ZUMA PRAISES COSATU, ANC FOR WORKERS' RIGHTS
Jacob Zuma says the ANC & Cosatu have worked hand in hand to improve and protect the rights of workers
Govan Whittles
South Africa Eye Witness News
JOHANNESBURG – President Jacob Zuma says the African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have worked hand in hand for 30 years to improve and protect the rights of workers.
Zuma earlier spoke at a May Day Cosatu rally in Curries Fountain Stadium in Durban.
He says it's thanks to the partnership between the federation and the ANC that the current labour legislation is intact.
“We come from a proud tradition of unity and struggle forged in the trenches of our struggle for liberation.”
He says the trade union federation has been the main driving force in fighting for the rights of workers and has brought workers the right to fair labour practices and strikes.
“There are laws which have been made to protect workers.”
‘MAY DAY NOT FOR COSATU ONLY’
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has told thousands of workers at its May Day rally in Johannesburg that today does not belong to Cosatu exclusively and a new home for workers must be built outside of the ANC.
Numsa has been joined by members from eight other Cosatu unions at its rally in the Johannesburg CBD which is being held separately from a Cosatu rally in Mohlakeng.
There are about 5,000 people at the Standard Bank arena, many of them wearing t-shirts with the slogan ‘Don’t mourn – organise’.
This is a reference to Cosatu's decision to expel Numsa and Zwelinzima Vavi who the eight tarde union federation’s affiliates continue to support.
Numsa's president Andrew Chirwa says the current Cosatu leaders insist on pledging their unconditional support to the ANC while the ruling party continues to fail them.
He says workers must fight harder than ever before for an independent federation.
Chirwa says workers need a movement that is not compromised by business relationships between bosses and union leaders.
(Edited by Refilwe Pitjeng)
Zuma urges unity in Cosatu
Saturday 2 May 2015 07:15
Tshepo Ikaneng
He was addressing the Cosatu's May Day rally in Durban.
Factional battles within the labour federation have led to the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the sacking of the Congress South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Earlier, Numsa led a march in the central city - a move widely seen as a ploy to test Cosatu's strength and popularity among the workers.
President Jacob Zuma has called for unity within Cosatu.
He was speaking at a Workers’ Day rally in Durban on Friday.
Zuma says the ANC government has also enacted legislation to further protect workers’ rights in the past years.
“We wish to remind the workers that the interest of workers are best served when organised under a strong and united Cosatu. If Cosatu is divided you are weakening the struggle of the working class. Let us know that our task is to lead the society,” adds the President.
He adds that Cosatu and the ANC remain united in efforts to bring a better life for all.
Govan Whittles
South Africa Eye Witness News
JOHANNESBURG – President Jacob Zuma says the African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have worked hand in hand for 30 years to improve and protect the rights of workers.
Zuma earlier spoke at a May Day Cosatu rally in Curries Fountain Stadium in Durban.
He says it's thanks to the partnership between the federation and the ANC that the current labour legislation is intact.
“We come from a proud tradition of unity and struggle forged in the trenches of our struggle for liberation.”
He says the trade union federation has been the main driving force in fighting for the rights of workers and has brought workers the right to fair labour practices and strikes.
“There are laws which have been made to protect workers.”
‘MAY DAY NOT FOR COSATU ONLY’
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has told thousands of workers at its May Day rally in Johannesburg that today does not belong to Cosatu exclusively and a new home for workers must be built outside of the ANC.
Numsa has been joined by members from eight other Cosatu unions at its rally in the Johannesburg CBD which is being held separately from a Cosatu rally in Mohlakeng.
There are about 5,000 people at the Standard Bank arena, many of them wearing t-shirts with the slogan ‘Don’t mourn – organise’.
This is a reference to Cosatu's decision to expel Numsa and Zwelinzima Vavi who the eight tarde union federation’s affiliates continue to support.
Numsa's president Andrew Chirwa says the current Cosatu leaders insist on pledging their unconditional support to the ANC while the ruling party continues to fail them.
He says workers must fight harder than ever before for an independent federation.
Chirwa says workers need a movement that is not compromised by business relationships between bosses and union leaders.
(Edited by Refilwe Pitjeng)
Zuma urges unity in Cosatu
Saturday 2 May 2015 07:15
Tshepo Ikaneng
He was addressing the Cosatu's May Day rally in Durban.
Factional battles within the labour federation have led to the expulsion of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the sacking of the Congress South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
Earlier, Numsa led a march in the central city - a move widely seen as a ploy to test Cosatu's strength and popularity among the workers.
President Jacob Zuma has called for unity within Cosatu.
He was speaking at a Workers’ Day rally in Durban on Friday.
Zuma says the ANC government has also enacted legislation to further protect workers’ rights in the past years.
“We wish to remind the workers that the interest of workers are best served when organised under a strong and united Cosatu. If Cosatu is divided you are weakening the struggle of the working class. Let us know that our task is to lead the society,” adds the President.
He adds that Cosatu and the ANC remain united in efforts to bring a better life for all.
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