See annual report of the certification officer 20112012 2012 appendix 1. Trade unions and the need for transformation terry bell writes. The following is a list of major independent trade unions, which are solely accountable to their members and free from employer domination as it stood on 31 march 2012. For example, when employees have a low latitude and freedom in. A south african trade policy and strategy framework, april 2010 v foreword by the honourable dr. A stud oyf african trade unionism in the union of south africa is as difficult as it is urgent. This chapter focuses on the role of trade unions in south africas economy. Trywell kalusopa kwabena nyarko otoo hilma shindondolamote. In their own interests, white workers and employers should encourage african workers to become good trade unionists.
There are 9 main functions of a trade union, which are as follow. A south african trade policy and strategy framework. History of trade unions trade unions have been in existence in south africa since the1880s. Southern africa from 1899 through decolonization 49 the south african war 49 the nature of colonial rule 51. Through the turbulent years of 19481991 trade unions played an important part in developing political and economic resistance, and eventually were one of the driving forces in realising the transition to an inclusive democratic government. In 1954 the south african congress of trade unions sactu merged with the council of noneuropean trade unions. Fedusa and the national council of trade unions nactu in south africa as a response to the challenges of unemployment. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions being predominantly for white workers. There are numerous types of trade unions that are in south africa.
Find trade unions in pretoria and get directions and maps for local businesses in africa. Strategic choice in s a changing world by kwasi aduamankwah general secretary, african regional organization of the international trade union confederation ituc africa foreword t he solidarity center report titled african trade unions and africa s future. Through the turbulent years of 19481991 trade unions played an important part in developing political and economic resistance, and eventually were one of the. They are many trade unions or federations of trade unions. South africas remotenessit lies thousands of miles distant from major african cities such as lagos and cairo and more than 6,000 miles 10,000 km away from most of europe, north america, and eastern asia, where its major trading partners are locatedhelped reinforce the official system of apartheid for a large part of the 20th century. History of southern africa south african history online. The project, to strengthen public sector trade union response to hiv and aids engaged 34 psi affiliates in 11 countries in good practice sharing and implementation. Trade union members elect shop steward and committees to represent them. The federation south african federation of trade unions. Trade unions in africa are weak organisations with many internal problems. Today trade unions are still an important force in south africa, with 3. The challenges facing the south african labour movement mobilization of diverse constituencies in a changing context geoffrey wood pauline dibben there is a growing body of literature on the role and impact of unions in the developing world, and on their ability to mobilize members against a background of neoliberal reforms. Labour unions and financial inclusion in south africa. A trade union is a group of working people who have joined together to achieve better pay and working conditions and a safer working environment.
The right of everyone to equality of opportunity and treatment as regards his employment and. South african trade unionism is the best developed on the african continent. The objective of the study was to reflect on the viewpoints of south african trade union leaders on factors influencing the future of trade unions as organisations. The impacts of the european union south africa free trade agreement. In fact, cosatu congress of south african trade unions which was founded in 1985 today, with 1,7 million members not only the largest of the three federations in south africa, but undoubtedly also. Migration for structural transformation examines how wellmanaged migration can help to address africa s development challenges.
We need a trade union movement that stands unwavering in the face of current systematic assaults on. Most fundamentally, these can be described as the who, the what and the how of trade union representation. South africa, uganda ghana, south africa friedrichebertstiftung international trade union cooperation brie. Firstly, it considers the outcomes of research that was conducted in 2011. The first black trade union was established in 1917. South africas once militant trade unions are no longer what they used to be. For this reason lindiwe maqutu, lecturer in labour law and introductory constitutional law at the university of kwazulunatal, believes the plenary session on the future of trade unions during the 30th annual labour law conference next month, is absolutely necessary. The specific labour laws regarding trade unions are. In the discussion on trade union renewal, the power resources approach pra has emerged as. The report asks, looking at the trade union strategy in and of itself, what accounts for the decline in worker control, the loss of the battle to defend gains such as jobs and high.
