It has a membership of fiftyone affiliated unions and represents. In south africa, trade unions for many years not only fought for workers rights within the workplace but also beyond the workplace. The first black trade union was established in 1917. Consolidating democracy in a liberalizing world trade unions and democratization in south africa by eddie webster and glenn adler. Nations economic commission for africa and african union commission, 20. In particular, it established the congress of noneuropean trade unions cnetu which claimed a membership of 158,000 workers in 119 affiliated trade unions by 1945. Gambia, the formation of trade unions of indige nous african workers only. The first unions were reserved for white south africans and defended employment policies based on racial discrimination.
Trywell kalusopa kwabena nyarko otoo hilma shindondolamote. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu, was the single most powerful organised formation in the antiapartheid struggle in south africa3. The federation south african federation of trade unions. As benjamin fogel points out, unions in south africa often uncritically reproduce the traditional image of the male, industrial south african proletariat. The role and challenges of trade unions in postapartheid. 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. Trade unions have created positive effect on members wages, even though it seems that this increase has resulted in part from changes in the composition of union membership. Through the turbulent years of 19481991 trade unions played an important part in developing political and economic resistance, and eventually were one of the. Trade unions in south africa roles and responsibilities. The designations employed and the presentation of material on any map in this work. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu are instructive in this regard. Trade unions and financial inclusion the case of south africa. Registered trade unions in south africa for 31 may 2017 information provided by the department of labour. Declaration of the south african federation of trade unions.
The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade unions. Find trade unions in africa and get directions and maps for local businesses in africa. Trade unions in the balance ilo actrav working paper. Trade unions in south africa by southhow february 22, 2016, 9. Its role was mostly political rather than fighting for the rights of the workers. Trade unions and democratization in south africa, 19851997. History of trade unions trade unions have been in existence in south africa since the1880s. It also maps intraafrican trade, at the continental level, in terms of the regional. The ituc global rights index depicts the worlds worst countries for. As a result, the labour market was characterized by a strong racial division of labour that would persist for decades to come.
The demand for trade unions in the 1930s and 1940s saha. A trade union is an organisation of workers that promotes and protects the interests of its members in issues such as wages and working. 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. Africasouth and intraafrican trade, taking advantage of economies of scale offered by the.
African regionalism, eac, economic partnership agreements. The supposed influence of unions on wages, productivity, unemployment and economic growth warrants investigation of and the quantification of the impact of unions, especially in the case of south africa in which trade unions and the rigidity implied by their actions create some contention in both the economic and political arena. There were also two cases of mass dismissals of striking municipal workers in metsimaholo and ekurhuleni, while seven union leaders were dismissed. Most of the trade unions in south africa are affiliated to one of the three main trade union centres. The african free trade zone aftz is a free trade zone announced at the eacsadccomesa summit on 22 october 2008 by the heads of southern african development community sadc, the. Lr2621840 registered on 04022011 abanqobi workers union awu the general secretary tel.
Putting union gender equality policy into practice in south africa. Trade unions in an emerging economy the case of south africa. Thanks to continuous struggle for rights of black workers which was also part of the anti apartheid movement, union registration and. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. 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. 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. List of trade unions in south africa and their major role.
Moreover, the general decline of european unions was temporally accompanied with sometimes more, sometimes less successful revitalization attempts from unions in the us and the global south voss and sherman. The role of transformational leadership the south african union movement has a strong stated commitment to transforming existing gender inequalities in trade unions, workplaces and the broader community, as evidenced by the policies. The federation south african federation of trade unions saftu. It was not until the 1920s that trade unions formed by black south africans were created. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. With over 100 registered trade unions, it is not surprising that over 3. South africa ituc survey of violations of trade union rights. 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. Enhanced intraafrican trade was prepared by junior davis team leader. In june 2015, at the african union summit in south africa, negotiations were.
This means that if you join a trade union at work, no matter if you are in catering, nursing, mining, teaching or any other work sector, it will most likely be affiliated to a specific trade union centre. Apr 28, 2017 by south african federation of trade unions apr 28, 2017 the following is the founding declaration of the new south african federation of trade unions, the culmination of efforts by revolutionary forces in the country to chart a new path forward independent of the tripartite alliance that has governed the country since the overthrow of apartheid. Trade unions started as friendly societies aimed at assisting their members with various matters, including offering financial help for education purposes and also in cases of illnesses. Trade union confederationafrica arab trade union confederation ituc. Its roots lay in the unions which had emerged from the spontaneous 1973 strike wave by black workers in durban and pinetown part of the durban moment. Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul members, liberia. 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. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in 1994 and keep on a very public role in the south african economy. Trade unions in many african countries played a muscular and seminal role in the late 1980s. Imports to the european union from africa, by value and utilization. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions. This article deliberates the current state of trade unionism in south africa. From the early 1970s to the late 1980s, the african labour movement had evolved as a stronghold for the expression of the aspirations of.
