“Knowledge is too Important

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The April 2013 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

PRESS RELEASE: Women Unite Across Labour Federations for New Campaign

A collective focus on gender based violence, sexual harassment, support for domestic workers and maternity protection is a priority, according to labour representatives who met on May 15 – 17 2013.

Read more

LRS Bargaining Monitor - The Collective Bargaining Indicators Edition

   > Organisation and Representation

   > the Wage Bargaining Review

   > The Conditions of Employment Review

   > The Company Review

   > Bargaining Recommendations for 2013

Click here to download

 Workplace Rights Belong to Everyone Workshop Report

LRS and GALA co-hosted a workshop on the 11-12 April 2013, with the theme "Workplace Rights Belong to Everyone - Addressing Homophobia in the Workplace. The Workshop Report is now out, adn you can access it by clicking here.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The March 2013 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

20130424 MEDIA RELEASE 2 - WAGES WORKSHOP

There is a recognisable need for a comprehensive wage information system in South Africa, according to representatives from business, labour, government and research units who attended a workshop on Wage Data and Social Dialogue in Johannesburg this week.

Click here for the Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE Wages Workshop 23 April 2013

The National Labour and Economic Development Institute (Naledi) and the Labour Research Service (LRS) will host a unique workshop on wages and income information on 23 April, 2013 in collaboration with Nedlac in Johannesburg. Wage Data and Social Dialogue: Establishing a wage database to inform social dialogue will bring together participants from government, business, labour and organisations that provide research on wages and income. This will mark the first time that representatives from these different sectors will collaborate in a workshop to provide accessible wage information.

Click here for the Media Release

Trenton Elsley featured on SAFM AmLive Discussion about a proposed national wage policy that would determine minimum wages contrywide by 2014

WORKPLACE RIGHTS BELONG TO EVERYONE

Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action & Labour Research Service invite trade union leaders to take part in a workshop addressing homophobia in the workplace

This event aims to:
• inform and educate participants about homophobia and discrimination and the rights of LGBTI people in the workplace
• assist trade unions to develop policies and action plans to address discrimination against LGBTI people in the labour market and workplace
• strengthen collaboration and solidarity between the LGBTI and trade union movements so that we can collectively tackle the issues of hate crimes, discrimination and homophobia.

The workshop will be take place on 11-12 April at the GALA office: Level 7, University Corner, University of the Witwatersrand, 11-17 Jorrisen Street, Braamfontein.

For more information or to reserve your place, please contact Anilla Soma at LRS on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0214471677. RSVPs must be received by 8 April.
Click here to view the Invitation

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The February 2013 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

BARGAINING AGREEMENTS CATALOGUE

ORGANIZING DOMESTIC WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA (SADSAWU)

The story of domestic workers building a union, SADSAWU, in South Africa and how they struggle for their rights and social protection to improve their conditions.

Click here to view the link to the Youtube video

ITUC LABOUR RIGHTS FOR WOMEN CAMPAIGN PRESS RELEASE STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 08 MARCH 2013

DURBAN LABOUR RIGHTS FOR WOMEN TEAM ON MATERNITY PROTECTION

Nosipho Twala of LRS interviewed the Durban Labour Rights Team on the Social Protection, Maternal benefits and challenges that exist in the workplace.

The group talks about the challenges faced, especially young women, and raise possible alternatives to ensuring and securing maternity benefits that need to be put in place for young women in the workplace.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The January 2013 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The December 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

Snapshot of the Wage Settlements in 2012

Updated January - December 2012

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The November 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

International Domestic Workers Network Africa and Global Network Africa Joint Declaration9 December 2012, Cape Town 

 Durban DFL launches book

The Decisions for Life Durban team hosted their Launch of the "Sharing our Stories and Strategies" Book on the 08th December 2012.

International Domestic Workers Network and Global Network Africa Joint Conference

The Labour Research Service and the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union jointly hosted an Regional Conference for the members of their two Networks' African member organisations, namely the IDWN and Global Network.

