This chapter focuses on the role of trade unions in south africas economy. Data for 25 advanced countries indicate that union density has fallen in 24 out of 25 countries over the last 20 years, and in 23 out of 24 countries in the last 30 years. 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. The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade unions. 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. Article pdf available january 2011 with 29,493 reads how we measure reads. 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. As it is, trade unions in south africa are the strongest and most stable compared to other african countries. The federation came into being after the south african congress of trade unions sactu and federation of free african trade unions ffatu disintegrated in the 1960s. Trade unions are recognized within the 1996 constitution of south africa, which provides for the right to join trade unions, and for unions to collectively bargain and strike. Moreover, there is the inherent weakness of the trade unions and in some cases employers organizations, which is worse oftentimes by unfavourable public policy.
It was not until the 1920s that trade unions formed by black. 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 core argument of this study is that trade union organisations participate in creating public. The gender at work action learning process with four south. Judelllesha joseph 209501569 the effectiveness of south. Labour unions and financial inclusion in south africa. Trade unions in south africa labour unions and the. This is a list of trade unions and union federations by country. Are these five responses complementary or contradictory. Trade unions in an emerging economy the case of south africa.
This year 2008 marks the 10th year since the inception of the trust. Fedusa and the national council of trade unions nactu in south africa as a response to the challenges of unemployment. Firstly, it considers the outcomes of research that was conducted in 2011. Trade unions and the need for transformation terry bell writes. The congress came into existenc 195e i inn, order to provide. In south africa, cosatu is in a strategic political alliance with the african national congress anc and the south african communist party sacp. However, trade unionism in south africa is fragmented. The role of employer organisations and trade unions in. After the discovery of diamonds and gold ushered in the mining revolution in south africa from the 1880s, and the angloboer war ended in the defeat of the boers in 1902, the british empire still transferred political authority to the white minority. This has translated into the labour relations act which established the working framework for. Colour prejudice engenders such suspicion, fear and hostility that african workers, who are trying to organise trade unions, are having an agonising struggle. In south africa trade unions were stared towards the dusk of 19th century but the early trade unions were formed for racially white workers. The report begins by explaining what trade unions are, why workers join trade unions and the benefits of trade unions to employers, employees and the society.
The demand for trade unions in the 1930s and 1940s saha. In literature, the power shift towards capital as a consequence of neoliberal restructuring since the 1980ies is mentioned as one of the most central reasons for shrinking union power. The communist party of south africa cpsa played an important role in building the trade union movement in the 1940s. Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul. South africa at that time, very few black workers were organised. August, 1996 this project was funded under purchase order no. There was a political party that said that it was socialist the labour party but it collaborated with the bosses and their political parties, and only allowed white members. In their own interests, white workers and employers should encourage african workers to become good trade unionists. 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. The consequences of trade union power erosion motivation union density is in retreat. Trade union advisory and coordinating council tuacc formed. As a federation, it brought together many of the unions formed after the wave of strikes at the beginning of 1973 which marked a renewal of trade union activity after a decadelong lull. To register a trade union, you must apply to the registrar of labour relations at the department of labour.
Federation of south african trade unions fosatu formed. May 24, 2017 while the specific reasons for this gradual decline of trade unions in europe may vary from country to country, labour scholars put forward some general explanations. The african trade union congress atuc was a national trade union centre in rhodesia later zimbabwe. Meeting the challenges facing the trade union movement. The role of women in the south african trade union movement. In the 1990s, while trade unions in europe and the unit ed states were in decline, in south africa they entered. The role and influence of trade unions in the oecd david g. As we will see below this financial assistanceas well as the moral and political supporthad a significant impact on the rapid growth of the trade union movement in south africa and thus served to build up one of the most important forces in the fight against 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. 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. Mawu was the first union formed in durban from the general factory workers benefit fund. Following a historical overview of the south african trade union movement before. Aug 24, 2016 list of registered trade unions in south africa june 2016 click here to download related content.
