COSATU gears up for its 15th National Congress

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is set to hold its 15th National Congress, coinciding with workers facing a rising cost of living, soaring inflation, and persistently high unemployment. A thousand eight hundred delegates representing 16 COSATU-affiliate unions are anticipated to elect the federation's leadership during the congress, which commences in Midrand, Johannesburg, this Monday.

Zanele Sabela, COSATU's national spokesperson, emphasizes that discussions at the congress will encompass the state of COSATU, its affiliated unions, and the dire economic conditions impacting workers. She highlights the federation's struggle as workers navigate an economy that has stagnated for over a decade, with inflation surging at a rate of 1%, and unemployment hovering at 43.8%.

Furthermore, Sabela points out that gig and platform workers are enduring particularly exploitative conditions in the evolving landscape of work.