiations processes as well s to fight for women’sissues to find their way onto the negotiations’ agenda. The Women National Coalition was able to do this very effectively as it had established a “Negotiations Monitoring Team which provided reports and information to Women National Coalition member organisations”. Through this coalition, a “Women’s Charter for Effective Equality” was developed built on the back of the “Women’s Charter” that was developed in 1954 by the Federation of South African Women (FEDSAW). The coalition continued to exist and to provide leadership and to draw on the resolutions of the Amsterdam Women’s Conference. This ensured that an even broader consultation took place amongst women back home in South Africa to strengthen the Amsterdam resolutions and to put a plan in place for the implementation of new WNC resolutions, hence the constitution was able to include women’s concerns including the inclusion of a Commission for Gender Equality amongst the institutions referred to in Chapter 9 of the South African constitution. The Presidency was also given the mandate of being in charge of the gender programme and in this office the Office of the Status of Women was located.
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Date Issued: Mar 2012

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6th National Congress Resolutions

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 2003-2004
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175677 , vital:42605
Description: Accelerated transformation means eradicating poverty in one generation. The purpose of this document is to stimulate debate, discussion and critical comment on the development path in South Africa in order to achieve this goal. In so doing, we hope to impact on the thinking and actions of the democratic government. This input is intended for the 2003 / 2004 financial year. This enables the following: • Sustained dialogue with government: By producing this document a full year ahead of the 2003 / 2004 budget speech, we look forward to a constructive engagement with government • Encouraging engagement: This document opens up space for critical comment from all sections of society. This will enable us to refine proposals and to contest proposals with which we disagree. All are invited to critique, comment on and sharpen our proposals.
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Date Issued: 2003-2004

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Budgeting people's needs

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: Feb 2003
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/134973 , vital:37223
Description: We hear a lot about the budget as an important expression of government policy. But what is the budget, what does it tell us about government programmes, and how can we influence it? This booklet aims: To support broader understanding and debate on budgets and fiscal policy as the basis for improving the public’s ability to hold government accountable; To explain debates on and key concepts in fiscal policy, budget reform and government expenditure on major programmes; and In that context, to explain the proposals in the People’s Budget and how the People’s Budget Campaign works. The People’s Budget Campaign is supported by a coalition of COSATU, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO). The People’s Budget Campaign seeks to help people understand the budget better. Based on broad discussions and hearings, it works to develop proposals to improve government spending programmes.
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Date Issued: Feb 2003

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Recruiters Guidelines

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 2001
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109753 , vital:33186
Description: The purpose of this booklet is to touch in number of areas, which are important at this point for the recruitment campaign of the federation. It is not meant even by implication to provide details of how to handle the campaign what it does is to highlight issues and areas that we must think in the preparation for this campaign. More importantly is the fact that COSATU remains the biggest federation in South Africa and fastest growing international. Beside a loss of membership from + 2 million to + 1.8 million members. The decrease in membership is mostly because of retrenchments. The well known fact is that only about 40% of the workforce that is unionized. The aim of the recruitment drive is to access this 60% that is not unionized. The mistake must not be committed to think that the 40%, which is unionized, belong to COSATU. There are two other federations plus number of non-affiliated unions. Our commitment to One Country One Federation does not stop us to recruit from other unions as long as we remain under different bodies. This October campaign coincides with Red October campaign of the SACP and Health and Safety month of the federation this must be seen as strength than lack of co-ordination. One area that is link to recruitment is the servicing of membership. It is useless to recruit and fail to service membership because every campaign that we will take around recruitment we may find ourselves had to fight with disgruntled members and obviously it will be difficult to attract new members. This must say to us that members come first.
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Date Issued: 2001

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Recruiters Guidelines

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 2001
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137210 , vital:37498
Description: The purpose of this booklet is to touch in number of areas, which are important at this point for the recruitment campaign of the federation. It is not meant even by implication to provide details of how to handle the campaign what it does is to highlight issues and areas that we must think in the preparation for this campaign. More importantly is the fact that COSATU remains the biggest federation in South Africa and fastest growing international. Beside a loss of membership from + 2 million to + 1.8 million members. The decrease in membership is mostly because of retrenchments. The well known fact is that only about 40% of the workforce that is unionized. The aim of the recruitment drive is to access this 60% that is not unionized. The mistake must not be committed to think that the 40%, which is unionized, belong to COSATU. There are two other federations plus number of non-affiliated unions. Our commitment to One Country One Federation does not stop us to recruit from other unions as long as we remain under different bodies. This October campaign coincides with Red October campaign of the SACP and Health and Safety month of the federation this must be seen as strength than lack of co-ordination. One area that is link to recruitment is the servicing of membership. It is useless to recruit and fail to service membership because every campaign that we will take around recruitment we may find ourselves had to fight with disgruntled members and obviously it will be difficult to attract new members. This must say to us that members come first.
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Date Issued: 2001

