No ratings free pass from us — Cosatu
Union federation takes tough stance ahead of today's crucial Nedlac meeting
Business leaders and the government have been talking the good talk to persuade ratings agencies to hold off on a downgrade of South Africa, but Cosatu was adamant on Friday that workers' rights would not be sacrificed. This comes after hopes that a report on labour reforms to be tabled at a meeting of the National Economic Development and Labour Council today would pave the way for measures that could alleviate tension in the labour market. However, Cosatu spokesman Sizwe Pamla said that while Cosatu would be a constructive partner, "most of the things that people want to put on the table to pacify ratings agencies are actually about eroding hard-won workers' rights". He added: "If those ratings agencies can only be pacified through handing over workers to big business, they can forget about co-operation and participation from Cosatu. The issue of the minimum wage is simple: we want R4,500." The ratings issue was a "distraction", he said. " We have lost almost 600,000 jobs this yea...
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