The Conference theme was The Future of the ILO convention on DOmestic Workers (C189); Decent Work and Social Protection for All - Sustainable, Democratic, Mass-Based Domestic Workers' Union.

Some of the partners that were represented included ITUC Africa, WIEGO, Social Law Project, COSATU, the Solidarity Center, ARLN and Masabelane UCT.

Cape Town DFL Launches Book

 Organizing Globally, Organizing Locally

The Labour Research Service hosted a trade union forum that was designed to stimulate strategic thinking and action for organising vulnerable workers.

The theme of the forum was vulnerable workers. The forum discussed experiences and needs of global and national unions for organising those workers that are difficult to organise. It also discussed what resources are available to unions. The forum discussed the focus areas of unions and what is required to support the goals that unions have identified.

The forum made the link between organising and representation. It discussed what resources and support are available and what resources and support measures are needed, what initiatives exist and what initiatives we can draw on in renewing established approaches to organising and developing new strategies for organisation and representation.

Johannesburg DFL Launches Book

 LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

 The October 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Clicks here to view it on the LRS website  or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

A FARM WORKERS WAGES

R150 is not enough but it is a good place to start!

SHARING OUR STORIES AND STRATEGIES

Our Decisions for Life (DFL) Trade Union Campaign has been running since the middle of 2009 and since the start of the campaign we have had many exciting experiences. Together we have engaged in innovative education, organising and recruitment strategies. We would like to share our experience of building the DFL Campaign in South Africa with other young women and trade union activists concerned with making the trade union a home for young women.

At the end of July 2012 through the support of the Canadian Auto Workers Social Justice Fund a few representatives from different unions in three of the DFL Campaign Teams had a very special opportunity to spend three days quietly reflecting on the work we have done and what we have achieved. This reflection helped us to both value our own contributions as well as share our many experiences and lessons with others.
Throughout the DFL Campaign we have used the powerful tool of writing to assist us with analysis and reflection and during the three day writing workshop in July we produced the short pieces of writing in this book.

 THE DECISIONS FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON BREASTFEEDING IN THE WORKPLACE
Decisions for Life is a national and international campaign aimed at young women in the workplace. The Decisions for Life campaign empowers young women as they face challenges in their work and at home.

In our campaign activities many young mothers speak about the challenges they face in trying to continue breastfeeding when they return to work. Very few companies have breastfeeding facilities available and young working mothers often face discrimination and harassment when they try to continue breastfeeding their young babies.

This Decisions for Life Booklet on focuses on breastfeeding in the workplace. Young working mothers speak about their experiences and as the campaign we highlight ways we can protect our right to breastfeed in the workplace.

 LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The September 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The August 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

Lekgotla's - HOSPERSA's Journey to Strengthening equality in the Union, Workplace and Community

Over the past few years the Labour Research Service has been interested in finding, recording, assisting with and showcasing examples of trade union best practice that focus on issues of equality – particularly the impact of unequal gender relations. In our HIV work we have seen how unequal gender relations fuels the HIV epidemic and in our more  general trade union work we see how the sexual division of labour devalues reproductive or “care work” and how young workers are faced with increasing forms of precarious work.

When HOSPERSA invited us to assist with facilitating their National Lekgotla in 2010 we were excited by the unions focus on “getting voices from below into a dialogue” – a dialogue to strengthen issues of equality. Faced with incredible challenges in the health sector, the Lekgotla participants took an open and honest approach to critically assessing themselves as health workers – their strengths and weaknesses as well as the broader challenge of working in a sector that is severely under resourced and devalued. Central to the dialogue was finding ways of strengthening the relationship between health workers and the community as a means of addressing the crisis in the health sector.

