Stop organising in same pool, Vavi tells unions

Photo: @ZintleMahlati

Photo: @ZintleMahlati

Published Apr 30, 2016

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Johannesburg - Axed Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says unions need to stop organising in the same pool which continues to grow smaller because of retrenchments.

He told a workers' summit in Johannesburg on Saturday that too little women, youngsters, white-collar workers and people in the informal sector were unionised.

Statistics show that only 24 percent of the South African workforce is unionised.

Vavi also said the headlines should change from a focus on President Jacob Zuma and the controversial Gupta family to decent work for workers, free health care and economic growth.

The summit, attended by 28 unions, is discussing a number of worker-related issues including the formation of a new labour federation. Organisers said earlier this week that 50 unions representing more that a million members would attend.

Vavi, who was addressing delegates on the reasons for the summit, said Cosatu was a shameful shadow of its former self.

His comments were followed by applause and praises when he said workers would not be fooled by a speech to made by Zuma at Cosatu's Workers Day rally on Sunday.

“Tomorrow they will be talking complaining about the youth wage subsidy and e-tolls then they will say ‘here is our president (Zuma) the man who must liberate us’.

“The very same man who is responsible for all of this?” said Vavi prompting applause for delegates shouting “speak”.

He shouted “we will not be fooled”, followed by the same reply from the delegates.

Vavi reiterated the need for a movement for workers that looked after their interests, with no political influence and corruption.

“Today we have an opportunity to talk about the issues that created those divisions. We need to discuss how will going to build unity,” said Vavi.

Labour Bureau

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