The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has defended its stance on the National Minimum Wage, calling on government to speed up its implementation.
NUMSA’s view of FEDUSA and COSATU supporting the national minimum wage
The spokesperson for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), Phakhamile Hlubi told Political Analysis South Africa on 25 April 2018 that FEDUSA and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) had sold out workers by agreeing to the national minimum wage of R20 per hour.
“We’re not surprised that they would write it off in this way after their leadership…of these trade union federations have sold out their own members. They sold out the working class majority in this country,” she said.
“They sat in that boardroom and negotiated a poverty wage,” she added.
Why FEDUSA supports the national minimum wage
Dennis George, who is FEDUSA’s General Secretary defended the federation’s support of the NMW, telling Political Analysis South Africa on 30 April 2018 that the decision to agree to the national minimum wage came after research and that it would lift workers out of poverty.
“People are making allegations without any substantial data. Our research data shows that 4.5 million people in South Africa earn less that R3500 a month,” he said.
“We discussed the matter with our constituencies, and our constituencies agree that the minimum wage is not a living wage but it is a start and many people are going to benefit.”
“What we are saying is that we are going to lift 4.5 million people, lift their salary up and also bring in a commission every year that will review the salaries of the people,” he added.
George added that the FEDUSA 2018 May Day rally that will be held in Mthatha will focus on furthering its calls for the parliamentary process to be sped up in order for the implementation of the NMW to take place. He said that FEDUSA will be encouraging its members to work together with government, business and the community to make the country a better one for all.
