The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) held its 58^th National Executive Committee (NEC) today. A vast array of subject matter ranging from skills development, education, labour law amendments, labour law amendments, capacity building, and environmental sustainability was discussed.

The FEDUSA NEC agreed that a position be endorsed that an outright ban on prostitution should be adopted. “It has been proven world-wide that a loosening of sex trade regulation leads to all kinds of social problems. In addition, the risk factor directly associated with prostitution will ultimately increase South Africa’s infection rate of both HIV & Aids and other social and associated lifestyle diseases, already at dangerously high levels in the country,” explained FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

Prostitution, due to the abusive nature of the industry, renders women and children open to all forms of serious violent crimes and abuse directly linked drug abuse and drug trafficking, human trafficking, theft and child labour. FEDUSA supports the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Decent Work Agenda and believes that sex work is not “decent work.”

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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is very disappointed with the lack of cooperation being shown by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) with regards to the operational running and decision making within the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA).

“The SSETA Council received letters on 27 and 28 June 2011 indicating the department’s absolute refusal to engage with council members. This refusal is not only frustrating but against two recent court orders stipulating that management of the SSETA has been restored to SSETA Council,” explained FEDUSA Chief Negotiator in the NEDLAC Labour Market Chamber, Leon Grobler.

FEDUSA was successful in opposing the Minister of HET’s latest application for leave to appeal as well as simultaneously obtaining a ruling to execute Judge Basson’s judgment with immediate effect.

Continue reading FEDUSA DISAPPOINTED WITH LACK OF DHET COOPERATION

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes Anglo American’s (AGL) recent committed to creating and sustaining 25,000 jobs by 2015. “FEDUSA is particularly pleased with their strategy of generating jobs through the creation of approximately 1,500 new businesses. Anglo American is evidently taking job creation seriously, FEDUSA is urging more resource groups to follow suit,” said FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

“Despite our President, Jacob Zuma, declaring this year the year of job creation, FEDUSA has raised continual concern around the increased cost of living amidst consistently high levels of unemployment and inequality,” recalled George. FEDUSA participated

At a New Growth Path (NGP) meeting last weekend between the Social Partners, comprising of representatives from Government, Business, Organised Labour and Community, engagement took place on the very issues of skills development, job creation and support for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Continue reading FEDUSA PLEASED WITH ANGLO’S PROMISE OF NEW JOBS

The meeting between the Social Partners, comprising of representatives from Government, Business, Organised Labour and Community met today at NEDLAC to further engage on the strategies and implementation of South Africa’s economic policy strategy, the New Growth Path (NGP). The purpose of this social dialogue was to refine and sign off the proposed draft accords pertaining to skills, basic education, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and the green economy.

Ministers of the departments of Economic Development (DED) Higher Education and Training (DHET), Basic Education (DBE), Trade and Industry (DTI), as well as the deputy minister of Public Enterprises (DPE) were in attendance and spoke to their respective draft accords for discussion and adoption.

On the issue of improving skills development; the Social Partners committed to expand the level of training using existing facilities more effectively and in line with the goals of the NGP. Emphasis was placed on the need to attract students to FET Colleges with the guarantee of job placement after the completion of their training as well as the effective monitoring of training based subsides and encouraged.

Continue reading FEDUSA PLEASED WITH COMMITMENTS TO NEW GROWTH PATH