How effective is Cosatu’s national day? Analysts give their views

It is unlikely government will be galvanised to immediately respond to the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) demands made during its national day of action on Thursday. 

This is the view of analysts canvassed by TimesLIVE Premium as Cosatu held 12 marches nationwide protesting the rising levels of unemployment, wage cuts, poverty and inequality. 

Among its demands is that government raise the R350 social relief of distress grant to the food poverty line of R663 in the October mini budget, and that it extends the presidential employment stimulus to accommodate one million active participants in October 2023 and two million in February 2024.

They also want government to urgently intervene to rebuild and modernise Transnet and Metrorail and prevent the collapse and liquidation of the Post Office. 

Political analyst Piet Croucamp said government would not be able to meet Cosatu’s demands in the short term.

“Government will say they want to address the issues raised by Cosatu but can only address them if resources are available and there is strong economic growth,” Croucamp said. 

He said the march was a way for Cosatu to show its strength.

He said this would be difficult as only about 12% of labour belongs to unions. 

“They understand those things they demand cannot be achieved in the short term. These are ideals that government is also pursuing,” Croucamp said. 

Labour analyst Andrew Levy said most strike actions by unions are usually against an employer where the employer could do something about it. 

“This strike is under section 77 of the Labour Relations Act. This is a political strike.

“If you look at reasons behind it, every South African will say they have the same concerns about corruption, the high unemployment rate and so on.” 

Levy said Cosatu achieves a number of things by this strike. 

“They give membership something to focus on. The best way is to build unity. It does set a ‘them and us’ situation. It engenders solidarity,” Levy said. 

Levy said the strike was also a way unions can show government that “look at us we are strong and we carry weight”. 

Levy said many workers sympathised with Cosatu’s concerns but cannot lose a day’s wage and put their jobs in jeopardy, despite this being a protected strike. 

However, Levy said the support for the strike will be disappointing. 

“It is a way of saying ‘we are relevant’ and the issues raised are pertinent, but I do not believe government will galvanise itself into action. 

“If you look at sabre rattling and behaviour of two boxers when they show muscles, it is partly a demonstration of that.” 

He said union membership has been dwindling. 

Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said Cosatu’s demands were reasonable and they should be asking for these things.

However, Mathekga said to Cosatu was an ANC ally in the tripartite alliance with the South African Communist Party.

“They are supposed to have privileged platforms to raise these issues. They are much closer to policy levers. We expect to see their influence. I do not see the influence.” 

Mathekga said Cosatu has to be seen by its membership to be doing something about the problems facing the workers.

Mathekga said he hoped this march was complementing other efforts Cosatu was having within the tripartite alliance.

“They are supposed to be seeing results within the tripartite alliance. Hitting the streets is a way of ensuring they are seen as vigilant. The reality is they are sitting within the tripartite alliance and there is a lot they should have achieved within,” he said. 

Other demands by the federation was that government allocate further funds to Sars to tackle tax evasion and customs fraud and fill all funded public service and sector vacancies by December 2023. 

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