City Press reports that Cosatu has warned that job cuts in the public sector would lead to a skills exit, leaving departments with no option but to rehire those who left to work as consultants.  

Speaking last week following a special sitting of the trade union federation’s central executive committee, general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said that Cosatu was “furious” with the minister of public service and administration, Ayanda Dlodlo.  He said that she had been disingenuous in her responses to reports that there were plans to cut 30,000 jobs in the public sector.  “Our issue is that we don’t trust the minister.  We want the ANC to come out and say, ‘it shall not happen’ … We can’t be pushing for a job summit on one hand and then firing people on the other,” Ntshalintshali stated.  On whether or not Cosatu would arrange a meeting with the ANC and Dlodlo, the general secretary said that they would not meet with the minister.  “We don’t want to get an explanation from her on this thing.  We want the ANC to see Dlodlo, that is their homework.  They are the leading party,” Ntshalintshali indicated.  Cosatu last week went as far as threatening to take to the streets in protest.  Ntshalintshali said the issue of whether or not workers would be mandated to vote for the ANC would be decided by delegates at next month’s national conference.

• Read this report by S’Thembile Cele in full at Fin24

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