Good morning; another interesting read: PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM AWARE THAT MINUTES ARE INTERNAL ISSUES AND THEY NEED TO BE SHARED AFTER AUTHORISATION. I AM SHARING SO THAT WE PUT IT ON RECORD WHERE WE ARE COMING FROM. If advised to pull this post down or CENSOR it, I will do so. EXTRACT FROM THE COSATU SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES THAT WE ATTENDED ON THE 22nd OF APRIL 2014: 9. Migrant Workers Association input and discussion Comrade Jane introduced the two representatives of the MWASA who had been invited to give a presentation on their work, following agreement at the previous meeting that the challenge of organising cross border migrant workers exists in all sectors where vulnerable workers are found. Comrade Sibanda gave an input. Challenges faced by cross-border migrant workers include the following:- Difficulties in getting documented despite the amnesty and four year dispensation, which actually discouraged many workers from getting documented, because of the fear of the unknown after 4 years Desperation Fear of joining unions Xenophobia Administrative problems such as difficulty in opening a bank account, especially for informal sector workers The Migrant Workers’ Association is not a union as such. It is a registered NPO, whose focus is on assisting non South African workers of all nationalities to get documented, and take up employment cases in some instances. MWASA would like to participate in COSATU campaigns and events, to make people aware of the challenges, and to make visible the invisible e.g. home based garment workers producing for the formal economy. The organisation has taken up some cases at the CCMA e.g. security guards, but long term solutions to the status of migrant workers are needed, not just payouts. MWASA does not want to compete with unions, but to provide a complementary service and to refer to the relevant. It does not promise the earth in terms of permanent status, but hope that progressive policy will emerge out of activism around documentation. The office is at 130 Main St, corner Kruis, Budget House, Johannesburg. It is open 8.30 to 3.30 pm weekdays, and sometimes Saturday mornings. An office is about to be opened in Pretoria. MWASA has a joining fee of R60 joining and an annual fee of R40. The organisation has a constitution and a governance structure. It will be holding an AGM later this year for election of a committee comprised of members. The organisation is very new and doesn’t have established links with trade unions in the “sending countries”. The following points were made in discussion:- Synergy is critical, because migrant workers are seen to undermine existing labour rights – it would be important for MWASA to address every affiliate It is not only cross-border migrants who do not join unions, but many South African workers don’t join either. Historically however, migrant workers built our unions. We need to have a detailed discussion on organising. All our affiliates should have organisers who can address cross-border migrants. NUM historically did this. We have a problem at the moment with many of the politicians who are making anti foreigner statements in the run-up to the election – including the ANC SG who recently stated that the unemployment problem is caused by foreign workers. 80% of all waitrons in restaurant industry are Zimbabwean. SACCAWU has tried the approach of assisting with documentation, but doesn’t have the expertise. The union wants to organise these workers however. FAWU is currently targeting Zimbabwean and Mozambican workers on farms in Limpopo and Mpumalanga ILO has a project on migrant domestic workers – partnership for information sharing between SA and Zimbabwe. Doing research to bring about a policy framework. The project leaders will be referred to the MWA. There are many instances of migrant workers who lose their provident fund savings Noted that there are also instances of CCMA Commissioners making rulings based on wrong assumptions that SA law doesn’t cover undocumented migrants To organise migrants we must learn to address their needs, which include documentation (even if it means partnering) Concluding decisions:- We welcome having a partner to work with on these issues. We should have a dedicated workshop on organising migrant workers – preferably two days in the third quarter. The workshop should include some international input (possibly from Janice Fine) and inputs based on approaches of our affiliates. .............END........ Note: Our Northern Regional Office covering North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo has been opened in Pretoria, Gezina at Number 534 Voortrekker Road. WORKS STRICTLY ON APPOINTMENT and is currently manned by: B. Nyathi ---Cell: 0603119086, Whatsapp: 0736211230. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS AND GUIDANCE. Write to us on: [email protected], Whatsapp: 0736211230, Cell: 0603119086, Our offices are in Johannesburg next to Carlton Centre--for appointment at our offices call our landline: 0110748022 or Cell--0788535353 (available on whatsapp) *Watch out for MWASA WORK/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR AFTERNOON POST* I thank you. POST BY: B. Nyathi
Posted on: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 07:14:17 +0000
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