The Lekgotla approach was then taken forward into the provinces and as the LRS we had the privilege of observing, recording and assisting with the 8 provincial Lekgotla’s. Through the open dialogue we not only learnt a great deal about the challenges facing health workers – but were incredibly inspired by their commitment, energy and creativity in finding solutions. From this experience we believe that the Lekgotla as a methodology allows for honest reflection and participatory planning and as the LRS we have a role in sharing our experience of the Lekgotla methodology with other trade unions.

Click here to download the Publication

 The Living Wage Campaign after Marikana

The LRS will be hosting a discussion on the Living Wage Campaign after Marikana.

Date: 27 September 2012

Time: 14h00 - 15h30

Venue: Immam Haron Hall, Community House, 41 Salt River Road, Salt River

Speakers:

Steven Friedman ,Centre for the Study of Democracy

Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Provincial Secretary

This discussion is part of a broader programme of activities being coordinated by Community House - A Living Labour & Community Heritage Site. Click here to download programme.

  LRS Bargaining Monitor - The Living Wage Edition OUT NOW!

•  The Living Wage Campaign Now
• The Top 20 Minimum Wages
• The Bottom 20 Minimum Wages
• The Living Wage Campaign Then
• Directors' Fees and the Living Wage Gap
• The Top 5 CEO Remuneration
• The Top 5 CEO Bonus Pay-outs
• The Top 5 CEO LTI Pay-outs

 Click here to download

LRS hosts its 25th Annual General Meeting

The Labour Research Service hosted its 25th Annual General Meeting on the 31 August 2012. LRS gladly notes that the membership of our member unions has increased from 1.8mil in 2011 up to 2,023 678 in 2012.

The newly elected members to serve on the LRS Board of Directors are Clement Chitja (Ceppwawu); Guy Slingsby (Nehawu); Bhekani Ngcobo (Num); Joseph Molusi (Numsa); Kashiefa Achmat (Saccawu); Nadeema Syms (Satawu).

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The July 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

A MINEWORKER'S WAGE

A Mineworker's Wage: The only argument against the R12 500 is greed. This paper was written by Michelle Taal, Saliem Patel and Trenton Elsley of the LRS to look at the Mineworker's Wage.

Click here to read the article.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The June 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LRS and Gender at Work equal Transforming Power

“Transforming Power a Knotted Rope” is a joint publication of Gender at Work and the Labour Research Service. In this book the authors are all leading members of women led community and workplace organisations. A team of facilitators assisted the authors from the 5 organisations to share insights and perspectives about their struggle for organisational change to enhance gender equality. Their writing makes visible and legitimate examples of good practice.

Click here to download 

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

 The May 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

Second meeting of the Pick n Pay Shop Steward Alliance meets in Johannesburg

The second meeting of the Pick n Pay Shop Steward Alliance in Johannesburg brought together shop stewards and organisers from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius,
and Malawi to further the plans and strategies in the fight for decent work at Pick n Pay.

The LRS presentation, updating the group on what has been happening in the company over the last year and what strategies are being employed going forward, supports these plans by grounding them in a knowledge of the company in which the unions are organising.

See presentation

LRS participates in the launch of the Africa Shop Steward Alliance meeting for Massmart Walmart

On 19 – 20 June 2012, the LRS participated in the launch of the Massmart Walmart Africa Shop Steward Alliance meeting in Johannesburg.

The meeting, supported by UNI Africa and the FES,  brought together Shop Stewards working and organising in Massmart Walmart operations from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia to discuss strategies and challenges of organising in the global retail giant. The LRS presentation highlighted the performance and strategies of the company in Africa in order to support the alliance in their organising and campaigning.

See presentation

SADSAWU celebrates National Youth Day and International Domestic Workers Day on 16 June 2012

June 16th 2012, marked the 36th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre in 1976, as well as a year since the 100th International Labour Conference in Geneva Switzerland, where the world’s governments, workers and employers voted yes to the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 189. SADSAWU brought together almost 50 domestic workers to celebrate the International Domestic Workers Day.

