The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant yesterday in Parliament reiterated her government’s refusal to engage with AMCU, the increasingly prominent union in platinum mining. Oliphant would have us believe that the reason for this is that AMCU is not an officially recognised union. In reality, this means that the ANC continues to avoid engaging with unions not affiliated with its alliance partner COSATU.

ANC Ministers are so intent on keeping Cosatu on board ahead of Mangaung that they are prepared to risk another Marikana. We must not forget that Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu cancelled a scheduled meeting with AMCU a week before violence erupted at Marikana. Questions remain over whether this was on the express instruction of Cosatu bosses.

If we are to prevent another Marikana, we need a fair labour regime that includes all unions – not just those in a political relationship with the governing party. That is why the DA will be pushing hard for amendments to the Labour Relations Act in Parliament.

In particular, we believe that the current closed shop arrangement which excludes minority unions must be replaced with an inclusive system so that all workers are represented during wage negotiations.

Cosatu’s stranglehold over government must be broken once and for all. The labour landscape is changing and the labour regime should align with present-day realities.