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2 weeks ago
Guide to retrenchment law and processes
Understanding retrenchment law is a base upon which worker leaders can build strategies for saving jobs and supporting workers when retrenchments are unavoidable.
Category: Articles
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3 weeks ago
Six bargaining strategies for the future
Trade unions are not powerless when it comes to influencing the future of work and shaping the reality of work.
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3 weeks ago
Workers’ Day 2022: In praise of worker leaders in South Africa and beyond
On this Workers’ Day, the Labour Research Service praises elected worker leaders and give a voice to these courageous comrades by sharing their stories of being a worker leader.
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4 weeks ago
What is happening with inflation, and what does it mean for wage negotiations?
The trade union negotiator’s checklist for dealing with inflation in wage increases.
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1 month ago
The essentials of collective bargaining in South Africa
The collective bargaining process comprises four main parts: preparation, negotiation, agreement and implementation. Know the steps to follow in each part of the process.
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1 month ago
2021 wage bargaining review
This report describes wage outcomes in 2021 found in collective agreements collected by the Labour Research Service. The report aims to inform strategy development in trade unions.
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1 month ago
Three steps to take and save jobs before the start of a retrenchment process
Trade unions can intervene and try to tackle problems in companies before a Section 189 notice is issued.
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2 months ago
What you need to know about negotiating better conditions at work
A framework for negotiating conditions at work, no matter where the workplace is located, no matter what the status of workers, and no matter how unorganised workers are.
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2 months ago
Five workplace problem scenarios and the labour laws to use
From retrenchment and unfair dismissal to discrimination and a company that makes unilateral changes to the terms and conditions of employment of workers, which labour laws for which problems?
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2 months ago
How unions can support workers facing retrenchment
A trade union checklist if retrenchments seem unavoidable.
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2 months ago
The implications of the Continental Free Trade Agreement for Africa’s development and the working class
Some key messages have emerged from our work with the trade union movement in Africa as it seeks to adopt strategies that promote developmental outcomes of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
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2 months ago
How to improve your power at the bargaining table and win favourable agreements
The process of negotiations forms the central part of collective bargaining. Here are the essential steps to follow.
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2 months ago
Eight ways to build coalitions and make solidarity work in trade unions
Diverse coalitions hold great potential to further collective bargaining in a changing workplace. Learn the strategies for building successful alliances.
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3 months ago
How to approach the equity bargaining process
Collective bargaining can promote equity in the workplace and address the entrenched misconceptions about the role of women workers. Here’s how the trade union negotiator should approach the equity bargaining process.
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3 months ago
National minimum wage: Domestic workers reached equalisation. Now what?
This month domestic workers earned the national minimum wage after a long struggle for equalisation. “What we now need is enough follow-through,” says Pinky Mashiane, Founder and United Domestic Workers of South Africa. Read more…
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3 months ago
How to build a wage demand and calculate percentages and money amounts
This wage bargaining guide is for negotiators in all kinds of bargaining environments.
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3 months ago
11 steps you should take to prepare for wage bargaining
There are certain key steps to take when preparing for wage bargaining. From gathering information to developing positions to take into negotiations, learn how the effective negotiator approaches wage bargaining.
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3 months ago
Recruitment vs. Organising: What’s the difference?
The difference between recruitment and organising comes down to what a worker is likely to think about, feel and do. Learn more about the differences.
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3 months ago
MNC Trends Report | 2021
Trade unions use our company research to improve their strategies for bargaining, alliance building and campaigns. The 2021 Multinational Corporations (MNC) Trends report attempts to make sense of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in twelve key sectors of the economy.
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3 months ago
Workplace rights belong to everyone
A step-by-step guide to negotiating for inclusivity and against discrimination in the trade union and the workplace.
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3 months ago
The Negotiator’s Guide – A guide to negotiating in a changing workplace
The LRS Negotiator’s Guide provides strategies to inspire, organise and represent workers.
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4 months ago
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: Sector and company performance
Our analysis of the revenue, profits and executive pay in JSE-listed companies provides trade unions with information to improve their strategies for bargaining, alliance building and campaigns.
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4 months ago
The labour laws every worker representative in South Africa should know
An effective shop steward can identify key labour laws to support the union’s bargaining and organising activities.
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4 months ago
A trade union guide to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
What you will learn: why unions should be concerned about the AfCFTA; how to identify and advocate for proper labour provisions in trade agreements; and what it will take to create decent work within the AfCFTA.
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5 months ago
Bargaining Benchmarks | December 2021
Five bargaining benchmarks every trade union negotiator should know. The benchmarks will help you to enter bargaining processes as an informed role player.