Apr 11, 2019 the politicking behind the scenes for the formation of the union of south africa allowed the foundations of apartheid to be laid. Costu was established in 1985 with 33 trade unions. Shamim meer, facilitator of gender at work knowledge management in 20052006 and facilitator of writing processes in 20102011, wrote the south african commercial catering and allied workers union. A stud oyf african trade unionism in the union of south africa is as difficult as it is urgent. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. It asks what role these trade union organisations played between 1999 and 2012 in the south african foreign policy process and what factors had a bearing on that role.
Labor market institutions in south africa may also provide unions with the means to influence nonunion wages. 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. To a greater or lesser degree there are surely choices to be made if unions are to discover a clear strategic direction. On may 31, 1910, the union of south africa was formed under british dominion. General federation of trade unions uk scottish trades union congress. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu was launched on 1 december 1985, at the height of the struggle against apartheid. Registered trade unions in south africa for 31 may 2017 information provided by the department of labour. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in 1994 and continue to play a very public role in the south african economy. Parties to the council employer organisations and trade unions are directly involved in concluding these agreements on behalf of their members through negotiation. Hepple has waged many a doughty battle on behalf of workers and voteless nonwhites. The transformation of south africas largest union, the national union of metalwork ers of south africa, numsa, was triggered by the decision to assert its. Trade unions in south africa roles and responsibilities. The wiehahn reforms deracialise south africas statutory system of collective bargaining and dispute resolution, and introduce an industrial court to adjudicate unfair labour practice claims. It has about 21 functioning affiliated unions and an estimated membership of 1.
South african workers are finding the workplace more uncertain with trade unions seemingly as less effective. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu south. Unions have the right to participate in forming and joining a federation of trade unions. Solidarity support to african trade unions, particularly of a. 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. The federation of south african trade unions south african. Congress of south african trade unions chemical, energy, paper, printing, wood and allied workers union communication workers union south africa. For example, in india, a number of unions belong to the all india trade union congress aituc. Saldru, level 3, school of economic building, middle campus, university of cape town, rondebosch, 7700. The first unions were reserved for white south africans and defended employment policies based on racial discrimination.
This report is based on trade unions and collective bargaining. 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. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu are instructive in this regard. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the. South africa, uganda ghana, south africa friedrichebertstiftung international trade union cooperation brie. Trywell kalusopa kwabena nyarko otoo hilma shindondolamote. List of registered trade unions in south africa june 2016. Thus, several employers whose origin was from south africa in these countries adopted the antilabour posture. The study begins with a historical overview of trade unionism in south africa. It was formed in 1986 as an amalgamation of the azanian confederation of trade unions and the council of unions of south africa. Cosatu congress of south african trade unions cotu congress of trade unions kenya. It then attempts to establish how trade unions have made use of the institution of collective bargaining, the importance of organisational rights to the trade union movement, the effectiveness of industrial.
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. Different views are held about the role of trade unions what sociologists term as frames of reference in which classification is made. Congress of south africa trade unions cosatu the congress of south african trade unions is a central trade union federation in south africa. Workers by the south african commercial, catering, and allied workers union. This paper provides a historical overview of the south african trade union movement, followed by a brief discussion of the labour market legislation and institutions formed since 1994. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu is a trade union federation in south africa. Lastly, it gives an exposition of some of the challenges faced by trade unions in postapartheid south africa. Over the years, trade unions have been involved in politics and other societal activities. Trade unions played a key role in establishing and defining a tradition of communal solidarity in poor and workingclass communities in the apartheid era theron 2010. 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. After its launch in 1985, cosatu became an important ally to the udf, linking unions from all over south africa through the core principle of fair working conditions in a democrati. Objective is to conclude agreements that take into account the needs of employers, trade unions and the industry purpose of negotiations.
Most of the african unions in south africa belong to it. The social responsibility of south african trade unions. Durban south africans are losing faith in trade unions, according to the human sciences research council hsrc, which has said in a new study that the growth of active distrust should be. Population growth rates vary widely across world regions and the expectation is that subsaharan africa and southern asia will be home to 38 per cent of the. 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, trade union. List of trade unions in south africa and their major role. It was exactly eight years after the signing of the treaty of vereeniging, which had brought the second angloboer war to an end. Working papers can be downloaded in pdf adobe acrobat format from. A number of them also belong to international trade union organisations such as the international confederation of free trade unions, which has more than 230 affiliated. Trade unions and the workers they represented were key players in the udf.
