Johannesburg - Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant says the working class in South Africa has “never been afraid to advance its views on policy matters”.
“Cosatu continues to be a notable player in transformation,” she told the federation’s congress in Midrand.
“There were highly contested amendments to labour laws from 2013 to 2014 when all labour laws went through adjustments,” she added.
Outlining key labour law amendments, she said obtaining recognition as the majority union was now easier.
“In the past, unions had to have 50 percent plus one for majority union recognition. Now a commissioner could award majority rights to a union deemed sufficiently more representative than other unions,” Oliphant said.
Further, a commissioner may now extend a collective agreement to a third party.
She said there were currently only three functional federations, including Cosatu.
LABOUR BUREAU