Colour prejudice engenders such suspicion, fear and hostility that african workers, who are trying to organise trade unions, are having an agonising struggle. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions in. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu is the largest of the three major trade union centres, with a membership of 1. Apr 06, 2016 whither trade unions in south africa today.
National council of trade unions nactu is south africa s thirdlargest trade union federation, comprising about 19 affiliate unions with a combined membership of nearly 400 000. Although instrumental in the formation in 1999 of the oppositional movement for democratic change mdc, the zimbabwean congress of trade unions zctu is not part of it. Posted on april 6, 2016 in governance, hot news as the south african government continues with its ongoing retirement reform process, the countrys largest trade union federation, cosatu, remains extremely vocal in its disapproval of certain elements, vowing to implement strike action to protect. A study may be conducted on the political involvement of each trade union or federation of trade unions in south. The challenges facing the south african labour movement. The majority of workers of south africa hold the view. Minerals and the scramble for southern africa 39 the diamond industry 40 the discovery of gold 41 cecil rhodes 42 the annexation of southern africa 43 portugal in southern africa 45 germans in south west africa 47 chapter 3. In the beginning of july 2017, the national union of metalworkers of south africa numsa, supported by the south african federation of trade unions saftu, started negotiations to demand a 15 per cent wage increase for all workers in the engineering sector and to protest against the employers proposal to allow for a 50 per cent cut in a. National union of metalworkers of south africa numsa was formed, through the merger of 5 different unions. Pdf a dominant feature of the south african labour relations act lra. With over 100 registered trade unions, it is not surprising that over 3. A labour law perspective by makwena ernest manamela submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of doctor of laws at the university of south africa supervisor. The south african federation of trade unions has held the firstever meeting of its special central committee scc, the highest constitutional structure between national congresses.
First, the historical development of trade unions in south africa, and their strong political orientation during this development is documented. Lastly, it gives an exposition of some of the challenges faced by trade unions in postapartheid south africa. Nov 08, 2012 so the battle, from all sides, is about the type of union organisation that should exist and what role the unions should play. As of october 2015, there are 184 registered trade unions and 23 trade union federations in south africa, according to the department of labour. Chinese development projects and trade union involvement in africa. Apr 21, 2017 the best thing for south african workers is to know the one and the only federation which was launched in 1985 and fought for the forty hour a week,drafted a workers charter,recognition of unions,living wage,minimum wage,the main issue now is to defend our gains by participating in your unions. South africa s trade relations with the eu are governed by the trade, development and cooperation agreement concluded with the eu in 1999. The role and challenges of trade unions in postapartheid. This is a list of trade unions and union federations by country. Thereafter, a detailed evaluation of the impact of trade unions, legislation, and institutions on labour market outcomes in south africa is provided, and it is found that despite a long history. The state of collective bargaining in south africa an empirical and. It was influenced by the syndicalist politics of the industrial workers of the world adopting the iww preamble in 1925, as well as by.
This political crisis extends to the labor movement, as we have also seen in latin america and western europe. Recognising these contradictions, trade unions in africa expressed to the ilo. List of trade unions in south africa and their major role. The african people have been losers in their encounters with other civilizations over several centuries, with negative consequences for the material wellbeing of. Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul. South african labour unions as a test case for evaluating labour union facilitated financial inclusion. An organization of workers in the same skilled occupation or related skilled occupations who act together to secure for all members favorable wages, hours, and other working conditions. Trapped between an ongoing informalisation of the african economies on the one hand and the consequences of neoliberal globalisation on the other, they are quite often seen to be a relict of the past. Dreher and colleagues 2015 geocoded the data, assigning latitude and longitude coordinates, and.
