30 March 2023

 

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply disappointed at yet another repo rate hike by the Monetary Policy Committee of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) after it decided to raise increase the repurchase rate by 50 basis points to 7.75% per year, with effect from the 31 of March 2023.

 

FEDUSA expectation on the hike was 25 basis points and not 50 after the last hefty hike. The food price inflation is now expected to be 9.9% in 2023 (up from 7.3%) and 4.5% in 2024 (up from 4.4%). FEDUSA believes that hiking the interest rates is a burden on over-indebted South Africans.

 

The hikes are a big slap in the face of millions of workers, consumers and businesses trying to survive the high cost of living. The complete erosion of disposable income is totally disheartening and only adds insult to injury to both workers, businesses, and the poor, who continually battle daily to make ends meet.

 

FEDUSA would like to remind the Reserve Bank and the government that the increase of the interest rates does not mean that salaries or social grants of millions of South Africans will also increase. It should be a reminder that the unemployed are also affected by the hikes and they will be more vulnerable.

 

FEDUSA is also extremely concerned about the impact of the interest rate hikes on the sustainability of jobs, debt, and survival of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s). The hikes will only worsen the sad situation of many South Africans.

 

FEDUSA therefore calls for urgent intervention by the government into solving the country’s economic problems and provide South Africans with a sigh of relief.

 

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For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

20 March 2023

 

As the nation marks yet another Human Rights Day, the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) joins all South Africans in commemorating and honouring the country’s heroes who were killed and some wounded on 21 March 1960 in Sharpeville and Langa among other areas. While some time has passed since then, the wounds of apartheid remain raw, making it even more critical to take stock of the rights provisioned for in the constitution which is the bedrock of our democracy.

FEDUSA implores the nation on this Human Rights Day to reflect and work towards addressing the high levels of violent crime, poverty, unemployment, and high levels of inequality that still affect the majority of South Africans. Our high crime rate has been attributed to social stress from unconducive environments in early childhood, poverty, wealth disparity and problems with the delivery of public services.

As a country, we also need to fight the high levels of alcohol abuse and which plays a huge contributing factor in many violent crimes including murder, gender-based assaults and rape. In most cases, these incidents regularly occur in or directly outside bars, taverns, or nightclubs due to the abuse of alcohol. We will recall that on 26 June 2022, horrific scenes were published in the media which showed 21 young children who had died at Enyobeni tavern in East London. We must ask ourselves as a nation why children under the age of 18 were consuming alcohol in the tavern at that time of the night.

We are also concerned that despite South Africa’s Constitution being the first in the world to prohibit unfair discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, the LGBTQI+ community still find themselves in a crisis of having their human rights continuously violated. People living with disabilities, women, and children are also some of the vulnerable groups in South Africa that have to fight for their survival and basic human rights.

FEDUSA also encourages South Africans to reflect on the gender pay gap, which is a form of discrimination against women. South Africa still has a long way to go in correcting the injustice and violation of human rights of hardworking women who are robbed of what is due to them in favour of men as various reports have repeatedly proven. Equally, attention must be paid to the infringements of the rights of people living with disabilities who are still facing difficulties in accessing transport, building and work opportunities.

Therefore, FEDUSA calls on the government to enforce the constitution and to hold accountable the companies, organisations, and individuals responsible for violating the rights of others.

Human Rights Day is an important day that urges all South Africans to remember the sacrifices and struggles paid for the attainment of democracy and the protection of human rights in the country. As South Africans, we must address all challenges that still divide us in terms of race and social class by engaging honestly and openly with each other. These discussions can be initiated in our family structures, social circles, faith-based organizations and in our community forums.

As a nation, we must stop any individuals who are planning to destroy our centres of learning, state institutions, health, and social facilities during community protests. We must stand up together with determination and work towards creating a safe South Africa that is non-racist, non-sexist and that reflects the principles and values of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. Let us continue to fight against the exploitation of workers by advocating for greater transparency, and fair pay and for laws against exploitation to be enforced.

 

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For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

 

FEDUSA MEDIA STATEMENT ON NATIONAL SHUTDOWN

17 March 2023

 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) wants to place it on record that it has not been mandated by its members to take part in the protests planned for Monday, the 20th of March, across the country and will therefore not take part in the action.

While the federation is cognisant of the various challenges South Africans are faced with, including the continued rolling power cuts (load-shedding), we have sought to be part of the collective leadership of the country working towards solutions to these multiple crises.

FEDUSA respects the rights of those who will be taking part in the action and encourages peaceful demonstrations. We also want to remind those who will partake in the strikes, given that it is now covered under Section 77, to be cognisant of the fact that all rights must be exercised responsibly for the greater good of all.

We have noted the assurances by the government’s JCPS cluster that Monday will be a normal business day in the Republic. We trust that the measures put in place to safeguard lives and livelihoods will be sufficient should the protests take a turn for the worst.

Furthermore, the federation wishes those who have made plans to take leave from work on the 20th, taking advantage of the Human Rights Day holiday on the 21st, a good break. May we all use the holiday to reflect on the strides made in realising the many rights we enjoy, while reflecting on the realities of the vulnerable groups who are yet to live freely in South Africa despite their rights being enshrined in the Constitution.

 

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For media enquiries

Betty Moleya

063 736 5533

 

For interviews please contact:

 

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Mr Ashley Benjamin

FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary

083 258 4433

UPDATE ON PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE NEGOTIATIONS FROM FEDUSA-AFFILIATED TRADE UNIONS

14 March 2023

Trade Unions affiliated with the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) are happy to report back to members and the public that there have been significant strides made in the wage negotiations underway for the period 2023/2024. Earlier today (14/03/2023), the employer tabled a revised offer of an average 7% to organised labour which comprises the majority of unions in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), despite the absence of those who elected to boycott the process.

