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Vavi: New labour federation will launch in April

Johannesburg - A new trade union federation will host its inaugural congress in April, its steering committee convenor, Zwelinzima Vavi, said on Wednesday.

Vavi said 21 unions would be represented by 1 800 delegates for the gathering set for April 21 - 23. He said 17 other unions had not yet received a mandate to become part of the new federation.

"We are seeing the 21st of April as an important milestone in unifying South African workers. It's only a milestone, not the ultimate achievement of the unity of South African workers," said Vavi.

He said there was still a long way to go in breaking down divisions, and unifying workers.

Vavi, who was expelled from labour federation Cosatu in 2016, said workers needed unions which were independent of their bosses and political parties.

"Unions have not been useful in putting forward the interests of the workers in the work place," he said.

Vavi said 76% of the workers in the country were not union members and this was a sign that they had given up on the organisations meant to represent their rights.

WATCH: Vavi says its a long way to go before unifying workers

'R20 won't end poverty'

Vavi once again slammed the country's minimum wage. He told journalists that there was a massive gap between workers and employers in SA.

"It must be about breaking the backbone of poverty, regrettably R20 doesn't do that," he said.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed off on a R3 500 national minimum wage agreement, a deal which Cosatu reluctantly endorsed.

Vavi said a worker needed at least R5 400 just to survive.

"Even though Ramaphosa and Cosatu keep on saying half a loaf is better than none, we are not interested in that old rhetoric of employers," said Vavi.

He said workers in the country deserved dignity and that this could not be found in poverty. He said 60% of South African workers would remain in poverty, even with the implementation of the new minimum wage.

He also weighed in on the African National Congress succession debate. Vavi said the upcoming elective conference was a make-or-break situation for Cosatu.

He said Cosatu had taken a position in the ANC succession debate because its own leaders were hoping to be rewarded with Cabinet positions should Ramaphosa emerge victorious in December.

"For them to go to Cabinet and be members of Parliament will depend on Ramaphosa's fortunes," said Vavi.

Sassa saga

He said Cosatu had created the mess in which South Africans were finding themselves, citing the federation's backing of President Jacob Zuma to rise to the helm of the ANC as its president.

"Cosatu is equally responsible for the quagmire South Africans are finding themselves in," he said.

Vavi also shared his thoughts on the current South African Social Security Agency saga.

Both the agency and the Department of Social Development have until March 31 to ensure that social grants scheme operations are not in contravention of an order handed down by the Constitutional Court in 2014.

The court found that the contract between Cash Paymaster Services and the department was both invalid and unconstitutional.

"It's not an issue with [Bathabile] Dlamini, but an entire Cabinet which has been sitting with a contract that's illegal for two years," said Vavi.

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