Why do clothing workers not protest against Sactwu?

Cosatu’s wrong focus

In the past few weeks we have had delegates from labour federation Cosatu fiercely opposing Walmart’s entry into the country despite the fact that the US firm would bring with it an investment of R16,5bn and create future jobs as the intention is to grow the businesses it is taking over.

In the past few weeks we have had delegates from labour federation Cosatu fiercely opposing Walmart’s entry into the country despite the fact that the US firm would bring with it an investment of R16,5bn and create future jobs as the intention is to grow the businesses it is taking over.

At the same time, the clothing and textile union, Sactwu, started an investigation into the disappearance of more than R100m from the pension fund of its 85000 members. We do not yet know whether the money was lost or squandered but it is a scandalous situation, leaving 85000 people to face a bleak future in retirement.

Surely Cosatu should be more concerned about the goings-on in its sixth- biggest union than the business practices of Walmart? Of greater concern is that the former general secretary of Sactwu, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, was one of three ministers to argue against Walmart at the Competition Tribunal hearings.

Now we have the spectacle of Patrick Craven of Cosatu appearing on TV and threatening mass mobilisation against Walmart. Does he not understand that the 85000 loyal union members who have been fleeced of their pensions represent the big problem and not the 28687 people who now have good jobs with Walmart?

It is time Cosatu got its own house in order. Its primary job is to look after the interests (and money) of its members and not to splurge its efforts on misguided economic campaigning likely to chase away foreign investment and destroy jobs.

Michael Bagraim

President of the Cape Chamber of Commerce

Reference: Business Day, 2 June 2011