Lastly, it gives an exposition of some of the challenges faced by trade unions in postapartheid south africa. Since its formation in 1985, the congress of south african trade unions cosatu had played a significant role in the political landscape of south africa. Trade union, also called labour union, association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining historical development. The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade unions. Trade union principles and guidelines on development effectiveness. The activities of the labour unions no doubt made the colonial government to formally pass legislation in 1938. Trade union support to the struggle against apartheid. The core foundation of collective bargaining legislation in south africa was the industrial. Njeas health and safety manual emphasized action in the form of school or.
The close links between liberation and labour movements in parts of southern africa are still visible today particularly in those countries that attained their independence in recent years, like namibia and south africa. Trade unions are an important force in south africa, with 3. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in 1994 and continue to play a very public role in the south african economy. Issues of concern include the shrinking traditional base of trade unions in the formal sector. Uk labour law thus protects workers, ensures freedom of individual choice, and bans excesses by either trade unions or managers. See annual report of the certification officer 20112012 2012 appendix 1. A history of conflict trade unions in south africa are not new to conflict. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. List of trade unions in south africa and their major role. Strategic choice in s a changing world by kwasi aduamankwah general secretary, african regional organization of the international trade union confederation ituc africa foreword t he solidarity center report titled african trade unions and africa s future.
The south african trade union movement represents a source of inspiration to organized labour worldwide, but has faced many challenges over the years. However, trade unionism in south africa is fragmented. Recent trends and future prospects 1 introduction since 1994, south africa has been rapidly reintegrated into the global economy, with the contribution of imports and exports rising strongly as a percentage of gdp. International labour productivity improvement and the role of. Trade unions in an emerging economy the case of south africa. Through the turbulent years of 19481991 trade unions played an important part in developing political and economic resistance, and eventually were one of. Numsa national union of metalworkers of south africa. As benjamin fogel points out, unions in south africa often uncritically reproduce the traditional image of the male, industrial south african proletariat.
From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions. History of trade unions trade unions have been in existence in south africa since the1880s. As a result, the labour market was characterized by a strong racial division of labour that would persist for decades to come. However, since 1994 a series of questions that relate to their role in democratic south africa have remained unanswered. Following a historical overview of the south african trade union movement before and after the end of apartheid, it considers the labour market legislation and institutions formed since 1994. This dissertation focuses on the future of trade unions as organisations in south africa, particularly on the factors which may influence the continued existence of unions. The report asks, looking at the trade union strategy in and of itself, what accounts.
The first black trade union was established in 1917. From the beginning unions could be viewed as a reflection of the racial disunity of the country, with the earliest unions being predominantly for white workers. Solidarity is one of the oldest independent trade unions in south africa. Labor regulations, unions, and social protection in developing.
Trade union, also called labor union, an association of workers in a particular trade, industry. Based on the findings of a survey of the congress of south african trade unions cosatu members conducted in 1998, wood and psoulis 2001 found high levels of. When the countrys first trade unions were started in 1881 and after, they were for. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to four. Today trade unions are still an important force in south africa, with 3.
Trade unions are found to have had an increasingly positive effect on members wages, although it appears that this increase has resulted in part from changes in the. There were trade unions, but most of their members were white workers. A trade union is an organisation of workers that promotes and protects the interests of its members in issues such as wages and working conditions, especially through negotiations with employers. Saldru, level 3, school of economic building, middle campus, university of cape town, rondebosch, 7700. A labour law perspective by makwena ernest manamela submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of doctor of laws at the university of south africa supervisor. The role of women in the south african trade union movement. Saha south african history archive the demand for trade. Sabinet factors that have an impact on the future of trade. Two such laws are discussed, namely, the labour relations act and the basic conditions of employment act. Firestone agricultural workers union of liberia fawul. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu is the largest of the three major trade union centres, with a membership of 1. These chiefly contributed to the emergence of trade unions in nigeria.
National council of trade unions nactu is south africa s thirdlargest trade union federation, comprising about 19 affiliate unions with a combined membership of nearly 400 000. The country is located in latitude 40n and 140n and longitude 20e and 150e. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions. Hepple has waged many a doughty battle on behalf of workers and voteless nonwhites. The congress came into existenc 195e i inn, order to provide. South african trade unions and employers organisations the tripartite relationship 193 south african trade unions 196 the trade union movement at the beginning of the 1980s 196 the overall position 196. Labour relations in the constitution, every worker has the right to join a trade union. Ways in which south african trade unions have intervened in the labour market 22 chapter two. The main purpose of a trade union is to collectively bargain with employers for wages, hours, and working conditions. Preparation the role of trade unions in launching the policy process. In south africa, efforts to organize casual and informal workers have failed. It was formed in 1986 as an amalgamation of the azanian confederation of trade unions and the council of unions of south africa. Essay about role of trade unions in south africa 2485 words.