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6 months ago
Five trade union demands for mainstreaming gender in trade agreements
More action is needed to achieve equity, equality, non-discrimination and women empowerment in trade agreements. Here are five trade union demands for mainstreaming gender in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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6 months ago
What will it take to create a successful national response to GBV in South Africa?
The recent crime statistics released by the South African Police Service show Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is devastatingly pervasive. Lindelwe Nxumalo, Women’s Rights Programme Manager at ActionAid, offers some actions for ensuring a successful national response to GBV.
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6 months ago
We need more resources and collaboration to tackle GBV
Nontyatyambo Makapela, Programme Officer at Sister Love International South Africa, reflects on how GBV is a barrier to women’s full participation in the economy and the need for building resilient and sustainable support organisations.
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6 months ago
Ten trade union arguments for a just energy transition in Africa
A just transition involves climate action that provides decent jobs and less hardship for workers and their communities.
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6 months ago
How to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace
Sexual harassment in the workplace is manifesting in more subtle forms. Know more and protect your rights as a worker.
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6 months ago
Addressing gender-based violence in the workplace
When stakeholders act collectively, it is possible to transform the norms, policies and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence in the workplace.
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6 months ago
Retail sector report 2021
This report provides trade unions with strategic research that will improve their bargaining with big retail companies. Find simplified financial information on the company. Know how much the CEO earned. Compare profits. Know the impact of Covid-19.
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6 months ago
Seven steps to ensure decent work in trade agreements
The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement does not include labour provisions or references to the creation of decent work. Here’s how trade unions can argue for inclusion.
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6 months ago
Using labour laws in union bargaining: 12 possible workplace scenarios
Effective shop stewards use labour laws as a tool for organising.
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6 months ago
The LRS MNC database: Keeping multinational companies in Africa accountable
The LRS Multinational Corporations (MNC) database tracks over 80 JSE-listed companies operating in 14 sectors. Find simplified financial information of the company. Monitor profit across the sector. Know how much the CEO was paid.
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7 months ago
Workplace grievances: 10 steps to handle them effectively
A guide for shop stewards on how to solve workers’ complaints and maintain strong workplace unions.
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7 months ago
The world of work and Covid-19: Six important things to know
The impact of the pandemic on employment is worse than expected, says the International Labour Organisation in a new report.
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7 months ago
Bargaining at company level: A basic guide for shop stewards
Learn a step-by-step approach to successful bargaining at the company level. #goingbacktobasics
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8 months ago
Why what men think of women matters in addressing gender based violence
Focus on changing male thought patterns that drive gender-based violence and femicide to change violent behaviour towards females.
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8 months ago
A decent standard of living costs R7 911
The Decent Standard of Living measure offers us a fresh way of looking at the living wage. This measure defines what makes a decent standard of living and it is made of the perceptions of our people. This measure is based on a set of 34 socially perceived necessities for a decent life. If you have these things, you have a decent standard of living.
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8 months ago
Bargaining Benchmarks | September 2021
Our series of benchmarks will help trade union negotiators to enter into bargaining processes as informed role players.
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9 months ago
Towards a partnership of equals: Lessons learned in transnational solidarity
The keystone to international solidarity is crafting a concerted response to the power relationship which invariably underlies all acts of solidarity.
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9 months ago
Are we ready for platform co-operatives in South Africa?
Can worker-owned co-operatives get a grip on the digital economy and contribute to helping our communities end their socio-economic struggles?
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9 months ago
Organising and empowering young women workers
Our range of resources address the key workplace issues for young women workers and are useful for the union that wants to tap into the creativity and energy that empowered young women members can bring to the organisation.
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9 months ago
Effective information management in trade unions: Four possible measures to try
Unions can benefit from a more conscious approach to managing collective bargaining agreements information.
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9 months ago
Bargaining with a gender equity lens – A resource for trade union facilitators and trainers
Our facilitation exercise will strengthen the ability of workshop participants to understand concepts and have the confidence to bargain with a gender equity lens. Get your copy.
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10 months ago
The economic cost of sexual harassment in the workplace
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Johan Botes of Baker McKenzie explores the findings of a new report highlighting the economic costs of sexual harassment and suggests ways in which the situation could be changed.
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10 months ago
Value chain analysis as a tool for renewing trade union organising and bargaining strategies
Effective trade unions act at the local, sectoral and global levels. Learn the four elements to value chain mapping.
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10 months ago
How I deal with the pain of others
As an educator and facilitator in the Gender Equality Programme of Labour Research Service, I am exposed to human trauma often. Here’s my advice on how to be more resilient.
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11 months ago
Bargaining Monitor – Wage outcomes in the past six months
Despite the state of the economy and the Covid-19 health crisis, unions have managed to negotiate above-inflation wage increases.
