Business Day.29/2/2008 — 02/29/2008 IN AN astonishing flip-flop on labour policy, African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma has been whipped into line by his trade union allies over his recent comments in support of a more flexible labour policy. [Note by Ever-fasternews: See 'J'accuse! Cosatu considering a putsch?' (3 January 2008)].
COSATU WHIPS ZUMA INTO LINE
Hajra Omarjee
So emphatic has Zuma’s about-turn been that he apparently told the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) this week that he would 'lay down his life' for the rights of workers - and the federation says it will 'hold him to it'. Sources said Zuma was summoned to Cosatu House this week to explain his comments in an interview in the Financial Mail last week, in which he made the case for uplifting SA’s 'second economy', asking: 'is it not possible to have the flexibility so that you can address both the first and second economy?'
His embarrassing somersault since then confirms that the 'honeymoon' between Zuma and his leftist allies has all but ended. It also raises questions about the extent to which Zuma appears to be beholden to his backers, and will prompt criticism that he is a policy lightweight who is being used to further the ends of his allies. It also speaks volumes about the relationship between the ANC and its allies, in which the ANC was always the dominant force. Now Cosatu is flexing its muscles.
Labour market reform
The federation has been vocal in its opposition to labour market reform, promising 'blood on the floor' if policy and legislation is changed. Cosatu's support is of particular significance to Zuma, who is first in line to be the ANC's presidential candidate when President Thabo Mbeki steps down next year. Cosatu used its muscle in the tripartite alliance to ensure Zuma's success at the ANC's 52nd conference in December.
But with a corruption trial pending against him, Zuma will need Cosatu's support to ensure sufficient backing for his presidential aspirations. Addressing the media on the outcomes of its central executive committee meeting yesterday, Cosatu leaders emphasised that it would no longer give the ANC 'a blank cheque' at elections but would tie it to 'deliverables.'
Cosatu will formally request that its leaders are included in the ANC's national executive committee as ex-officio members. 'At Polokwane we did not succeed, not because we did not have support but because of technicalities. We need the ANC to reflect its core constituency, the workers,' Cosatu’s acting president, Sdumo Dlamini, said. As a means to influence ANC processes, Cosatu has urged its provincial structures to 'identify' its preferred local leaders ahead of ANC provincial congresses .
Honeymoon over
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the 'honeymoon' after Zuma’s election was now over. 'In the first two months after Polokwane, Cosatu and the SACP (South African Communist Party) committed a mistake of celebrating and admiring the sterling work of the new ANC leadership. When that (ANC) leadership makes mistakes and make statements that have a potential of reversing the gains of Polokwane, Cosatu must speak out.' Vavi said that because ANC resolutions were open to interpretation, it was possible for 'defeat to be clutched from the jaws of victory'.
A war starts now
'We must be vigilant. The issue of interpretation is contested. That is a war that starts now,' Vavi said. As a means to influence government policy, Cosatu has resolved to set up a political commission that would work with a task team of experts to create policy. This is expected to be presented at a tripartite alliance summit later this year. Cosatu said it sought to ensure that the future 'cabinet, the Presidency, premiers, mayors and strategic staff such as DGs (directors-general)' were loyal to the agenda of the working class.