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The weekly newsletter for COSATU - Affiliates and Regions

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 2001
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109802 , vital:33191
Description: The largest nursing organisation in the country, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), has taken a historic decision to join COSATU at its recent congress held last week in Pretoria. The 200 delegates at the congress voted in favour of the move. The congress was held between under theme: ’’Nursing facing challenges. Development and HIV/Aids." COSATU campaigns secretary, Mcedisi Nontseie, said the union’s affiliation is a step forward in the consolidation of public sector unions within the federation. "This also consolidates white collar workers within the federation and further demystifies the long held reactionary notion that COSATU only represents workers in the lower ranks,” said Nontseie. South African Football Players Organisation (SAPPU) and Performing Arts Workers Equity (PAWE) joined the federation last year. DONOSA’s affiliation is set to boost the federation’s membership from its present of 1.8 million.
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Date Issued: 2001

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Transforming ourselves to transform society, Report of the Organisational Review Commission to the Central Committee

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: Nov 2001
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/118674 , vital:34657
Description: This report focuses on COSATU’s organisation in the 21st century in terms of organising and service strategies; organisational structures; and leadership, management and staff development. In each section, the proposals point to key directions for organisational renewal. The report will be discussed at the Central Committee meeting on November 19 to 22, 2001. It should be subjected to detailed debate and mandating in the run up to the Central Committee. The Seventh National Congress established the need for this organisational review. It noted the “need for a thorough organisational review,” in order to avoid a piecemeal and ad hoc approach. It therefore resolved, “A commission be established: to review structures of the Federation at all levels, including the substructures of the CEC, to propose policy changes and where appropriate propose constitutional amendments. The commission must report to the Central Committee in 2001, which will refer any proposed constitutional amendments to the next Congress.” In February 2001, the CEC established the Organisational Review Commission. At the time, it noted worrying trends in some unions’ ability to maintain services to members, and therefore decided to extend the review to include all aspects of organisational development. In April, the CEC approved terms of reference. The members of the Commission are listed in Appendix 1. They include NOBs of COSATU and affiliates, regional office bearers, some COSATU heads of department, representatives of NALEDI and DITSELA, and an (expert on organisational review. In preparing this report, the Commission held several workshops, and the extended September CEC discussed the draft in depth. Still, the Commission’s work was constrained by the lack of time and resources. Members have many other responsibilities, including mobilising for the strike against privatisation in August. The Commission itself did not have a dedicated budget.
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Date Issued: Nov 2001

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Advancing Social Transformation in the Era of Globalisation

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: July 2000
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137600 , vital:37541
Description: The COSATU Central Executive Committee Lekgotla endorsed this document in May 2000. It aims to initiate a discussion in COSATU and the democratic movement as a whole on the state of the transformation and our progress in taking forward the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). This process should inform the development of resolutions for COSATU's Seventh National Congress. The years since the transition to democracy in 1994 have seen fundamental shifts in the political economy of South Africa. These shifts present new challenges for COSATU and the democratic movement as a whole. To address them requires reflection on the basic trends in society and our strategies for pursuing the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). This document first reviews progress and setbacks in achieving these goals since the transition to democracy in 1994. In that context, it explores current attempts to rewrite the aims of the NDR. Above all, some groups want to redefine the NDR merely to provide equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race. This tendency would stop the NDR before it achieves more fundamental reconstruction and development toward a non-racial, nonsexist society on the basis of democ- ratisation of the state and the economy. After considering these issues, the document explores changes in the balance of power, in terms of the political arena, the nature of capital, international developments, the state and the Alliance. Finally, it points to some implications for the development of transformatory programmes by COSATU and the Alliance.
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Date Issued: July 2000