This article deliberates the current state of trade unionism in south africa. Although jcatu was small and vulnerable, it provided its unions with strong shopfloor structures and established a working model for trade union growth. Trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. With over 100 registered trade unions, it is not surprising that over 3. Trade unions in africa are weak organisations with many internal problems. The following is a list of major independent trade unions, which are solely accountable to their members and free from employer domination as. There were trade unions, but most of their members were white workers. Given the turbulent history of trade unions, specifically in south africa, it is of exceptional. We hope that the experience of south african trade unions and their role in promoting financial inclusion will inspire other unions to think through the diverse ways. 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. The role of national trade union organisations in south. It was founded in 1985 and is the largest of the countrys three main trade union federations, with 21 affiliated trade unions. Congress of trade unions to publish this trade union guide for south african workers, written by mr.
Trade union support to the struggle against apartheid. Trade unions and financial inclusion the case of south africa. Apr 25, 2017 south africa s newest trade union federation, saftu, comes at a time of declining political influence by unions, compared to during the struggle against apartheid. The history of the south african trade union movement is one which testifies to a remarkably high rate of involvement and militancy by the black and white female workforce. Sabinet factors that have an impact on the future of trade. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions. To participate in the system, african trade unions have to register in terms of the. The role and challenges of trade unions in postapartheid. 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. Who, what and how trade unions in the twentyfirst century confront old dilemmas, but in new forms. 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. The atuc represented black african workers, and was opposed to the system of white minority rule in rhodesia.
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. I, marie uys, hereby declare that factors influencing the future of trade unions as organisations in south africa is my own work and that the observations, views and opinions expressed in this study are those of the author and the relevant literature references as shown in the references. Those in authority behave as though the extension of demo. 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. This allows for a proper assessment of the impact of trade unions. Trade unions and collective bargaining law teacher.
Wheraas white workingclass women of south africa, like european and counterparts elsewhere are oppressed as workers and as women, the black. South africa is often cited as a perfect example for the importance of trade unions in political transformation processes. National union of metalworkers of south africas numsas 20 decision to break away from the alliance with the ruling african national congress anc. Blanchflower dartmouth college, national bureau of economic research and centre for economic performance, lse revised. Back then it was illegal for black workers to belong to a registered trade union so workers joined benefit funds a cover for trade unions. Trade unions in an emerging economy the case of south. 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.
A critical assessment of trade union strategy the case of the cwiu, 19871999. In south africa, trade unions for many years not only fought for workers rights within the workplace but also beyond the workplace. The aim of the federation of south african trade unions fosatu was to be a national umbrella organisation that could coordinate the movements of black trade unions. When political organizations were unbanned in the early 1990s, the anc, sacp, and cosatu agreed to work together as an alliance formally known as the tripartite alliance. This is the oldest and one of the largest trade union federations in the country. Even if we cannot yet speak of convergencethe nordic countries. Trade unions played an important role in south africa s transition from apartheid in 1994 and continue to play a very public role in the south african economy. There are numerous types of trade unions that are in south africa.
The report then explains what trade unions are and their relevance in the modern workplace. They are many trade unions or federations of trade unions. The growth of trade unionism in south africa is being re tarded by racialism. Those unions that refused joined up with the noneuropean trade union council and in 1954 they jointly launched the south african congress of trade unions sactu. 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 through negotiations with employers. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions in. Africa trade unions and africas future solidarity center.
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 report asks, looking at the trade union strategy in and of itself, what accounts. 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. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. The challenges facing the south african labour movement. Trade unions are found to have had an increasingly positive effect on members wages, although it appears that this increase has resulted in part from changes in the. Trade union, also called labor union, an association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining. A study may be conducted on the political involvement of each trade union or federation of trade unions in south.