Multiemployer collective bargaining in south africa. Congress of south african trade unions cosatu are instructive in this regard. What should the relationship be between trade unions and political parties, trade unions and the government and trade unions and the bosses in south africa today. African and latin american countries during the 1980s that suggested that labor. Traditionally trade unions role has been to protect jobs and real earnings, secure better conditions of work and life and fight against exploitation and arbitrariness to ensure fairness and equity in employment. National association of automobile manufacturers of south africa naamsa address. Trywell kalusopa kwabena nyarko otoo hilma shindondolamote. It is in the shadow of the above concerns that this report engages trade union strategy in south africa today. The relative merits of industrial unions over the craft and general unions are well known. Dreher and colleagues 2015 geocoded the data, assigning latitude and longitude co ordinates, and. The following is a list of major independent trade unions, which are solely accountable to their members and free from employer domination as it stood on 31 march 2012.
Trade unions, however, stood out among the other institutions, showing a far more significant fall in confidence. The role of national trade union organisations in south. The objective of the study was to reflect on the viewpoints of south african trade union leaders on factors influencing the future of trade unions as organisations. As a federation, it brought together many of the unions formed after the wave of strikes at the beginning of 1973 which marked a renewal of trade union activity after a decadelong lull. The responses of trade unions to the effects of neoliberalism. As an organized movement, trade unionism also called organized labour originated in the 19th. International labour productivity improvement and the role. Thereafter, a detailed evaluation of the impact of trade unions, legislation, and institutions on labour market outcomes in south africa is provided, and it is found that despite a long history. It then attempts to establish how trade unions have made use of the institution of collective bargaining, the importance of organisational rights to the trade union movement, the effectiveness of industrial. In this paper the focus is on how trade unions are trying to regain a role among these workers.
In literature, the power shift towards capital as a consequence of neoliberal restructuring since the 1980ies is mentioned as one of the most central reasons for shrinking union power. Over the years, trade unions have been involved in politics and other societal activities. We hope that the experience of south african trade unions and their role in promoting financial inclusion will inspire other unions to think through the diverse ways. In south africa black trade unions experienced phenomenal growth in the 1960s and the 1970s despite the fact that the governments policy towards them was one of suppression. Are trade unions still important for workers now under a democratically elected anc government in south africa. With over 100 registered trade unions, it is not surprising that over 3. In the late 1980s, they joined with southern africa the imprisoned society satis to set up the joint campaign against the repression of trade unionists.
Article pdf available january 2011 with 29,853 reads how we measure reads. With a steady decline in union membership over the past half century,1518. Current labour market challenges facing trade unions 16 1. To a greater or lesser degree there are surely choices to be made if unions are to discover a clear strategic direction. In this subsection we highlight the process of arriving at the trade union principles and guidelines on development effectiveness, and indicate how they will be used inside and outside the trade union movement.
The university of the witwatersrand the role of trade. The responses of trade unions to the effects of neoliberalism in south africa. Dec 03, 2015 trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. Nedlac national economic development and labour council. It does not prevent all strikes, just those that break the rules. This is a list of trade unions and union federations by country. Who, what and how trade unions in the twentyfirst century confront old dilemmas, but in new forms. This article deliberates the current state of trade unionism in south africa. In fact, cosatu congress of south african trade unions which was founded in 1985 today, with 1,7 million members not only the largest of the three federations in south africa, but undoubtedly also. The degree to which trade unions help resolve disputes with employers 31 4. In this section the problem statement will be discussed, after which the objectives that have been identified will be set out. May 24, 2017 while the specific reasons for this gradual decline of trade unions in europe may vary from country to country, labour scholars put forward some general explanations.
I national employment policies a guide for workers organisations ix contents the role of trade unions in the policy cycle quick overview v an overview of the role of trade unions in the policy cycle, stagebystage vi 3. Firstly, it considers the outcomes of research that was conducted in 2011. The study begins with a historical overview of trade unionism in south africa. This is what inspired the researcher to conduct a study in order to examine the role and challenges of trade unions in postapartheid south. The core argument of this study is that trade union organisations participate in creating public. The congress of south african trade unions cosatu was launched on 1 december 1985, at the height of the struggle against apartheid. Possible trade union responses to labour market challenges 20 1. South africa at that time, very few black workers were organised. In 1954 the south african congress of trade unions sactu merged with the council of noneuropean trade unions. For example, when employees have a low latitude and freedom in.
The report asks, looking at the trade union strategy in and of itself, what accounts for the decline in worker control, the loss of the battle to defend gains such as jobs and high. Congress of trade unions to publish this trade union guide for south african workers, written by mr. South africa is often cited as a perfect example for the importance of trade unions in political transformation processes. Trade unions in the united states were first organized in the early nineteenth century. The communist party of south africa cpsa played an important role in building the trade union movement in the 1940s. African american students, for example, were often steered into vocational.