The event was organized to celebrate the victory but also, as was being discussed during the day, continue the work and demand for a ratification of convention 189 so that it can be implemented. The LRS and the Decisions for Life Cape Town team were part of the celebrations. There was a line of speakers and DFL had setup a stall for display.

Wage Settlements in 2012

The latest Snapshop of Wage Settlements in 2012 is available. It has been updated for January-April 2012.

Click here to see Snapshop

Durban Strategic Bargaining Forum

On the 1st June, the LRS hosted its first Durban Strategic Bargaining Forum. 7 member unions were represented in the Forum, to discuss and explore how the LRS can assist our members with their collective bargaining information, education and research needs. The unions were Ceppwawu, Denosa, Fawu, Imatu, Mewusa, Nehawu and Saccawu.

LRS hosts Durban Negotiators' Workshop

On 30-31 May, the LRS hosted it's first Durban Negotiators' Workshop, at the Diakonia Centre. The workshop was attended by almost 50 delegates that represented 11 trade unions (Bcawu, Ceppwawu, Cwu, Denosa, Hospersa, Imatu, Num, Saccawu, Sadtu, Satawu, Thor and Towu.

The gender balance was 70% females and 30 % males, with a high representation of young women and men from the Decisions for Life Trade Union Campaign. The workshop was vibrant with energy levels that were highly maintained throughout the two days.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The April 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LRS hosts Western Cape Negotiators' Workshop

The LRS held the Western Cape Negotiators' workshop on the 8-9 May 2012. The workshop was attended by 7 trade unions, namely Ceppwawu, Nehawu, Num, Sadtu, Sasbo, Satawu and TOWU. There were young women from the Decisionf for Life Trade Union Campaign.

LRS meets African Sister organisations

From 7 - 10 May,The LRS research team meets with sister organisations from Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to discuss research information and education for strategic collective bargaining in Africa.

Community House now a Living Labour and Community Heritage site.

On 3 May 2012, the Community House was declared a Living Labour and Community Heritage site. The LRS sits on the board of the Community House.

See press statement

LRS side by side Decisions for Life (DFL) at COSATU May Day Rally

The LRS assisted with the DFL table at the COSATU May Day Rally. The Decisions for Life Trade Union Campaign is raising the importance of the employment contract for vulnearble workers.

See the model contract developed by DFL

Michelle Taal of LRS presents at the Africa Gufs Forum

On 24-26 April 2012, the LRS participated in the annual African Global Union Forum in Johannesburg. The presentation highlighted the benfits of communication and information sharing for organising and campaigning between union affiliates and global unions within and across sectors.

See Presentation

Saliem Patel speaks at the Cosatu western Cape Shop Steward Council

LRS presentation on the 17 April 2012 to the Cosatu Western Cape Shop Steward Council on the importance of linking collective bargaining to union campaigns and organising and inviting unions to make use of the LRS information, education and research resources for successful bargaining outcomes. See presentation

LRS makes a presentation to BWI in Cape Town

The LRS made a presentation to BWI (Africa and Middle East Region) on the Role of GUFS in linking The Decent Work and Living Wage Campaigns with Collective Bargaining.

click here for the presentation

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The January 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

Decisions for Life Cape Town Planning Meeting

The LRS hosted the Decisions for Life Coffee Evening, held on the 22 March 2012. The organisations, trade unions and federations that were present included LRS, Sadsawu, Saccawu, My Wage, Num, Fedusa, Sasbo, Fawu, Towu.

The Coffee evening meeting proved to be a success as the new members seem to be influential and self-driven union members within their own constituencies.

UNI Shoprite Shop Stewards Alliance Meeting 2012

The LRS attended the UNI Shoprite Shopstewards Alliance Meeting held on 20-23 March 2012, in Cape Town. Michelle Taal made a presentation with a focus on the company report and preparing for social dialogue.

Collective Bargaining and the Decent Work Agenda

The LRS made a presentation at the UNI Shoprite Shopstewards Alliance Meeting on the 22 March 2012.

