The business sector is disappointed with the Congress of SA Trade Union's (Cosatu's) decision to proceed with industrial action against labour broking tomorrow.
Business Unity SA (Busa) notes that the Federation of Unions of South Africa has reservations about its participation in this action. “We believe common ground could still be found with Cosatu between stronger regulation of the labour broking sector on the one hand, as opposed to a total ban on the other,” says Busa.
It adds that a well regulated labour broking sector must still play an essential role in job creation at a time when SA desperately needs to promote an employment-friendly environment. “It is possible to find a regulatory framework for labour broking, which eliminates abuses, while retaining its facilitative role in job creation.”
The association also says that, nonetheless, it hopes that the planned industrial action will be conducted in a climate of calmness and without violence. “There should be no damage to property and no intimidation of those who do not want to participate. Busa also believes that, where damage occurs, the organising union should be held liable.”
“We are convinced that it will be as peaceful as ever. We call on the law enforcement agencies to behave themselves in this peaceful march as we have already called on the workers to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner,” says Cosatu.
No pay
The Gauteng Department of Education says it recognises the rights of all employees to participate in a strike or all other forms of industrial action within the parameters of the law and the constitution. However, it reiterates that the principle of “no work, no pay” will apply for this industrial action.
“We will manage the industrial action in terms of Circular 25/2010 and Circular 28/2010. We are distributing a strike register for offices and institutions so that we can effect deductions for those who participate in the industrial action. Department officials and managers of offices will be required to keep a register of employees who are absent from work. In the event that a principal is part of the industrial action, the district must ensure that tasks outlined by these two circulars are fulfilled.”
In addition to the registers, the department will collect data telephonically.
Sector shutdown
Provincial branches of Cosatu have all indicated their readiness for the protest action tomorrow. “We reconfirm that we are more than ready for the national stay-away on Wednesday on labour brokers. We have always stated that we will only rest on this matter when there is a total ban of labour brokers, as we believe that they are nothing else but another form of modern slavery and a sophisticated system of human trafficking. It remains our contending view that labour brokers are far from being part of the decent work agenda; in fact they are the worst and most ruthless form of human exploitation.”
It adds that labour broking seeks to enrich lazy individuals at the expense of the labour of the ordinary workers. “We call for a total shutdown of the retail sector and no workers should go to work on that day to show our seriousness in fighting labour broking. This is a fight that we cannot afford to lose as we seek to liberate our people from the chains of the brutal capitalist regime.”
The federation informs all workers that the strike is protected, “so they must attend in large numbers, without fear. It is protected strike or action as per section 77 LRA.”
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