It asks what role these trade union organisations played between 1999 and 2012 in the south african foreign policy process and what factors had a bearing on that role. The evolution of trade union in nigeria can be tied to. There was a political party that said that it was socialist the labour party but it collaborated with the bosses and their political parties, and only allowed white members. Trade unions in south africa have a history dating back to the 1880s. Trade unions have created positive effect on members wages, even though it seems that this increase has resulted in part from changes in the composition of union membership. Its role was mostly political rather than fighting for the rights of the workers. A critical assessment of trade union strategy the case of the cwiu, 19871999.
In south africa trade unions played a very important role to dismantle apartheid. A south african perspective j kruger ci tshoose 1 introduction the main objective of this article is to analyse the impact of section 18 of the labour relations act 66 of 1995 hereinafter the lra on the constitutionally entrenched right of every person to freedom of association. The specific labour laws regarding trade unions are. Register trade union to register a trade union, you must apply to the registrar of labour relations at the department of labour. In 1990 columbia lowered severance pay and gave firms greater latitude to lay. Unions and collective bargaining are less important in developing than. South africa was plagued by strikes in 20 as unions representing workers. Trade unions in south africa by southhow february 22, 2016, 9. The current union emerged from the mine workers union in 2002 490 during this time, several other unions, including the south african workers union, joined forces with the mine workers union. Trade unionists and their involvement with the anti. He has worked with iloactrav since 1997 and was based in. He has made a deep study of the industrial laws of the country and the history of the trade union movement.
Most of the african unions in south africa belong to it. In particular, workers are not free to form or join trade unions of their choice, only the all china federation of trade unions acftu, which is part of the government and party bureaucracy, is recognized in law. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions in. Most of our trade unions were born during the apartheid era. Chinese development projects and trade union involvement in africa.
British trade unions campaigned for the release of imprisoned union members in south africa and namibia. Until the 1930s trade unions were at a severe disadvantage with management, mainly because few laws recognized the right of workers to organize. Trade unions played an important role in south africas transition from apartheid in 1994 and keep on a very public role in the south african economy. Cosatu congress of south african trade unions cotu congress of trade unions kenya cpp convention peoples party csawuz civil servants and allied workers union of zambia. Trade union policies and practices 199 developments during the. Trade unions played an important role in south africa s transition from apartheid in 1994 and continue to play a very public role in the south african economy. The workers summit and its call for concrete steps to be taken towards the launch of a new, militant, independent trade union federation, laid the basis for a massive growth in popularity of the moves towards workers unity. Besides the 48 conterminous states that occupy the middle latitudes of the. In india, as in many other countries of south east asia, the trade union movement has been pre. Its origins go back to 1902 and the mines on the witwatersrand. Trade and trade policy in south africa dna economics.
I, marie uys, hereby declare that factors influencing the future of trade unions as organisations in south africa is my own work and that the observations, views and opinions expressed in this study are those of the author and the relevant literature references as shown in the references. Factors constraining trade unions in south africa today 75 the alliance. In particular, it established the congress of noneuropean trade unions cnetu which claimed a membership of 158,000 workers in 119 affiliated trade unions by 1945. In 2011 43% of south africans indicated that they trusted trade unions, falling to 29% in 2012, with 40% reporting that they distrusted trade unions and 31% remaining neutral. Labour unions and financial inclusion in south africa. South africa european union trade agremeent, sadc trade. Productivity improvement and the role of trade unions about the authors dr mohammed mwamadzingo is currently the regional desk of. The role and challenges of trade unions in postapartheid. In south africa, trade unions for many years not only fought for workers rights within the workplace but also beyond the workplace. She is divided into two vast unequal regions by a rough letter y derived from the confluences of. This in turn relates to the capacity of trade unions to function as solid organizations that can defend, protect and advance the interests of workers and meet their expectations.
Congress of south african trade unions cosatu south. Over the years, trade unions in europe have tried to extend their representation to these new groups of workers, implementing new strategic and organizational actions in order to satisfy the protection needs of not organized workers3. The perception of management with regards to unions in the. An analysis of sadc imports as a proportion of south africa s effective market defined as domestic production less exports plus imports demonstrates even more starkly the limited impact the trade offer will have on south africa s economy. For instance, the railway worker union was formed in 1899. It has a membership of fiftyone affiliated unions and represents. The economy has become more open, more productive and more outward orientated. Are these five responses complementary or contradictory. The federation south african federation of trade unions. As it is, trade unions in south africa are the strongest and most stable compared to other african countries. Saftu will have to move away from conventional and comfortable ways of recruiting, mobilizing, and.
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