Strike Violence PMB: It is time for COSATU to bring labour relations into the 21st Century

8 July 2014

COSATU's official response opposing the DA's proposed private members bill that would seek to prevent strike related violence shows that the union federation has yet to come to terms with labour relations in the 21st century and demonstrates that it is quickly becoming a fossil in our political landscape.

In many countries in the world, as COSATU is surely aware, there exists modern legislation, allowing courts or statutory bodies certain powers to suspend strikes for periods of time after the strike has become violent, to give arbitration via the courts or other statutory bodies a chance to settle a wage or other dispute. This is done to benefit the worker, employers and the general economy.

It is not unusual for Mr Craven to use hysterical language to describe a proposal which he doesn't like and which would modernise labour relations in South Africa. He did so similarly with the DA's support of the Youth Wage Subsidy. Needless to say, this proposal is now law and creating jobs for our young citizens.

Indeed, what Mr Craven is clearly scared of is that this proposal will become law too. It was in fact taken seriously by all parties in the National Assembly in 2011 when it became the only private members bill to be taken forward by the Committee for Private Members Legislative Proposals and Petitions.

It also reflects the Constitutional Court's decision in South African Transport and Allied Workers Union and Another v Garvas and Others, where it ruled that unions can be expected to pay for malicious damage to property caused by individuals who are members of that union.

The DA will work quickly to ensure that this private member's bill is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Given the new dispensation following the decision of Abrosini v the Speaker of the National Assembly, it will now be allowed to go straight to the Labour Committee, where the DA will tirelessly lobby all parties across the floor to support this proposal.

This legislation will be in the best interests of all our people, and ensure that the constitutionally enshrined right to strike, which the DA respects and will protect, is balanced with the safety of all South Africans.

Statement issued by Ian Ollis MP, DA Shadow Minister of Labour, July 8 2014

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