Bloomberg reports that labour federation Cosatu, which is a key ally of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has attacked the party for everything from delays in securing Covid-19 vaccines to failing to provide income support for workers affected by the pandemic.
In a submission to a meeting of the ANC’s top decision-making body, the National Executive Committee, the 1.8 million-strong Cosatu questioned why the party was failing to implement its own plans. It also challenged the need for a new plan due to be submitted by the ANC’s Economic Transformation Committee. “There’s no shortage of policies, nor do we need new plans. What we need is to honestly and constructively assess their implementation. This is something the government has failed to do,” Cosatu said in its submission, dated 22 January. Relations between the party and Cosatu have frayed over issues including a decision to freeze the wages of state employees and end an income-relief program (Ters) for workers who’ve lost pay as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. SA’s failure to start a vaccination program when at least 56 countries have done so has further inflamed tensions. With municipal elections due later this year, Cosatu questioned whether its members would vote for the ANC.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at Moneyweb <https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/south-africa/anc-union-allies-slam-party-for-inaction/>
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