Category: Articles

COVID-19: Implications for retail sector

As one of the few businesses allowed to operate in South Africa during the covid-19 lockdown, are retailers doing enough to ensure protection and fair compensation of workers?

5 years ago

Covid-19: The impact on small-scale fishers – A perspective from South Africa

by LRS collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / informal economy / precarious employment

How can workers in the small-scale fisheries industry be supported to thrive during the covid-19 pandemic and beyond?

5 years ago

Double lockdown

by Trenton Elsely decent standard of living

How do we slow the spread of Covid-19 without shutting down the livelihoods of poor households?

5 years ago

COVID-19: Implications for waste reclaimers

by LRS collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / informal economy / precarious employment

The coronavirus pandemic has worsened the plight of waste reclaimers. Here’s how the government can support the workers helping to save up to R750m in potential landfill costs per year.

5 years ago

COVID-19: Implications for domestic workers in South Africa

by New Frame care work / domestic workers / labour law / retrenchments

At the mercy of their employers, domestic workers in South Africa have little legal recourse in cases of unfair and inhumane treatment.

5 years ago

Covid-19 is locking down livelihoods

by Trenton Elsely collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / precarious employment / social dialogue / vulnerable workers

Support working class families in South Africa through the covid-19 pandemic.

5 years ago

How to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 crisis on informal sector workers

by LRS collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / informal economy / precarious employment

A network of organisations representing informal workers in South Africa wants the government to provide social and economic support to millions of workers in the informal sector amid covid-19.

5 years ago

COVID-19 and world of work: Impacts and responses

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / decent work

The ILO’s preliminary assessment concerning the possible impacts of coronavirus on the world of work proposes a range of policy options to mitigate these impacts and facilitate strong recovery.

5 years ago

Coronavirus and workers in South Africa: Know your rights and responsibilities

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / south africa / workers’ rights

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and subsequent government reactions have both employees and employers uncertain. Know your rights as a worker.

5 years ago

Coronavirus: Getting Workplaces Ready

by LRS collective bargaining support / Coronavirus / covid-19 / occupational health and safety

How to prevent the spread of the covid-19 in your workplace and the measures to take when travelling to work and organising organising meetings and events. Applying the OHS Act.

5 years ago

The head, heart and hands of worker education today

by Nina Benjamin collective bargaining support / fourth industrial revolution / future of work / online courses / worker education

We come into the learning process as full people with our thinking and critical reflection, feelings and emotions and our readiness to engage in action.

5 years ago

What have we learned about trade union organising in changing workplaces?

by George Mthethwa articles / collective bargaining support / organise

With the rising inequality in South Africa, strong trade unions are a force for good in society. Here’s why unions need to invest more in organising and recruitment.

5 years ago

Recruiting workers to the trade union: Tips for organisers

by George Mthethwa collective bargaining support / organise / worker education

Trade union recruitment in South Africa is lax, yet the strength of organisations largely depends on growing membership. Here’s an effective approach to recruiting members.

5 years ago

South African multinational corporations in Africa – Sectoral reports

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg MNC trends report 2019 / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

We analysed 14 economic sectors in South Africa to provide trade unions with strategic research that can help them influence corporate governance in big companies to protect workers.

5 years ago

National Minimum Wage Commission Progress Report

by Trenton Elsely AGREED database / collective bargaining support / minimum wages / national minimum wage campaign

Key insights, challenges, progress and prospects of the national minimum wage in South Africa.

5 years ago

Know your basic rights in the workplace

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg collective bargaining support / labour law / workplace rights

South Africa’s constitution and the various labour laws protect workers. Workers who know about their rights are better able to protect themselves. Know your rights.

5 years ago

16 priority demands for collective bargaining

by George Mthethwa collective bargaining agreements / collective bargaining support / negotiate / organise / peer learning process / workers' education

Worker representatives have identified the priority demands that will strengthen the collective bargaining agreements covering millions of workers in South Africa.

5 years ago

Women workers in South Africa and the battle for equality

by Nelly Nyagah gender equality / negotiate / organise / women's leadership development / workers' education

Twenty-five years after Beijing, there’s progress for women workers in South Africa but major challenges remain.

5 years ago

A commissioner’s guide to improving your chances of winning CCMA cases

by LRS CCMA / collective bargaining support / peer learning process / workers’ rights

Commissioner Nhlanhla Ndaba offers a quick refresher to worker representatives on navigating CCMA processes.

5 years ago

Ideas for trade union growth in South Africa

by Nelly Nyagah negotiate / organise / trade union development / workers' education

National Negotiator at SADTU, Shiyinduku Twala, says trade unions need to adapt to the changing workplace if they hope to remain effective.