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Namibian workers organise

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 2000
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139645 , vital:37762
Description: In 1987, long before Namibian independence was even on the agenda, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) decided to produce a joint book on the Namibian trade union movement. At that stage the Namibian trade unions had just begun to assert themselves. The idea of the book was to provide information useful for both Namibian and South African workers on the history of the working class struggle in Namibia. It was hoped that this would help to build a powerful working class solidarity between South African and Namibian workers. The International Labour Research and Information Group (ILRIG) - a research and educational service organisation specialising in working class struggles internationally — was commissioned by COSATU and NUNW to research, write and produce the book. Work on the book started in 1988. Between then and May 1989, two ILRIG workers visited Namibia a number of times - once with comrades from COSATU - and gathered a vast amount of information on the struggle in Namibia. Information came from workers, from trade unionists, from SWAPO, from documents and from observation. At all times in the process of writing the book, material was referred back to COSATU and NUNW for discussion and approval. The final chapter on solidarity was done at the end of August 1989, when a delegation of COSATU leaders visited Namibia to discuss setting up a permanent Working Committee with the NUNW. The book is coming at a time when Namibia is about to achieve her independence from South African colonial occupation under UN Resolution 435. The Namibian workers’ struggle for a living wage, for the right to strike, for decent houses, for jobs for all and against privatisation will not end with independence. The need for strengthening and extending trade union organisation in Namibia will not end with independence. The necessity for building solidarity between the Namibian and South African working class will not end with independence.
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Date Issued: 2000

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Employment Equity: An Introductory Workshop for Trade Unionists Organised by the COSATU Education Department

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 1999
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176014 , vital:42652
Description: This workshop is designed to give you a reliable introduction the Employment Equity Act. It is based on hard information and on ACTIVITIES or discussion exercises that will help you to understand how the Act works, who it covers, and what the implications are for trade unionists. Each of the Activities is complemented with information that will help you to understand the Act in more detail. Sections have been added to help you find further information, and to understand the terms that are used in the Act itself In a two day programme, you are not going to be an 'expert' on the Employment Equity Act, but we hope that you will feel more confident about using the Act, especially in ensuring that it is used to address a wide range of discriminatory practices at the workplace. As with most legislation, the more that you begin to use it, the more its strengths and weaknesses will emerge. It is very important that any weaknesses in the practical application of the Act are reported through your Union to the Federation. This will help the Federation to campaign for improvements in the legislation, and to close any loopholes that allow employers to avoid their responsibilities. All Labour Legislation, including the new Employment Equity Act should serve as a 'base-line' or minimum standard. Employer and Union observance of the minimum standards as laid down in law should be our starting point. Through collective bargaining and improved Union organisation, we aim to improve upon the standards set by the law, and increase the protection of our members. This is a real challenge. It is especially important for us all to recognise that as we enter into a period where employers are demanding more 'flexibility', the introduction of a new law to correct the legacy of imbalances left by apartheid at the workplace deserves our special attention. We hope this workshop is the first in a series of educational events that will cover this vital new area. The main aim of this workshop is to help you to understand the basic workings of the law, and how best it can be implemented. We also hope this programme encourages you to find out more about Employment Equity issues, and contribute positively to the struggle for the eradication of inequality. This pack is designed for a series of two-day introductory workshops that are being sponsored by COSATU in each region. A workshop of COSATU Educators held in September 1999 helped to assemble the material, and to test its appropriateness. As a result there are a considerable number of educators who can advise, and facilitate this workshop and who can be contacted via COSATU Education Department. We would also be very interested to hear how the pack has been used, and in particular how it can be improved to meet the needs of trade unionists who want to tackle discrimination using the tool of the Employment Equity Act, as well as other organisational means. If you use this pack, feedback would be most welcome.
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Date Issued: 1999

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Employment equity - An 1 Introductory Workshop for Trade Unionists Organised by the COSATU Education Department

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 1998
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171887 , vital:42135
Description: This workshop is designed to give you a reliable introduction the Employment Equity Act. It is based on hard information and on ACTIVITIES or discussion exercises that will help you to understand how the Act works, who it covers, and what the implications are for trade unionists. Each of the Activities is complemented with information that will help you to understand the Act in more detail. Sections have been added to help you find further information, and to understand the terms that are used in the Act itself. In a two day programme, you are not going to be an 'expert' on the Employment Equity Act, but we hope that you will feel more confident about using the Act, especially in ensuring that it is used to address a wide range of discriminatory practices at the workplace. As with most legislation, the more that you begin to use it, the more its strengths and weaknesses will emerge. It is very important that any weaknesses in the practical application of the Act are reported through your Union to the Federation. This will help the Federation to campaign for improvements in the legislation, and to close any loopholes that allow employers to avoid their responsibilities.
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Date Issued: 1998

