COSATU dismisses as bizarre DA suggestion of fringe groups being part G20 labour stream, L20
The DA says the platform is being politicised by being restricted to an African National Congress (ANC)-aligned labour union and doesn’t represent a diversity of views.
COSATU’s Parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks. Picture: X/Radio702
CAPE TOWN – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has dismissed as bizarre suggestions from the Democratic Alliance (DA) that fringe groups and organisations be part of the G20 labour stream, the L20.
The DA said the platform is being politicised by being restricted to an African National Congress (ANC)-aligned labour union and doesn’t represent a diversity of views.
But COSATU’s parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks said political parties can’t dictate to labour who should represent it.
After a meeting of parliament’s international relations committee on Wednesday, the DA’s Ryan Smith complained that COSATU is too strongly aligned to the ANC’s policies to be the main representative at the L20.
He said this arrangement also doesn’t reflect South Africa’s new political reality.
“Just as the government of national unity represents a plurality of voices in the national executive so must our country’s g20 presidency represent a diversity of ideas and policy positions to solve our country’s most pressing problems.”
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But COSATU’s parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks said Smith’s viewpoint demonstrates a lack of understanding as to how organised labour works.
Parks said all four of the country’s major federations COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU and SAFTU will be represented at the L20, with COSATU as the coordinator.
He said the L20 representation will work in the same manner as at other international platforms like the international labour organisation and the African Union.
“It’s quite undermining for a politician seeking to impose his views on organised labour. Organised labour decides for itself how it’s constituted, within the NEDLAC act and protocol.”
Parks said the arrangement is also more practical, given the more than 200 labour unions in the country.
The L20 will hold its first meeting in Gqeberha next week.
Meanwhile, Smith said he will be writing to International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and provide him with a list of organisations he thinks should also be invited, including the National Employers’ Association of South Africa.
Parks said his request is misdirected, and that employer organisations and think tanks should rather be participating in the business forum.