Patrice lumumba, the late lawfully elected premier of the congolese people. Unions also campaign and lobby to persuade the public or government of their point of view. South africa ituc survey of violations of trade union rights. The south african congress of trade unions, representing 53,000 workers of all races in the union of south africa, wishes to convey its deep regret at the brutal murder of mr. In south africa the central pillar of collective bargaining has historically been provided by. The development of african trade unions in colonial. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. Collective bargaining with the management to settle terms and conditions of employment. It contributes to gross domestic product, employment, trade, poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Chapter vi of the lra contains provisions in respect of.
By societal power we mean the latitudes for action arising from viable. Trade unions in an emerging economy the case of south africa. Several objective and subjective reasons justify the choice of south africa as a case study reflecting the african experience with trade unionism and politics. A trade union s principal purpose is to regulate relations between employees and employers and negotiations with them are aimed at reaching a mutual beneficial agreement. Trade unions in south africa labour unions and the. South africa and south korea, trade unions played a key role in the process leading to democratisation wood, 2002. Solidariteit is a south african trade union that negotiates on behalf of its members and attempts to protect workers rights. In south africa trade unions were stared towards the dusk of 19th century but the early trade unions were formed for racially white workers. Find trade unions in africa and get directions and maps for local businesses in africa.
Registered trade unions in south africa for 31 may 2017 information provided by the department of labour. South africa is often cited as a perfect example for the importance of trade unions in political transformation processes. Those in authority behave as though the extension of demo. Public services international and unison, uk, held a threeyear joint project in south africa from 20082011. As it is, trade unions in south africa are the strongest and most stable compared to other african countries. Trade unions, immigration and immigrants in europe revisited. African regional organisation of the international trade. As a result, the labour market was characterized by a strong racial division of labour that would persist for decades to come. Van onselen notes that african trade unions emerged as a response to exploitative labour practices. Thanks to continuous struggle for rights of black workers which was also part of the anti apartheid movement, union registration and membership rights were established for blacks. Find out more information about trade unions in south africa at. Dreher and colleagues 2015 geocoded the data, assigning latitude and longitude co ordinates, and. The growth of trade unionism in south africa is being re tarded by racialism. Formation of cosatu congress of south african trade unions 21 feb 1985.
It was formed in 1986 as an amalgamation of the azanian confederation of trade unions and the council of unions of south africa. Pdf minority trade unions and the amendments tot eh lra. South africa european union trade, development and cooperation agreement the chair, mr rob davies, informed the joint committees that a few changes had been made to the comments on the south africa european union trade, development and cooperation agreement. This study investigates the estimated union wage premium the excess of unionised workers wages over than of their nonunion counterparts in south africa for the period 1995 to 2005. This helps to explain the responses the trade union movement employs. The south african commercial, catering and allied workers union. Its created in november 2007 following the merger of two former african trade union organisations, namely icftuafro and doawtu.
The impacts of the european union south africa free. Aug 24, 2016 list of registered trade unions in south africa june 2016 click here to download related content. Possible trade union responses to labour market challenges 20 1. South africa serves as a good environment to understand. Know more about objectives, functions and rights of labour union or workers union in south africa. It is in the shadow of the above concerns that this report engages trade union strategy in south africa today. The technical assistance programme involved preparing and keeping up to date a complete data set of. S 18 of the lra permits employers and majority trade unions to conclude. The industrial and commercial union icu was a trade union and mass based popular political movement in southern africa. Trade unions in many african countries played a muscular and seminal role in the late 1980s and early 1990s in mobilizing the mass protests and strikes that led to the overthrow of old authoritarian regimes and ushered in democratic transitions. Edward webster, university of the witwatersrand, south africa. Following a historical overview of the south african trade union movement before. The formation of the south african council of trade unions sactu 6 anartheid laws and the african woman 7 new 7. A trade union whose purpose is to raise wages above the competitive level may foster economic growth if it succeeds in shifting income away from the owners of capital to the workers and if the.