5 years ago

Six ways to end gender-based violence

by LRS GBVH / gender based violence / gender equality

The root cause of gender-based violence is inequitable gender norms. What can you do to help end GBV?

5 years ago

The fourth industrial revolution risks leaving women behind

by The Conversation care work / fourth industrial revolution / future of work / gender equality

South Africa’s labour market is more favourable to men than to women, and the fourth industrial revolution may widen the gap, writes Dr Rachel Adams, Research Specialist at Human Sciences Research Council.

5 years ago

The Issue of Dignity in Health Facilities in South Africa

by Nina Benjamin decent work / gender based violence / gender eqaulity / health sector

The key infrastructure challenges for community health care workers in South Africa who form part of the Ward Based Primary Health Outreach Teams.

5 years ago

How does Massmart treat workers in Africa?

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg company research / retail sector / shop stewards alliance support / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

Trade unions in the retail sector in Africa have found ways of working together and with unions globally to ensure decent work in multinational corporations.

5 years ago

Applying a Decent Standard of Living (DSL) measure towards a coherent policy design

by LRS collective bargaining support / decent standard of living / decent standard of living measure / living wage / social dialogue

In the context of policy making in South Africa, it is easy to lose the big picture of the direction in which the country hopes to move. We unpack some of the policy implications for the DSL.

5 years ago

Many jobs in South Africa could soon be automated, and the country isn’t prepared

by The Conversation fourth industrial revolution / future of work / transforming corporate governance

Dr Daniel B. le Roux investigates the impact of automation on economies in the developing world.

5 years ago

Ending violence and harassment in the world of work is a union issue

by Nosipho Twala gender based violence / gender equality / ILO Convention 190 / workplace violence

Trade unions campaigned for ILO Convention 190 on ending violence and harassment in the world of work. The challenge now is getting the governments to ratify the convention.

5 years ago

Where does the DSL come from?

by LRS collective bargaining support / decent standard of living / living wage / social dialogue

We now have a socially derived definition of a decent standard of living (DSL) in South Africa. The DSL was developed using simple steps that included what ordinary people thought.

5 years ago

Supporting collective bargaining for workers in precarious forms of employment

by LRS collective bargaining support / peer learning process / workers' education

What will it take for worker leaders and the LRS to create resources that support collective bargaining for workers in precarious forms of employment?

5 years ago

Strong trade unions can help reduce inequality in South Africa

by Nelly Nyagah collective bargaining support / negotiate / workers' education

NUMSA negotiator, Oupa Sifume, says collective bargaining in South Africa is under attack and only strong unions can deliver on the mandates from workers to reduce inequality in our society.

5 years ago

A life without struggle in South Africa is achievable

by Trenton Elsely collective bargaining support / decent standard of living / living wage / social dialogue / social protection

In among all the numbers, we have lost sight of dignity, and our value and worth as human beings. So how do we bring dignity back into the equation?

5 years ago

Chinese multinational corporations in Africa: what’s the trade union response?

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg multinational / multinational corporations database / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

Trade unions in Africa are aware of the need to develop strategies for responding to Chinese multinational corporations operating on the continent.

5 years ago

Women unionists are learning how to be heard

by Nelly Nyagah gender equality / promoting gender equality in Southern Africa / women's leadership development

UNTU’s Siphiweokuhle Sithole, 31, is among the women unionists fighting to instil cultures of gender equality in workplaces in South Africa.

6 years ago

A band of male comrades united for women

by Nelly Nyagah gender equality / negotiate / women's leadership development / women's rights

FEDUSA’s Babongile Dumani is a male champion supporting the rights of working women in southern Africa.

6 years ago

Overlooked no more: Could this be the new reality for domestic workers in South Africa?

by Nelly Nyagah care work / COIDA / collective bargaining support / domestic workers / precarious employment

At the centre of a landmark court ruling last month was the rights of about a million domestic workers. Union leader, Pinky Mashiane (pictured, centre), says the road ahead is still long

6 years ago

Wage negotiations in South Africa: what to expect in 2019-2020

by LRS bargaining benchmarks / collective bargaining support / wage negotiations

2019-2020 period will see some key sectors involved in wage negotiations. George Mthethwa gives his take on union bargaining in the current context.

6 years ago

Creating a model inclusive collective bargaining agreement

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining support / negotiate / organise / peer learning process

What will it take to negotiate for all workers across formal and informal and workplaces taking into account their different needs, roles and identities?

6 years ago

Organising young workers: How are unions faring in South Africa?

by LRS negotiate / organise / trade union strategies / workers' education

SACCAWU shop steward, Bongani Mkhize (35), has tips for organising and involving young workers in trade unions.

