Cosatu denies labour broker links

Cosatu president S'dumo Dlamini. File photo: Sizwe Ndingane

Cosatu president S'dumo Dlamini. File photo: Sizwe Ndingane

Published Nov 26, 2015

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Johannesburg – Re-elected Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president S’dumo Dlamini on Thursday denied that the trade union federation had investments in labour brokering companies.

“I would like to clear (up) distortions regarding (Labour) Minister Mildred Oliphant’s speech on Wednesday. Not a single Cosatu union is involved in labour brokering, not a single investment arm is guilty of what the minister was saying, he told delegates as he closed the “federation’s 12th congress in Midrand in Johannesburg.

“I know the union she was referring to, and it is not a Cosatu affiliated union.”

Oliphant told the congress on Wednesday that trade unions which had partnered with labour brokering companies for investment were hindering the total banning of the controversial practice of labour brokering.

“Some unions have partnered with the very same company of labour brokers for investment and that makes it difficult to end labour brokering, she said.”

Oliphant added that the union investment was the cause of division among the national leadership of unions and suggested that a probe be instituted into union investment practices.

“Some union investment are in individuals’ names, others under company names … this need to be investigated.”

Dlamini said the congress had emerged “united against the doomsayers”.

“We know you have been through difficult times, but I am sure you will agree with me that that chapter is closed. A firm foundation was laid by this congress … building unity is not a short-term event, it is work, hence we need to go back to basics.”

Cosatu has been vocal against labour brokers and campaigned against the banning thereof. The federation labelled labour brokering as “modern day slavery”.

Dlamini turned to newly elected deputy secretary Solly Phetoe and congratulated him. Phetoe was the North West secretary before his election at the congress. He defeated the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa’s Oscar Phaka.

“Welcome to the national leadership, Solly, feel at home, you have always been a brother to all of us … welcome.”

African News Agency

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