This allows for a proper assessment of the impact of trade unions. The best 10 trade unions 2020 africa african advice. Although the union is often involved in issues of political import, it does not align or formally affiliate itself with any political party. South africa s trade relations and development cooperation with the european union are currently governed by the trade, development and cooperation agreement tdca the trade, development and cooperation agreement has established a free trade area that covers 90% of bilateral trade between the eu and south africa. Article pdf available january 2011 with 29,853 reads how we measure reads. A south african perspective j kruger ci tshoose 1 introduction the main objective of this article is to analyse the impact of section 18 of the labour relations act 66 of 1995 hereinafter the lra on the constitutionally entrenched right of every person to freedom of association. Extended unity talks led to the formation of a super. South africa history, capital, flag, map, population. Trade unionism has become an essential part of orderly society and south africa is taking a grave risk in stubbornly resisting its spread to africans. The aim of this paper is to investigate if south africa. South african workers are finding the workplace more uncertain with trade unions seemingly as less effective.
In south africa, trade union representatives, more commonly known as shop stewards. Trade unions in south africa roles and responsibilities. The workers summit and its call for concrete steps to be taken towards the launch of a new, militant, independent trade union federation, laid the basis for a massive growth in popularity of the moves towards workers unity. A trade union is an organisation of workers that promotes and protects the interests of its members in issues such as wages and working conditions, especially. Thanks to continuous struggle for rights of black workers which was also part of the anti apartheid movement, union registration and membership rights were established for. An organization of workers in the same skilled occupation or related skilled occupations who act together to secure for all members favorable wages, hours, and other working conditions trade unions in the united states were first organized in the early nineteenth century. Sabinet factors that have an impact on the future of trade. Labour relations in the constitution, every worker has the right to join a trade union. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in. National council of trade unions nactu is south africas thirdlargest trade union federation, comprising about 19 affiliate unions with a combined membership of nearly 400 000. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by.
To fully comprehend the importance of trade unions and the role they have played in the transition of. Ways in which south african trade unions have intervened in the labour market 22 chapter two. This year 2008 marks the 10th year since the inception of the trust. List of registered trade unions in south africa june 2016. Cosatu is a shadow of its former self and cannot resist austerity or restore democracy and accountability.
Trade unions are an important force in south africa, with 3. Current labour market challenges facing trade unions 16 1. The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions. The african regional organisation of the international trade union confederation ituc africa is a panafrican trade union organization of 101 trade union centers affiliated in 51 african countries. The role of women in the south african trade union movement. South africa, while part of the african caribbean pacific group of countries, is not party to the same preferential trade arrangements granted to the african caribbean pacific countries under the cotonou agreement. South african federation of trade unions saftu launch. To fully comprehend the importance of trade unions and the role they have played in the transition of south africa, an overview will be given. Berghahn books to study trade unions attitudes and. Trade unions were introduced in order to protect the rights of employees in the workplace. South africa is one of the unionised countries in the world and the involvement of trade unions in resolving disputes including grievances and disciplinary matters is crucial. In a number of transitional economies, such as brazil, south africa and south korea, trade unions played a key role in the process leading to democratisation wood, 2002. Pdf legislation and employment relations in south africa.
Cosatu congress of south african trade unions cotu congress of trade unions kenya cpp convention peoples party csawuz civil servants and allied workers union of zambia. Amalgamated union of building trade workers of south africa the general secretary tel. Trade unions in the twentyfirst century confront old dilemmas, but in new forms. The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade unions. The congress of south african trade unions is a central trade union federation in south africa. It has about 21 functioning affiliated unions and an estimated membership of 1. As this study points out, it is nevertheless an irony that while industrial relations in south africa is undergoing extensive and generally positive reformation, particularly in so. Some of the oldest unions include the south african typographical union satu, registered on 15 october 1924. Trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. The trade union movement in africa faces enormous challenges arising from the critical situation that confronts africa and its people. Relationship of south african trade unions with international trade unions. However, trade unionism in south africa is fragmented. To register a trade union, you must apply to the registrar of labour relations at the department of labour. Along with business, the other barrow pushers range from the south african communist party sacp to various trade union and political leaders as well as groups professing different socialist orientations.
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