Register trade union to register a trade union, you must apply to the registrar of labour relations at the department of labour. All photographs were taken by imani countess, solidarity center in 20 unless otherwise noted. 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. Trade unions and the need for transformation terry bell. Congress of trade unions to publish this trade union guide for south african workers, written by mr. Southern africa actesa continues to ensure smooth flow of seeds from surplus to. 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. As it is, trade unions in south africa are the strongest and most stable compared to other african countries.
Regional organisations in africa mapping multiple memberships. Current labour market challenges facing trade unions 16 1. 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. In 1954 the south african congress of trade unions sactu merged with the council of noneuropean trade unions. Sabinet factors that have an impact on the future of. The close links between liberation and labour movements in parts of southern africa are still visible today particularly in those countries that attained their independence in recent years, like namibia and south africa. South africa could see 40 000 covid19 deaths by november laura lopez gonzalez 20 may 2020 south africa wont have enough hospital beds, intensive care or otherwise, to treat covid19 patients. The responses of trade unions to the effects of neoliberalism in south africa. In some other countries the unions intermittent strike movements and protests were critical in creating, over time, political space. Lastly, it gives an exposition of some of the challenges faced by trade unions in postapartheid south africa. The role of women in the south african trade union movement.
May 24, 2017 unions remain important economic and political actors on the european as well as on the national level hofmann 2016. Department of trade and industry on south africas trade. The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade. South africa is often cited as a perfect example for the importance of trade unions in political transformation processes. Registered trade unions in south africa sa labour guide. Saftu will have to move away from conventional and comfortable ways of recruiting, mobilizing, and.
Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul. Fosatu federation of south african trade unions gear growth, employment and redistribution programme giwusa general industries workers union of south africa gnu government of national unity ic industrial court ica industrial conciliation act icescr international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights. The arab trade union confederation atuc team has designed an interactive map. Trade unions are on the front lines in a struggle to claim. Ways in which south african trade unions have intervened in the labour market 22 chapter two. 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. 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. Enhancing opportunities for intraafrican trade through trade information networks. Putting union gender equality policy into practice in. Firstly, it considers the outcomes of research that was conducted in 2011. The arab federation of trade unions secretariat has established this site to.
Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions in. The january 2012 african union summit of heads of state and government focuses. Trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. Solidarity is one of the oldest independent trade unions in south africa. Its origins go back to 1902 and the mines on the witwatersrand. The challenges facing the south african labour movement. The best 10 trade unions 2020 africa african advice. 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. It is in the shadow of the above concerns that this report engages trade union strategy in south africa today. Putting union gender equality policy into practice in south. South africa the federation of south african trade unions fosatu was a trade union federation formed at a congress over the weekend of 1415 april 1979 in hammanskraal and officially launched five days later on 20 april. Federation of south african trade unions wikipedia. In south africa trade unions were stared towards the dusk of 19th century but the early trade unions were formed for racially white workers. He has made a deep study of the industrial laws of the country and the history of the trade union movement.
South africa excessive violence was again used against striking workers, leading to the death of a municipal worker in clashes with police in march, and injuries to four engineering workers when rubber bullets were fired against strikers in july. In south africa, efforts to organize casual and informal workers have failed. National union of metalworkers of south africa numsa was formed, through the merger of 5 different unions. Trade unions and democratization in south africa, 1985. Lr2625 registered on 15121950 amalgamated union of building trade workers of south africa the general secretary tel. Hepple has waged many a doughty battle on behalf of workers and voteless nonwhites. The communist party of south africa cpsa played an important role in building the trade union movement in the 1940s. The current union emerged from the mine workers union in 2002 490 during this time, several other unions, including the south african workers union, joined forces with the mine workers union. An empirical study was conducted with a purposive, voluntary nonprobability. Most notably, the member states of the southern african development community. National association of automobile manufacturers of south africa naamsa address.