Sunday Discussion: Do you believe labour unions are still the best vehicle to address worker issues in South Africa?
Tomorrow is Workers Day, a day when worker issues are brought into sharp focus. South Africa's 225 registered trade unions represent approximately three million workers, but changing employment contracts, including outsourcing, informatisation of jobs, and remote working, have led to diminishing membership numbers. In addition to declining membership leading to reduced income for trade unions, the labour movement has also lost the support of international donors that supported trade unions during the struggle for democracy. At the same time, recent studies indicate that workers have lost trust in unions and their officials due to perceptions of "business trade unionism", as some leaders become more concerned with enriching themselves than with their members' daily workplace challenges. Many ordinary workers are now increasingly asking why they should belong to a trade union and pay their subscriptions when they are failed by their union. Labour experts say trade unions need to urgently embark on a path of revitalisation by listening to the needs of a new generation of workers, embracing technology, and considering new forms of organising and collective action. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Joseph Mathunjwa, President of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union - AMCU - and Phillip Vilakazi, Deputy President of the National Union of Mineworkers - NUM...
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