LRS Bargaining Indicators 2011-2012

The LRS attended the FEDUSA Collective Bargaining Conference held on 28-29 February 2012 in Johannesburg. The workshop included presentations and discussion around proposed labour market amendments and the challenges facing bargaining councils and collective bargaining in 2012.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The January 2012 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The December Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The November Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The October Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The September Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

Bargaining Monitor - October : The Wholesale and Retail Edition is OUT NOW!

The latest LRS Bargaining Monitor is now AVAILABLE. This Edition of the publication focuses on the Wholesale and Retail Sector. It features an overview on the industry, the directors' fees survey 2010-2011 and many more.

Click here to download

LRS hosts a Negotiators' Workshop for its Member Unions: 20 & 21 October 2011

The LRS in association with DITSELA will be hosting a Negotiators Workshop for its member unions. The workshop aims to target women who are shop stewards.The theme will be on Collective Bargaining - Preparing for 2012 Now!

The workshop participants will come away with an improved ability to formulate and motivate demand; an improved understanding of strategic approaches to collective bargaining and are able to make the link between bargaining and organising; an improved ability to assess collective bargaining for its contribution to gender equity and equality and are able to formulate strategies for advancing these goals in the union and workplace.

Click here to view the Programme of the workshop.

A report on the LRS Annual HIV and AIDS Workshop held on the 13th Sept 2011

On the 13th Sept 2011, the LRS facilitated an HIV and AIDS workshop with 29 representatives from 13 trade unions (CEPPWAWU. CONSAWU, COSATU, HOSPERSA, IMATU, NEHAWU, NUM, NUMSA, POPCRU, SACCAWU, SACTWU, TOWU, UASA and UTATU), across the 4 federations and 1 vising trade union from Sweden.The unions shared innovative practices on their responses to the National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS in the Workplace.

Click here to download the report of this woprkshop

LATEST INFLATION MONITOR OUT NOW!

The August 2011 Inflation Monitor is OUT NOW! with the latest Inflation Statistics. Click here to view it on the LRS website or visit the LRS MOBI site (www.lrs.org.za/mobi) to access the latest stats on your phone.

A report on the Decisions For Life Durban Wellness Day held on the 20th August 2011

On the 20th August 2011, the DFL Durban Team hosted a Wellness DAy for young employed and unemployed women, at the Diakonia Centre in Durban. 8 Trade Unions and Federations participated in the event adn they were CEPPWAWU, CONSAWU, CWU, NUMSA, NUPSWA, SACCAWU, SACTWU and SAMWU.

Click here to download the report

Invitation to all Trade Unions to participate in an LRS Workshop: Labour engaging with the National Strategic Plan for HIV and Aids, STI's and TB (2012-2016) DRAFT ZERO

Friday 30 September 2011 (9.00 - 15.00)
Elijah Barayi Memorial Training Centre

On 13 September 2011 representatives from 14 trade unions across the 4 federations participated in the annual LRS HIV and Aids workshop, held in Cape Town. The workshop focused on providing unions with a facilitated space to share innovative HIV and Aids prevention and treatment strategies. A report of this workshop will be circulated to trade unions before the end of September.

One of the key challenges emerging from this workshop is labour's limited engagement with both the 2007 - 2011 NSP as well as with the existing process of drafting the new 2012-2016 NSP.

As the LRS, we would like to invite your union to a follow up workshop on 30 September 2011in Johannesburg, where we will engage with some of the key features of the new NSP draft (Draft Zero) and its relevance for labour. We will also through a process of facilitated sharing of experiences highlight key recommendations for the NSP (2012-2016).

If your union would like to participate in the workshop please confirm your attendance by Monday 26 September. You can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 021 4471677/ 072 5631816

13 Sept 2011

LRS invites Trade Unions to send their Gender & HIV/AIDS Coordinators to Participate in the LRS Annual HIV & AIDS Workshop

Over the past 3 years our annual HIV & AIDS workshop has focused on assisting trade unions to engage more effectively with the National HIV&AIDS Strategic Plan. In 2010 we had a particular focus on Goal 2 of the NSP, reducing the sexual transmission of HIV.