6 years ago

What will it take to build LGBT inclusive workplaces in South Africa?

by Nina Benjamin gender equality / homophobia / LGBTI rights

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers continue to experience discrimination, harassment and violence. How grave is the issue in South Africa? Learn more…

6 years ago

Tell them you know how much the boss is really earning

by LRS bargain / negotiate / South African multinational companies / transforming corporate governance

South African MNCs in Africa: Bargaining with Multinationals guide shows union negotiators how to make better use of information on company revenue, profits and directors’ pay.

6 years ago

Collective bargaining and gender equality in South Africa

by Nosipho Twala collective bargaining agreements / gender equality / ILO Convention 190

What will it take for trade unions to make collective bargaining an active mechanism for the promotion of gender equality at the workplace?

6 years ago

Handling grievances – tips for shop stewards

by LRS bargain / collective bargaining support / shop stewards

Defending workers from injustices and ill-treatment ensures union members remain interested and active.

6 years ago

Inspiring women organising strategies – The mall Story

by Nina Benjamin organise / organising strategies / retail sector

We’ve encountered great organising strategies used by women workers in the course of our work. Our member union, SACCAWU, managed to mobilise women working in shopping malls.

6 years ago

The right answers on school safety

by Nina Benjamin education unions / gender based violence / gender equality / peer learning process / school related gender based violence / trade union development

To prevent and end school-related gender-based violence in sub-Saharan Africa, teacher unions are collaborating to find solutions that can bring sustainable changes.

6 years ago

The trade union response to workplace violence

by Nina Benjamin collective impact initiative / frontline healthcare workers / gender based violence / gender equality / health sector / workplace violence

Gender-based violence in the healthcare sector is a priority issue. How are unions in South Africa responding?

6 years ago

Social norms are difficult to change, can collective impact help?

by Nosipho Twala collective impact initiative / gender action learning / gender based violence / gender equality

Against daunting odds, a remarkable exception has emerged in the Vaal region of Gauteng Province where community members are working together to end gender-based violence.

6 years ago

The future of work in the retail sector

by Dr Salomé Teuteberg company research / future of work / shop stewards alliance support

The story of how the future of work will look is still being written and unions in Africa must also wield the pen. Here’s what we know about this hot topic.

6 years ago

Inspiring and innovative women organising strategies – A train story

by Nosipho Twala gender equality / organise / organising strategies

Nosipho Twala writes about her experience travelling in a Metrorail train in Gauteng Province and discovering a space with a creative blend of consciousness-raising, organising and mobilising.

6 years ago

Meet the Union Leader: Pinky Mashiane, founder of United Domestic Workers of South Africa

by Nelly Nyagah care work / COIDA / domestic workers / ILO Convention 190

Domestic workers unions in South Africa have challenged the constitutionality of COIDA, which provides compensation to workers for occupational injuries, diseases and death but excludes domestic workers.

6 years ago

How to deal with the pain of others – Tips for educators, facilitators and researchers

by Nosipho Twala facilitation exercises / gender based violence / gender equality / vicarious trauma

As an educator and facilitator in the LRS Gender Programme, I am exposed to human trauma often. Here’s advise on how to become more resilient.

6 years ago

The state of gender inequality in the world of work

by Nelly Nyagah care work / GBVH / gender based violence / gender equality / Transforming unequal gender relations in the world of work / women leadership development / women's month

Nina Benjamin, Leader of the LRS Gender Programme, reflects on our gender equality work and the emerging issues in the world of work.

6 years ago

Meet the union leader: Philasande Mthethwa, Organiser at Swaziland Commercial and Allied Workers Union

by Nelly Nyagah organising strategies / retail sector / South African multinational companies / worker leaders

At 19 years he was assaulted by a Chinese manager at the garment factory he worked and his life changed forever. Here’s Phila’s journey in trade unionism.

6 years ago

How this worker co-operative made it in South Africa

by Nelly Nyagah capitalism / collective bargaining support / organise / productivity / worker co-operatives

Who needs a boss? Inside one of South Africa’s most successful worker-run businesses.

6 years ago

Meet the union leader: Myrtle Witbooi, General Secretary of SADSAWU

by Nelly Nyagah COIDA / domestic workers / ILO Convention 190 / precarious employment

Once ‘invisible’, she now fights for other domestic workers.

6 years ago

From despair to hope: How Letsema transformed my life

by LRS collective impact initiative / gender based violence / gender equality / letsema project

The latest crime statistics show our society is becoming more violent, and the poor are most affected. Unbowed by the violence, here’s how one community is responding.

7 years ago

Interview with Nyaniso Siyana, Chairperson of LRS Board

by LRS governance / LRS board / workers' education

Nyaniso Siyana is the chairperson of the LRS board. As a veteran unionist, we wanted to find out his thoughts on how our work is impacting our member unions

7 years ago