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The Congress of South African Trade Unions wholeheartedly congratulates the government led by Comrade President Jacob Zuma on its first 100 days in office.

The federation welcomed the signposts the government put up when it first took office, which showed that they were moving in the right direction. Now we can begin to see concrete progress in the direction indicated by those early signposts.

The first very welcome development is the government's transparency, and willingness to consult its Alliance partners and other, as it did over Cabinet and other subsequent appointments, and over new legislation such as the proposed amendment to the Broadcasting Act and the labour laws. This openness has been a breath of fresh air, very much in the spirit of the ANC's Polokwane Conference.

COSATU was, secondly, very pleased with the President's State of the Nation Address, which was totally consistent with the Polokwane resolutions. We further welcome the government's subsequent actions to make sure those resolutions are taken forward.

Thirdly the federation is happy with the government's response to the severe global economic crisis, in particular the close co-operation between the Ministry of Economic Development and other ministries, which are knuckling down to the urgent task of implementing the historic Framework Agreement on the country's response to the international economic crisis.

We are deeply disappointed however at the dismal response of the business community to the implementation of this agreement which they signed. At a tripartite meeting between government labour and business leaders on 14 August 2009, which was intended to take forward the agreement, business forced a postponement. They are effectively holding the process to ransom, and delaying vital measures like the planned training layoffs and measures to protect vulnerable industries like clothing and textiles and automobiles.

The massive 17.1% drop in factory output in the year to June 2009 and the 6.7% slump in retail sales prove beyond doubt that the economic crisis is even deeper than at first predicted. COSATU and its allies were not ‘prophets of doom' but sober realists, when we forecast the loss of up to a million jobs in 2009. It is now beyond doubt that the country is still mired in a deep recession. It is terrible news for thousands of workers whose jobs must now be in jeopardy.

The federation warmly welcomes the President's commitment to create 500 000 new jobs. This economic crisis makes the government's new jobs target an even bigger challenge, but also makes it even more necessary, so that we can at least minimise the net job loss as a result of the recession and prepare for the economic revival.

We also understand the limitations imposed on the government by the likely R75-80 billion tax shortfall.

Fourthly COSATU is pleased with the progress being made on the implementation of many other policies, including the National Health Insurance scheme, and improving access to higher education and training. On local service delivery the federation is very encouraged with government ministers' willingness to visit aggrieved communities, discuss their problems openly and stop blaming communities' genuine protests on so-called ‘third forces'.

The federation also welcomes the rapid progress on plans to amend the labour laws in order to deal with the problems of labour broking and casual labour. There is already a vigorous debate within Nedlac and the nation around a discussion document with proposals on these issues.

Overall we are extremely pleased with the government's first 100 days and are confident that it will continue to steam ahead with its reforming policies over the next 100 days and beyond, and it will continue to have the full backing of COSATU and its 2 million members.