KATLEHONG, Gauteng — As the COSATU 15th National Congress convenes this week with a core mission of rebuilding worker power, a pressing crisis is unfolding on the ground: laborers in the steel, manufacturing, retail, and trade sectors are increasingly questioning who will defend their livelihoods. Amid severe economic contraction and widespread job losses, a growing trust gap between employees and their union representatives has become a central flashpoint ahead of the federation’s key deliberations.
The labor federation recently outlined four key reports that will dominate the congress agenda, all aimed at addressing deteriorating worker conditions in a challenging labor market. However, for communities in industrial hubs east of Johannesburg—such as Katlehong, Alberton, City Deep, Southdale, and Germiston—the economic reality is stark. These areas, heavily reliant on manufacturing and trade, have borne the brunt of recent GDP contractions, with several companies facing intense operational pressures and, in some cases, liquidation.
At the heart of this local frustration is the case of MTJ, a steel manufacturing company. A father and son, both former employees of the company, have spent nearly a decade navigating a bureaucratic labyrinth. The father, who was retrenched in 2002, successfully secured a labor court order in 2018 mandating his former employer to pay over 100,000 rand for years of dedicated service.
Despite the union’s mandate to enforce such rulings and protect its members, the worker reports that his case has remained unresolved for almost ten years. Documentation indicates that the matter was escalated to Ivan Jim, president of the union, yet the executive leadership allegedly dropped the matter shortly after the escalation. Consequently, the worker has neither received his rightful compensation nor secured new employment, a plight now mirrored by his son, who faces similar unresolved labor disputes with the same company.
This localized grievance reflects a broader sentiment among union members, including those affiliated with NUMSA, who are expected to participate in the congress. Workers express deep frustration over continuous membership fee deductions without corresponding advocacy, especially when unfair labor practices go unchallenged and companies face liquidation without safeguarding employee entitlements.
As delegates gather to debate tripartite agreements and labor market strategies, the demand from the ground is clear: rebuilding worker power must begin with restoring trust, ensuring accountability from leadership figures like Ivan Jim, and delivering tangible, timely results for workers who have been left behind for nearly a decade.
