FEDUSA

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) an affiliated trade union of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is hosting its MISA Women’s Forum Balloon Day tomorrow, 26 November 2011, at Arnold Chatz Cars in Craighall at 10h00.

In line with the goals of the global campaign for 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women and Children, MISA has pledged to release 6 000 balloons into the air. 1000 coloured balloons for each of the 6 petals of the MISA Women’s Forum flower will be released to raise awareness and support.

The MISA emblem is a multi-coloured flower representing the different areas of work that the Women’s Forum is involved in. The colour blue represents MISA’s pledge to care, white symbolises commitment to the end of violence against women and children, yellow represents equality, red symbolises the fight against HIV/AIDS, the colour pink symbolises cancer awareness and the orange petal reminds us of the need to protect animals.

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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) joins the global community in launching its 16 Days of Activism Campaign today, in order to create awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children and to act against abuse.

“As we commence the 16 Days of Activism of “No Violence against Women and Children Campaign” FEDUSA raises its grave concern with regard to the still alarmingly high incidences of violence against women and children in our country and especially with the increasing incidences of rape and murder of young children,” stated Deputy General Secretary, Gretchen Humphries.

FEDUSA launched its Care and Share programme earlier this month at the start of the 5^th National Congress on 08 November 2011. FEDUSA trade union affiliates are currently donating the toiletry items to rape survivors for the FEDSA handbag project. “The goal of the Care and Share programme is to provide support and encouragement to South African women who have survived abuse as well as inform and encourage women about their individual rights. FEDUSA  strongly believes that women’s rights need to be respected and enforced, with the ultimate goal to end all forms of violence against women and children in our country, continent and the world,” said Humphries.

FEDUSA will also be participating in the Tyger Bear Annual Survivor’s Day Celebration and the Pink & Blue Child Awareness Campaign.

In the event that you or a person that you know is being abused, please make use of the below numbers to end this cycle of abuse and get the necessary help with is required:

Women Abuse Helpline: 0800 150 150

Childline: 0800 055 555

SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111

HIV/AIDS Helpline: 0800 012 322

ITUC-Africa General Secretary Kwasi Adu-Amankwah

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) will be attending the International Trade Union Confederation-Africa (ITUC) Congress at the Birchwood Hotel and Conferencing Centre in Ekurhuleni from 25 – 27 November 2011.

ITUC-Africa President Mody Guiro will deliver the opening address, followed by messages of support from South African Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, ITUC General Secretary, Sharron Burrow and an organisational overview from ITUC-Africa General Secretary Kwasi Adu-Amankwah.

ITUC-Africa has 16 million declared members and 90 affiliated trade union centres in 47 African countries. The theme of this 2^nd ITUC-Africa Congress is Renewing The African Trade Union Movement Towards African Emancipation, FEDUSA believes this theme highlights the need for African countries to establish democratic leadership through free and fair elections and execute just rule that reflects the concerns and plight of each country’s people.

FEDUSA will be actively participating in the debate and adoption of the ITUC-Africa resolutions throughout the congress period. “We will be focusing particularly on the resolutions pertaining to job creation, decent work, food security and the promotion of peace,” stated FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply concerned with the ever-increasing cost of living. “Despite interest rates remaining the same, we have noted with concern the average customer price increase (CPI) by 0.5% from September to October 2011,” said FEDUSA General Secretary, Dennis George.

FEDUSA is concerned that necessity items that workers need to regularly purchase are continually increasing. The average price of vegetables increased by 7.5%, meat increased by 2.7% and most concerning is the 0.9% increase in transport costs.

Despite the decision of the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Gill Marcus, to keep the interest repurchase rate unchanged this month, administered prices such as the higher electricity, petrol and other municipal rates have also increased and will continue to decrease workers’ disposable income.

“Our Gauteng-based members are also very concerned about the implications and affects that the proposed open road toll system (ORTS) will have on their income and cost of living. FEDUSA has joined COSATU’s Section 77 Protect Action application against the ORTS and strongly believes the Government must commit to the major expansion of passenger rail commuting services in and around metropolitan areas. Expansion of this nature would increase employment creation, provide efficient and safe public transport and lessen the burden on cities’ roads and infrastructure,” commented George.

Continue reading FEDUSA CONCERNED WITH HIGH COST OF FOOD AND TRANSPORT