SAFTU vows to hit the streets against proposed labour law amendments

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has promised to take to the streets to protest against the proposed amendments to the country’s labour laws.

For the past three years, the union federation has been part of a task team convened by the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) to discuss proposals to amend a number of sections in the Labour Relations Act.

The proposals by government and organised business want to make sweeping changes to issues like retrenchments, minimum wage and dismissals among others.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, SAFTU said it was opposed to a majority of them.

The proposed labour amendments are yet to be made public.

Once the discussions are over, NEDLAC will present a report to the labour minister.

The labour minister is expected to gazette an amendment bill which will be taken through parliamentary processes.

READ: SAFTU against proposed labour law changes making it easier to dismiss workers

SAFTU general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, said once it gets to Parliament, it will be too late to stop it from being signed into law.

"Our appeal to the labour federations still is we need a joint statement in rejection, not just in NEDLAC, we need a joint action in rejection of these amendments in the streets. What you have not won in the streets you will not win in the negotiation table. Our appeal to all of them, it is time to put egos on the side, to join forces to mobilise the rest of the working class, in particular the young people, in rejection of these amendments."

Organised business said these amendments would streamline and improve efficiency in the workplace.