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Employment Equity - An Introductory Workshop for Trade Unionists Organised by the COSATU Education Department

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 1998
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/137128 , vital:37490
Description: This workshop is designed to give you a reliable introduction the Employment Equity Act. It is based on hard information and on ACTIVITIES or discussion exercises that will help you to understand how the Act works, who it covers , and what the implications are for trade unionists. Each of the Activities is complemented with information that will help you to understand the Act in more detail. Sections have been added to help you find further information, and to understand the terms that are used in the Act itself. In a two day programme, you are not going to be an 'expert' on the Employment Equity Act, but we hope that you will feel more confident about using the Act, especially in ensuring that it is used to address a wide range of discriminatory practices at the workplace. As with most legislation, the more that you begin to use it, the more its strengths and weaknesses will emerge. It is very important that any weaknesses in the practical application of the Act are reported through your Union to the Federation. This will help the Federation to campaign for improvements in t he legislation, and to close any loopholes that allow employers to avoid their responsibilities.
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Date Issued: 1998

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A liberal journal for a conservative estimate

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: 1997
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139694 , vital:37769
Description: AIDS starts with a virus. Like all viruses, it’s a parasite fragile and impotent. It cannot reproduce except within human cells, It’s tiny. Over 500,000,000 HIV viruses could fit the dot on top of this i. In the wrong environment HIV dies. In the right environment, it dominates. AIDS is dominating South Africa with all ready 2.4 million people infected, with estimates of 20% of the working population being infected within four years. South Africa has willingly opened itself to domination. This time, not colonial political oppression or the cruelty of racial apartheid, but domination by a virus all of us saw coming. The Ministry of Health welcomed the virus by failing to impart a practical and realistic National AIDS strategy. Instead, entertaining us with a R14.3 million play called Sarafina 2 and a discredited new cure for AIDS Virodene.
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Date Issued: 1997

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COSATU 6th National Congress

- COSATU

Authors: COSATU
Date: Sep 1997
Subjects: COSATU
Language: English
Type: text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/109662 , vital:33165
Description: Cosatu's Sixth National Congress held over four days from 1 6-1 9 September was on the surface a fairly well run operation in which Cosatu, with the involvement of the SACP, effectively drew the battle-lines with respect to its ANC alliance partner on the question of its Growth, Employment and Redistribution macro-economic policy - GEAR. The Congress also laid the groundwork in preparation for the ANC's upcoming December National Conference where socialists are expected to make a determined push in getting elected onto the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC), as well as influence ANC strategy and tactics to counter the emergent Africanist grouping which threatens to dilute the ANC's working class bias. The Congress further saw Cosatu clearly attempt to reassert its socialist vision. Using its recently released September Commission Report as a basis for policy formulation, a decision was made that Cosatu should play an active part in the economy and the development of the country. This included Cosatu's involvement in areas such as industrial development strategy, changing investment patterns and new forms of management. The Congress, however, also witnessed the humiliating defeat of carefully crafted motions and much unfinished business concerning the finalisation of critical resolutions and debates raised from the floor. Cosatu's senior leaders including John Gomomo (President), Sam Shilowa (General Secretary) and Zwelinzima Vavi (Deputy General Secretary), were often caught wrong-footed by debates from the floor which countermanded positions thought out prior to the conference by the executive committee. The most embarrassing moment came for Cosatu's leadership when a recommendation to implement a gender quota was rejected by most affiliates, including women delegates themselves. Prior to the Congress, it had been recommended by the September Commission that the federation and its affiliates should adopt a quota system for women. A target had been set of 50 percent representation in all structures by the year 2 000. Mindful of the implications this held for the national affirmative action debate, Cosatu's leadership tried to side- track the issue for a later resolution but were rebuffed by the delegates. Similarly, the debate around globalisation took up a considerable amount of time, which led to Gomomo attempting to bring the debate to a speedy resolution. That in turn resulted in his censure from the floor. Earlier, Shilowa had embarrassed himself when he inadvertently seemed to state that he supported globalisation only to be reminded by the delegates that that was not Cosatu's position
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Date Issued: Sep 1997

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