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11 months ago
Resources for union facilitators and trainers
It’s proven that exercises and games activate our senses and increase creative learning of new concepts and understanding of ideas. Our collection of facilitation exercises will help trainers involved in participatory education activities for workers.
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11 months ago
10 key findings from the 2021 Global Rights Index
Abuses of the right to strike, the right to establish and join a trade union, the right to trade union activities and civil liberties and the right to free speech and assembly are at an eight-year high, according to the ITUC’s annual Global Rights Index.
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11 months ago
Health and safety training manual for union educators
This training manual can be used to support shop stewards in ensuring safety at the workplace during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
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11 months ago
Everything you need to know about strikes
Produced by Workers’ World Media Productions, this booklet is the complete guide to winning strikes. You’ll learn the strike laws and rights, tactics for strike organisers and anticipating the responses of bosses.
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The future of retail in Zambia – How are workers affected by technological changes?
Vasco Mainza, Regional Chairperson of the National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers says the union is particularly alarmed by the increasing uptake of flexible work in retail.
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11 months ago
Bargaining with South African multinational companies – Shoprite Checkers
INFOGRAPHIC: A quick recap of Shoprite’s finances 2020 and going into 2021.
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12 months ago
Trade union collective bargaining strategies for 2021
The LRS trade union collective bargaining strategy input looks at the minimum wage and settlement trends; the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and collective bargaining; the 2021 bargaining round; and bargaining for the future.
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12 months ago
Pride at Work
A study on discrimination at work on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in South Africa. #PrideMonth
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12 months ago
Worker rights: Wages and conditions of employment
A shop steward’s guide to finding out who is covered by bargaining council agreements, sectoral determinations and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
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12 months ago
The future of retail in Kenya – How are retail workers affected by technological changes?
Mike Oranga, Assistant Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Commercial, Food and Allied Workers (KUCFAW) says more workers are employed as “flexi-timers” and may struggle to adapt to new technologies.
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1 year ago
Resources for trade union facilitators and trainers
Access our collection of facilitation exercises suitable for use by worker organisations involved in participatory education activities.
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1 year ago
Wage calculator – New LRS online tool for workers
Our new wage calculator will tell you how much a percentage increase is an amount of money and help you understand the effect of inflation on the wage increase.
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1 year ago
Organising strategies: Using a global framework agreement to organise Shoprite workers
Can a global framework agreement help a union to organise? For Swaziland Commercial and Allied Workers Union, the answer is a resounding yes.
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1 year ago
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies
Trade union bargaining strategies in South African multinational companies: A review of revenue, profits and directors’ fees in the transport sector.
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1 year ago
The future of retail in South Africa
How are retail workers in South Africa affected by technological changes? Read our interview with Joyfull Mnguni of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), and know the possible trade union responses to these challenges.
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1 year ago
Basic guide to unfair labour practices
Identifying unfair labour practices – a quick recap of Section 185 of the Labour Relations Act.
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1 year ago
The right way to handle retrenchments
It’s crunch time for trade unions as more workers face retrenchments by companies navigating the impact of the covid-19 pandemic. Here’s a recap of section 189 of the LRA to get you up to speed.
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1 year ago
Bargaining Benchmarks – Directors’ Fees Edition
Our latest Directors’ Fees Report delves into the remuneration of directors in 78 South African Multinational Corporations and confirms what we’ve always known: that there’s an astronomical gap between the pay of bosses and workers.
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1 year ago
A facilitator’s reflection on old methods and new lessons for ending school-related gender-based violence in Africa
Nina Benjamin, LRS Gender Equality Programme Leader, takes stock of her role supporting teacher trade unions in sub-Saharan Africa to create safe schools.
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1 year ago
The possible discriminatory consequences of a mandatory workplace covid-19 vaccination policy
The possible discriminatory consequences of a mandatory covid-19 vaccination policy at the workplace.
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1 year ago
Building diversity and inclusion in trade unions and the workplace
What do we need to create safe and inclusive trade unions and workplaces free of homophobia? Trade union activists who have consciousness, passion, knowledge and skills to advocate for the rights of workers who are LGBT+.
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1 year ago
How to negotiate with employers during difficult times
The company you’re bargaining with is in a genuine crisis and can’t afford any salary increases. What should be in your counter-proposal?
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1 year ago
Bargaining Benchmarks | March 2021
Our series of benchmarks will help trade union negotiators to enter into bargaining processes as informed role players.
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1 year ago
Questions and answers about the national minimum wage review – An interview with Trenton Elsely, Commissioner, National Minimum Wage Commission
“The minimum wage is a victory for ultra-low wage workers. We have an established floor where there was none before, and we can raise that floor and ensure that no worker is left behind,” says Trenton Elsely, Commissioner, National Minimum Wage Commission.
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1 year ago
8 labour market trends for trade unions to watch in 2021
Some of the key areas trade unions can direct their energy and resources in 2021.
