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Cosatu speaks up for women

Business Day
10 July 2000

THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has criticised the government's macroeconomic policy for neglecting political, social and economic issues affecting the development of women in the country.

At the union movement's fourth national gender conference held in Johannesburg last week, delegates put forward a number of resolutions to be discussed at Cosatu's national congress in September.

Cosatu national organiser Bheki Ntshalintshali said that calls were made for the intensification of the job losses campaign, focusing on the creation of better quality jobs and the extension of social services to women.

A rigid adherence to budget deficit targets could not be justified in the face of poverty endured by black women, he said.

The conference called for the implementation of job summit resolutions and the evaluation of the conference's agreements within the next six months.

The gender policy, aimed at creating equality within the leadership and activities of trade unions, received strong support.

Cosatu's congress will be held from September 18 to 21 at the Gallagher Estate in Midrand.