This year the LRS HIV&AIDS workshop will take place at Community House in Cape Town. Our focus this year is to open a space where we can discuss union led HIV prevention strategies that are working and that will assist us as we prepare to take up the 2012 - 2016 NSP.

Two unions, SACTWU who is involved in innovative approacheds to addressing teh HIV epidemic in the workplace and HOSPERSA who are creating "dialogue spaces" as part of their prevention strategy, will share their insights and learning with us.

Your union is invited to engage the lead presenters but also to share any innovative HIV prevention strategies your union might be involved in.

If you would like to participate in the workshop please contact

Nina Benjamin (Programme Coordinator)

LRS at 084 322 3313 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Decisions for Life Trade Union Campaign (Cape Town) invites you to its Young Women's Market Day. This will be a networking space where different organisations will be giving talks and have marketing display stalls on youth skills development, education, job creation, etc. more specifically on what they do to assist young women to progress in their personal and professional lives. Young women will also be discussing and sharing their experiences

It will take place on the 10th September 2011 starting at 10h00am at the Elijah Loza Hall in Community House, 41 Salt River Road in Cape Town.

Domestic Workers Summit makes history

The Domestic Workers Summit hosted by the ILO and COSATU and attended by other federations FEDUSA and NACTU on the 27-28 August was seen as an historic event by SADSAWU, the domestic workers union.

"What a splendid way to end Women's Month", said Myrtle Witbooi, the General Secretary of SADSAWU, "it shows that the labour movement is prepared to unite behind and struggle for the cause of domestic workers".

The first challenge is for South Africa to ratify the ILO Convention 189 which stipulates basic rights for domestic workers in South Africa and all over the world. The political commitment to ratify the convention was expressed by Mildred Olifant, the MInister of Labour, and Virgil Seafield, from the department of labour.

Saliem Patel, director of the LRS said that while 1 out of every 15 employed persons is a domestic worker, the earnings of the 887 000 domestic workers, remain less than half of the average minimum wage in South Africa and was less than 1% of what was spent by households in the first quarter of 2011. (see Saliem Patel powerpoint presentation).

SADSAWU (South African Domestic Services and Allied Workers Union) makes a submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour held a seminar on the 2nd August 2011 regarding the International Labour Organisations (ILO) convention on Domestic Workers that was adopted on the 16th June 2011.

The Department of Labour said "Yes, South Africa can ratify the convention" given the legislation we already have in place. The South African Domestic Services and Allied Workers Union (SADSWU) agreed that South Africa can and must ratify Convention 189 of the ILO but there needs to be a process to ensure that what is on paper becomes a reality for domestic workers. (see SADSAWU submission to the parliamentary portfolio committee).

LRS makes a submission to the Portfolio Committee on Economic Develoment on the WALMART/MASSMART Merger in July 2011.

Today (21 July 2011), the LRS made written and oral submissions to the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development the WALMART / MASSMART merger. This follows the witness statement on the merger to the Competition Tribunal.

To access the relevant documents, click on the links below:

LRS Massmatt public hearings oral submission

LRS Massmart public hearings written submission

LRS Press comment on the Massmart merger June 2011

LRS submission to CT on Massmart 2011

The Decisions for Life Trade Union Campaign (Durban) will be having a Wellness Day for Young Working Women where young women workers will come together to discuss the importance of taking greater care of their health and wellness. There will be onsite testing for HIV/AIDS, high blood, fitness and cholesterol, you can also expect to get somer professional advice on nutrition and diet.

This event will be held on the 20 August 2011 at 09h30am, at the Diakonia Centre, 20 Diakonia Avenue in Durban

The Decisions for Life Trade Union Campagin (DFL Cape Town) will be having its Campaign Coordinating Meeting at the LRS temporary office (Community House Cottage, 41 Salt River Road, Salt River) at 17h00pm.