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1 year ago
The Future of Work: Covid-19 Edition
The covid-19 pandemic fast-tracked some of the predicted changes in the world of work. Learn what the changes may mean for workers in African multinational companies.
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1 year ago
The new national minimum wage for South Africa is R21.69 per hour
The new minimum wage is R21.69 per hour, an increase of 4.5%. The minimum wage for domestic workers is still below the national wage at R19.09.
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1 year ago
How teacher unions can prevent violence in schools in Africa
This document draws on the experience of nine education trade unions that want to end school-related gender-based violence in their contexts.
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1 year ago
Future of Work: How should we respond?
Some basic principles for unions to follow as they anticipate the impact of the changing nature of work on organising and bargaining.
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1 year ago
How to become an effective shop steward during the covid-19 crisis
The new workplace issues presented by the covid-19 pandemic require shop stewards to be proficient with the guidelines and direction for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
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1 year ago
Behavioural change in the workplace: Health and safety training manual for trade union educators
This training manual is for educators in unions to use as a guide for training and supporting shop stewards on staying safe in workplaces during Covid-19 and beyond.
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1 year ago
Covid-19 support measures for workers in South Africa
Business as usual for trade unions went out of the window in 2020. Unions had to alter how they delivered value to their members and recruited new ones.
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1 year ago
Online course: creating gender equality in the workplace
This online course designed by the LRS for the Online Learning Academy of International Federation of Workers’ Education Associations (IFWEA) is for activists who want to facilitate gender equality education programmes.
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2 years ago
The living wage is dead, Long live the living wage!
This one goes out to the trade unionists and anyone else who understands that what few gains the working class have made, they have made through struggle.
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2 years ago
A step by step approach to collective bargaining for gender equity
Learn a simple step by step approach to bargaining for gender equity in the workplace.
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2 years ago
A Guide to Winning Strikes
Trade unions in South Africa often use strikes to advance and defend the rights of their members. Learn how to plan an effective strike.
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2 years ago
Collective bargaining agreements during covid-19
Can trade unions continue to successfully negotiate protections for workers in uncertain times?
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2 years ago
7 feminist books to read during August Women’s month
Here’s a collection of my favourite books written by women workers, survivors of gender-based violence, school girls and community activists. The writers’ reflections are powerful and empowering.
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2 years ago
ILO Convention 190: a game-changer in ending violence and harassment in the world of work
Participants at FEDUSA’s webinar on gender-based violence urged the government to ratify ILO C190 against violence in the world of work.
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2 years ago
Women’s Month 2020: Putting care at the centre of the agenda
A conversation with Nina Benjamin, Leader of Gender Equality Programme at the Labour Research Service
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2 years ago
The value of labour after the pandemic
Bárbara Figueroa, president of Chile’s Central Union of Workers, argues for the need to reflect on and review our practices as a labour movement and as a species.
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2 years ago
Transformative women’s leadership in the time of covid-19
“The pandemic made us to explore alternative models of leadership that are not militaristic, patriarchal and undemocratic.” Crecentia Mofokeng, Regional Representative for Africa, Building and Wood Workers’ International
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2 years ago
What the pandemic reveals about women’s activism and feminism
President of Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Associations and StreetNet International, Lorraine Ndlovu, on how the covid-19 pandemic affected her activism. “We are rethinking our approach to women’s leadership development.”
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2 years ago
Amazon into Africa: Why you should care
Amazon announced it’d would hire 3000 people in South Africa to work ‘virtually’ in various roles. But what does this mean and why should you care?
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2 years ago
Education unions in Africa have strategies for dealing with school-related gender-based violence
It’s possible to transform the norms, policies and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence in our schools when stakeholders act collectively.
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2 years ago
Technology is a powerful determinant of change, but labour can shape its direction
The impact of new technology on the future of work in the automotive manufacturing industry – a case study of NUMSA’s work at Volkswagen Group, focusing on the role of the union in saving jobs.
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2 years ago
COVID-19: Implications for healthcare workers
Nurses on the front lines of the health care response to covid-19 pandemic have found themselves in a tricky position, making difficult decisions about their own lives and that of patients.
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2 years ago
Workers hit hard in level three lockdown
Both private and public sector workers continue to bear the brunt of the Covid-19 lockdown, despite eased restrictions and some industries opening.
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2 years ago
UIF covid-19 relief fund: Using the law to get wins for workers
Vulnerable workers in South Africa face destitution in the absence of a viable channel for individual applications to the UIF’s covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme.
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2 years ago
Covid-19: Concession process for teachers with comorbidities
Public education sector unions signed a collective agreement on the procedures to follow when dealing with teachers who are at a higher risk of complications if they contract Covid-19.
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