 

Fedusa unions were clear at the onset of these negotiations that its members would not tolerate nor accept a wage increase which will not help offset the impact of the spiralling cost of living. The fact that the employer is near the inflation benchmark in the proposal that has been tabled has given us renewed faith in the power of collective bargaining.

 

These negotiations have continued while public servants suffered the ire of their communities as other unions elected to take part in detrimental industrial action over historical issues. While Fedusa affiliates in the sector acknowledge that the issues that led to the strike are critical, it would have been ideal that labour collaborates in its efforts to secure workers reasonable wage increases in council, the only place we believe negotiations can successfully be held.

 

Organised labour negotiators have been hard at work, pressing ahead with the members’ mandate of a 10 percent wage increase, among other demands. While further details of where the government stands on housing and medical aid among others will be shared in due course, labour has also in the spirit of peaceful and fruitful negotiations, made a compromise.

 

As such, unions in the chamber moved from the initial 10 percent demand to 8 percent, bringing the parties closer to one another. Fedusa’s posture has always been that our approach to the negotiations is in good faith, understanding that it’s a give-and-take process.

Labour’s initial demands included a single-year term agreement and an increase of R2500 monthly housing allowance. As matters stand, the employer has proposed a three-year term with CPI plus 0,5% in year 2 and CPI only in year 3.

 

Labour has rejected the proposed term of the agreement, however, placed it on record that workers are amenable to a 2-year term with the second-year increase set at CPI plus 1,5%.

Organised labour in the council expects that a follow-up meeting will be held soon, with the expectation that the employer will revert to the response tabled by unions.

 

We foresee that the negotiations will conclude before the end of the month, bringing hard-working public service employees much relief, instead of the norm where talks drag on for months while they suffer the consequences of shrinking salaries. In fact, we may witness a record turn-around time in public sector wage negotiations.

 

Fedusa affiliates: NAPTOSA, PSA, HOSPERSA, SAOU along with Cosatu-affiliated SADTU attended the council meeting today, constituting the majority of parties in the PSCBC, at 53,9%.

 

We also note that the minority group that chose to boycott the wage negotiations since the onset of the process attempted to sneak back into the chamber today to present their demands. We deem this as the highest level of disrespect for the very workers they represent who remained on the streets and on picket lines on the premise that the solution to their frustrations would emanate from the strike. We are also aware that they have sought political interventions while promising workers that their toil, which pitted them against the very communities they serve would yield fruit.

 

While the PSCBC is a democratic space where all recognised parties can engage in peaceful negotiations, presenting fresh demands at this stage of negotiations, as we near the end of the sensitive talks could undo all the gains the majority unions have secured for workers thus far. This is the reason parties agree on a timeline that would be followed as negotiations take place. It is to avoid a situation where the efforts of the majority are thwarted by a minority that chose to protest instead of coming to the negotiation table.

 

Fedusa-affiliated public service unions want to assure its members in all departments and government agencies represented at the PSCBC that it is their interests that remain at the heart of all the steps negotiators have taken and will take. That it is their mandates that pave the way forward for how these negotiations will eventually conclude.

09 March 2023

The Leadership of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has noted with major concern and dismay the number of violent attacks that have happened since the start of industrial action on 06 March 2023, albeit being interdicted by Government.

#FEDUSA recognizes that the sanctity of collective bargaining must be safeguarded within the framework of Labour Relations Act, (LRAS), but under no circumstances must industrial action be accompanied by nor associated with intimidation, violence, and the risk to livelihoods, as has been seen in recent media reports.

Whilst #FEDUSA Public Sector Unions participated in peaceful protests and strike action during November and December 2022, updated mandates from members, directed the #FEDUSA Unions to refocus their attention on the current negotiations. Henceforth, none of the #FEDUSA public sector unions are participating in the current process which is being marred by unnecessary and unwanted attention that only serves to discredit the entire public service membership.

#FEDUSA has received numerous reports from members being intimidated, prevented from working, and even assaulted. These deliberate attacks of violence on fellow members and now the public at large, alongside attempts to destabilise service delivery aligned to essential services such as healthcare is strongly objected by #FEDUSA. It is a fact that once anyone is denied access to healthcare, property is destroyed, or patients or employees are physically harmed, they are partaking in criminal activities and not on strike.

#FEDUSA demands that the Minister of Police take full control and ensure that all healthcare facilities in South Africa are safeguarded so that desperate South Africans in need of emergency healthcare, can access the facilities without being subjected to any form of violence or risk losing their lives. Essential Services Personnel affiliated to public sector unions fully understand their role and responsibility in society, as documented in the Labour Relations Act (LRA), which prevents them from striking. Who will then take responsibility when loss of lives occurs due to irresponsible actions? Accountability and the full might of the law must prevail.

#FEDUSA affiliates respect the law and the concept of essential services and will not willingly deny anyone their right to healthcare services. Not in our Name!

#FEDUSA Public Sector Unions and other unions in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) that constitute the majority in the Chamber, are not participating in the strike and appeal for calm in the interest of the South African Public to safeguard lives and livelihood.

However, #FEDUSA also notes that the employer has failed its employees and ultimately the public, the vast majority of whom have no option but to utilize public health facilities that are no longer safe, clean, and often dysfunctional. This action is affecting the majority of South Africans who rely on public healthcare facilities, and #FEDUSA affiliates will not advance or support any actions that erode human rights.

 

#FEDUSACares #PublicSector #IndustrialAction

Please note: All interviews should be directed to the Deputy Secretary General Ashley Benjamin, 083 258 4433 or dgs@fedusa.org.za

 

For Media Enquiries

Betty Moleya

061 396 1841

communications@fedusa.org.za