The rising cost of living, unemployment and the changing nature of work are expected to dominate COSATU’s 15th National Congress when it opens in Midrand on Monday.
About 1,800 delegates from the federation’s 16 affiliated unions are due to attend the congress, where they will also elect COSATU’s leadership.
Spokesperson Zanele Sabela told SABC News that delegates would assess the state of the federation and its affiliates, as well as conditions facing workers across the country.
She said the gathering would examine the effect of slow economic growth and unemployment on households. COSATU puts the unemployment rate at 43.8% when discouraged work-seekers are included and says the economy has grown by about 1% a year for more than a decade.
Gig work on the agenda
The congress is also expected to discuss the position of workers in the gig and platform economy. That includes people whose work is arranged through digital platforms and who often fall outside conventional employment arrangements.
Sabela said the organisation wanted to consider how technological change was reshaping work and the conditions experienced by those workers.
COSATU general secretary Solly Phetoe said preparations for the gathering had been completed. The congress will set the federation’s programme and policy priorities for the next term.
The leadership vote will take place against the backdrop of continuing pressure on household budgets and debate over employment, wages and economic growth.
