FEDUSA

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) hosted a panel discussion on the Department of Health’s proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme today. Health economist Professor Alex van den Heever of the University of the Witwatersrand led the discussion, followed by inputs from Affiliate unions.

This discussion was the first in a serious of initiatives FEDUSA will be undertaking to ensure that its members have a clear understanding of the proposals surrounding the implementation of the NHI as well as the policy challenges it brings and the affects this implementation may potentially pose to their disposable income,” explained FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

Van den Heever began his presentation questioning the vagueness of the Green Paper’s Problem Statement. He highlighted the lack of proposals concerning the much needed improvement of governance and accountability mechanisms as well as the ill chosen comparative case studies which South Africa’s NHI policy is said to be based on.

Continue reading FEDUSA HOLDS DEBATE ON NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) welcomes the announcement by Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining, that the company will create 500 new jobs at its new Tshipi Borwa mine in the Northern Cape.

The mine will be situated in the Joe Morolong Local Municipality, Northern Cape Province. “Job creation in this underprivileged community is fantastic news, every employed person is in turn able to support several other people. Not only will new jobs be created within the mining sector, but an additional 100 jobs in the construction sector as well as potential downstream jobs will be created as a result of the establishment of this new mine,” commented FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

FEDUSA is encouraged by Tshipi é Ntle’s strategy to ensure transformation, equity employment and the preferential use of local suppliers for the procurement of goods and services. “We would appeal to Tshipi é Ntle as well as other local businesses to focus on the training and development of our young people. Skills development in the forms of bursaries, internships and apprenticeships awarded to young people will go a long way in addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment problem,” said George.

Continue reading FEDUSA APPLAUDS TSHIPI MINE’S JOB CREATION EFFORTS

FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George & SACCI CEO Neren Rau

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) hosted a robust and informative debate on the possible implementation and consequences of nationalisation today. FEDUSA leadership came to the unequivocal conclusion that in order to look at the possibility of the implementation of nationalisation, the concept must be clearly defined and all possible consequences of this action must be explored and weighted.

“The overwhelming resolution from our members which stemmed from this debate is that nationalisation will not solve the increasingly serious problems of rising youth unemployment, poverty, inequality and the poor South African economic growth rate. Furthermore, stakeholders cannot lose sight of the fact that the policy research currently being conducted by the ANC is based around the concept of state intervention and not nationalisation,” stated FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

Continue reading FEDUSA BELIEVES NATIONALISATION DEBATE IS OVERSHADOWING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be hosting a debate on nationalisation today. “FEDUSA strongly believes that the implications, consequences and potential decisions surrounding both nationalisation and state intervention must be discussed in the public domain to ensure robust debate, education and inclusive participation,” said FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

A variety of speakers will be leading the debate on nationalisation including, Frans Cronje from the Institute for Race Relations, Neren Rau CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), Leon Louw from the Free Market Foundation (FMF), Roger Baxter Chief Economist at the Chamber of Mines as well as representatives from Organised Labour.

Continue reading FEDUSA TO HOLD DEBATE ON NATIONALISATION