BL Premium reports that ANC-aligned labour federation Cosatu has resolved to work with government departments and law enforcement agencies to ensure employers comply with SA’s labour laws and that South Africans are given “priority status” for employment.

This after several opposition parties – ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance and community organisations including Operation Dudula – have spoken out against illegal immigration and called for South Africans to be prioritised when it comes to job opportunities and other economic empowerment initiatives. SA is battling a 33.2% unemployment rate. Cosatu held a four-day eighth central committee meeting in Benoni last week where issues pertaining to unemployment, corruption, collective bargaining, worker unity and a reconfigured alliance (ANC, SACP, Cosatu and Sanco) were discussed.

In its declaration, Cosatu said the central committee’s resolutions included working with the department of employment & labour, home affairs and law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance by all employers; fighting against employers using illegal migrants as cheap labour and to avoid compliance; ensuring that South Africans were given priority status in employment; and initiating a campaign against human trafficking, with particular focus on women and children as the worst victims.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

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