DFL works with young working women and young women seeking employment. The aim of the campaign is to empower young women to make informed desicions about their working conditions, career choices, study options, personal and family lives.

To get involved please contact the Labour Research Service:

Nina Benjamin ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0843223313) and Nosipho Twala ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0721531779) if you are in Johannesburg, durban and Limpopo

Anilla Soma ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0214471677) if you are in Cape Town

The Decisions for Life Campaign will be having an International Young Women's Conference on the 9-11 May 2011 in De Burcht, Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

The Conference is dedicated to Tabisa Sigaba of the South African Decisions for Life team, a young woman who passed away suddenly because of a tragic accident. She proposed, in order to move forward the Decisions for Life Campaign, to organise an International Conference with young women.

click here to download the Programme.

The Bargaining Monitor Volume 25 No. 175 May 2011 publication is OUT NOW! Young Women Opening Doors and Creating Spaces!

Labour Research Service (LRS) reflects on participating in the Decisions for Life Trade Union Campaign, the lessons learnt and future challenges in organising young women into the trade union movement.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) was released on the 03 May 2011 by Statistics South Africa.

The survey indicates the labour force increased by 213 000 between Q4:2010 and Q1:2011. The Key Labour Market Table shows that unemployment decreased by 14 000 between Q4:2010 and Q1:2011, with the formal sector gaining 56 000 adn informal sector losing 46 000 jobs respectively; while Agriculture lost 24000, and employment in Private households remained virtually unchanged.

Reflected is the number of unemployed persons increased by 227 000 between Q4:2010 and Q1:2011, while the number of discouraged work-seekers increased by 73 000 in the same period. The unemployment rate increased by 1,0 percentage point between Q4:2010 (24,0%) and Q1:2011 (25,0%).

Click here to download the latest report.ic workers

The Regional Meeting for Decent Work, Decent Life for Domestic Workers was held in Johannesburg, 28-29 April 2011.

12-13 April 2011

LRS and Ditsela jointly hosted a Bargaining Conference for the Western Cape, the first of its kind. The two-day Conference was held in the Red Room at the University of the Western Cape on the 12 - 13 April 2011, with the theme "A decent Wage for All".

There were more than 50 participants that attended on both days. They represented trade unions and NGOs from the sectors of small-scale farmers, the fishing community, retail, furniture, clothing and textiles, transport, health, municipal, hospitality, food and beverages, communications, printing, manufacturing, the public sector, building and construction, as well as the petroleum sector.

The first day of the proceedings included presentations on the Current Economic Indicators and Trends (Saliem Patel), the Wage Indicators (Trenton Elsley) and Company Performance (Michelle Taal). There were some practical exercises on calculating the inflation and company profits, the wage gap between minimum wage workers and directors. As much as the exercises were challenging at times, the participants found them useful and in the end they left having gained some practical calculation skills.

The second day's proceedings kicked off with the evaluation from the previous day's work. This was followed by a panel discussion on the public sector wage negotiations. Four participants from the different public sector unions (PAWUSA, SADTU, POPCRU, and NEHAWU) took on the role play to be the panel and the session was quite detailed, interesting and engaged the whole conference. A presentation on the legal framework related to strikes was made by Professor Darcy Du Toit from the Social-Law Project at UWC. A commissioner from the CCMA followed with an intriguing presentation which was constructive criticism and pointers for the trade unions on the DOs and DONTs when going for negotiations.

The afternoon covered in-depth group discussions on how to link bargaining to Union Campaigns and the participants had an opportunity to identify their educations needs as groups representing the different sectors. A collective report back was facilitated by Grischelda with a way forward and an evaluation of the conference.

The presentations from the workshop are available for download:

Economic Indicators (Saliem Patel)

Bargaining Indicators for 2011 (Trenton Elsley)

Company Performance (Michelle Taal)