By Johnathan Paoli
In a landmark show of solidarity, the country’s four major labour federations have announced that they will hold a national day of action against austerity measures implemented by the government when the Budget is delivered in February.
The federations participated in the National Economic Development and Labour Council’s (Nedlac) Organised Labour School this week.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions, the Federation of Unions of SA, the National Council of Trade Unions and the SA Federation of Trade Unions will later in the year down tools in national general strike against austerity.
“We leave the Labour School with renewed focus and a heightened commitment to uniting in action and further advancing the interests of the working class,” Vavi said in statement on Friday.
The gathering under the theme “Building unity of workers to defend labour rights and advance decent work for all”, brought together representatives of over 2.6 million workers.
The three-day event, attended by senior government officials and worker leaders, produced a comprehensive action plan aimed at combating austerity, safeguarding workers’ rights and addressing systemic economic challenges.
Against the backdrop of the country’s economic challenges, including a staggering unemployment rate of 41.9%, rising poverty and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the federations reaffirmed their collective resolve to address pressing issues impacting workers.
Vavi said austerity undermined public institutions like the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration and Labour Courts by reducing funding and capacity. It further threatened public sector jobs and the delivery of services to the poor, perpetuating inequality and economic stagnation.
The campaign will rally a broad coalition, including youth, women, rural communities and progressive civil society movements, under the banner “People Before Profits – Building a Front Against Austerity, the Water Crisis and Privatisation”.
He emphasised the importance of defending hard-won labour rights, including collective bargaining agreements and fair labour standards. The federations have committed to addressing inefficiencies in the CCMA, Labour Courts and social funds like the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
They also resolved to oppose any attempts to privatise state-owned enterprises and advocate for increased investment in public services and infrastructure.
Strengthening labour unity was a central theme, with the federations committing to improving coordination across Nedlac chambers, enhancing their capacity to represent workers and ensuring full compliance with proportional representation requirements.
Vavi highlighted the need to prepare for challenges posed by digitisation, automation and climate change, and said the federations were committed to advancing a Just Transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy that prioritised job creation and worker ownership.
The resolutions adopted at the Labour School include clear timelines and milestones.
Audited membership data to ensure proportional representation in Nedlac will be submitted by the end of March.
A mini labour summit to assess progress on resolutions will be held on 26 June, with a national general strike to consolidate demands for systemic change expected on 7 October
A task force comprising representatives from all federations will monitor progress, track campaigns and generate periodic reports.
With rising economic pressures and ongoing threats to labour rights, Vavi stressed the resolutions and campaigns underscored the vital role of organised labour in shaping South Africa’s socio-economic trajectory.
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