SA trade union federations call for tighter industrial policy across Africa
COSATU, FEDUSA, NACTU and SAFTU made the calls on the sidelines of the latest L20 meeting in the Western Cape as the country continues to host a series of G20 meetings.
- Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
- Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA)
- South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU)
FEDUSA’s general secretary, Riefdah Ajam, at the L20 meeting in the Western Cape on 29 July 2025. Picture: X/FEDUSAMedia
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s trade union federations have called for tighter industrial policy across Africa as the labour sector doubles down on efforts to get a better piece of the trade pie.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA), the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) made the calls on the sidelines of the latest L20 meeting in the Western Cape as the country continues to host a series of G20 meetings.
The four union federations used the gathering in George to deliberate on the African Continental Free Trade Area and its implications for workers across the continent.
As part of strengthening trade between African economies, the unions said informal cross-border traders should not be marginalised.
FEDUSA’s general secretary, Riefdah Ajam, said the upcoming review cycle provides a critical opportunity to push for binding labour protections and social clauses within the African Continental Free Trade Area to prevent social dumping, union-busting, and informalisation.
“Workers must be part of the conversations. Workers must shape the discussions and the outcomes. We cannot be there just as a mere participant, but as an active engager, in terms of how we shape the realities and the livelihoods for workers. We can no longer accept the terms that African workers are the exporters of wealth and importers of poverty.”