International Day of Decent Work is a rallying point for the trade union movement - Cosatu

On Tuesday, workers will mark the International Day for Decent Work.  In South Africa, workers led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and its affiliates, will hold activities in all provinces, from marches in Cape Town to pickets in Mpumalanga, to raise the plight of millions and place a spotlight on the call for decent work.

The International Day of Decent Work is a rallying point for the trade union movement to push employers and governments to do more to improve the working and living conditions of the working class.

South African workers across economic sectors and workplaces have seen substantial improvements in their working and living conditions since the dark days of apartheid, and more especially since the democratic breakthrough of 1994 when workers’ rights were enshrined in the Constitution and our progressive labour laws.

These achievements were won under the most difficult of conditions and at great risk and cost to millions.  They were the result of workers embracing the call to unite and unionise and where employers and governments refuse to respond to their demands for better conditions, to withhold their labour.

They are the fruits of the liberation struggle led by Cosatu and our Alliance Partners and put into law since 1994 by government led by the African National Congress.

The call for Decent Work is not merely a symbolic slogan but a comprehensive package of interventions through legislation, collective bargaining, organising and campaigns to uplift the working and living conditions of millions.

In 2019 after decades of struggles, the National Minimum Wage Act came into effect, raising the wages of more than 6 million farm, domestic, construction, security, transport, hospitality, cleaning and retail workers.  Less than a decade ago, a farmworker in De Doorns’ hourly wage could buy half a loaf of bread, today it can nearly buy two loaves.

Whilst applauding this milestone, much more must be done to ensure all employers comply with this progressive law.

Equally it is critical that the economic conditions be put in place to ensure employers can and do move towards paying workers a living wage, essentially double the current minimum wage.  This will enable workers to escape the clutches of debt and lay the foundations for a better life for their children.

Recently the Companies Amendment Act was assented to by President Cyril Ramaphosa with its various provisions soon to be rolled out.  Key amongst these are clauses requiring state-owned and listed companies to disclose the wage gap between their highest and lowest paid employees as part of efforts to nudge employers to reduce the still prevalent apartheid wage inequalities.

Deliberately skewed labour market policies under centuries of colonial and apartheid rule, left millions mired in poverty and inequality.  These persist till today and in a globalised economy where the costs of living are always rising, millions are increasingly left behind and plunged deeper into debt.

It is partly for this reason that Cosatu pushed for the Two Pot Pension Reforms that came into effect in 2024 releasing over R60 billion into the pockets of more than 3.5 million workers and going forward provide workers with essentially an annual 14th cheque to help heal their financial wounds. 

Discussions are taking place on the next phase of the Two Pot Pension Reforms to provide further relief to financially distressed workers, ease the tax burden on low-income workers whilst simultaneously boosting long-term savings to ensure more can retire in comfort and security.

Cosatu’s affiliates have led the charge to improve workers’ benefits from providing pension funds to medical cover, to putting in place 13th cheques to bursaries for workers and their children.  These play an important role in boosting the incomes of many.  However, millions in precarious work don’t have such benefits.

Much has been achieved since 1994 under successive ANC led administrations to boost the social wage and invest in working-class communities. 

Today 27 million receive some sort of social grant from the state.  Mothers and children up to 6 years are provided free healthcare.  Children across townships and rural areas can access no fee schools with a meal.  Millions of students have been able to access colleges and universities through National Student Financial Aid Scheme.  Billions have been spent investing in critical economic infrastructure providing subsidised public transport, electricity and water. 

Tragically these will remain under threat unless corruption is defeated and the economy is unlocked.

Equally critical to realising the call of decent work, is to enforce the law.

Every year thousands of workers lose life and limb at the workplace.  These rob families of loved ones and bread winners.  Whilst there have been marked improvements in ensuring a safe working environment for workers, each week we lose on average one police officer, one miner and many more at other workplaces.

Many workers struggle to access relief from the Unemployment Insurance and Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Funds.  Yet these institutions are funded by employees and employers’ contributions to support workers on maternity or parental leave, when recovering from or can no longer work due to injury, have passed away, or to help distressed companies cover salaries.

There is a need to ensure employers comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, e.g. the right to paid leave, overtime pay and paid public holidays.

There are still employers who violate the Labour Relations Act and dismiss workers for exercising their rights to unionise or collective bargaining.

Parliament overhauled the Employment Equity and Sexual Offences Acts and related legislation to tackle the scourge of sexual harassment and violence at the workplace.  But this requires employers, management and even other workers’ embrace to make it a lived reality for millions of female workers.

The struggle for decent work depends upon inclusive economic growth, falling unemployment, and a capacitated state that can deliver quality public and municipal services.

This is a cause that Cosatu will continue to lead and one that all of society must contribute to if we are to achieve it.

Cosatu General Secretary Solly Phetoe

** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL.

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