Confusion reigns in the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) over whether government is, or is not, willing to negotiate on its privatisation programme.
The government’s stand become muddied after the Ministry of Public Enterprises sent out a stinging letter to Cosatu last week saying that as the labour body had decided on an anti-privatisation strike next month it would withdraw from all negotiations in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
The ministry also said that it would not participate in any discussions under the National Framework Agreement on ”the restructuring of state assets” or measures to end poverty and create jobs.
The strike has become a major bone of contention between the African National Congress and its union allies.
This week, however, the Cabinet appeared to backtrack, issuing a statement on Cosatu’s strike that said discussions in Nedlac were continuing.
It expressed the government’s ”commitment to continue engagement on restructuring of state assets, investment, job-creation and poverty eradication with all role-players”.
Shortly after the Cabinet statement Cosatu received another letter, this time expressly signed by Minister of Public Enterprises Jeff Radebe. More conciliatory in tone, Radebe said the government respected the National Framework Agreement. But he implied negotiations could not resume because of next month’s strike.
Cosatu intends to seek clarity at a scheduled Nedlac meeting on privatisation on Friday. A labour onlooker said that if government representatives attended the meeting it would signify that negotiations were on again.
Radebe was not available for comment. A spokesperson for the Department of Public Enterprises said he would address all issues surrounding restructuring at a press conference on Friday.
Meanwhile, on Monday the ANC met Cosatu office bearers to discuss the upcoming strike action. Describing the meeting as ”cordial”, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said several ”possible interventions” were discussed.
He added, however, that both parties were far from a deal and that the strike was still on.
Left-leaning ANC insiders said the party would seek endorsement of its privatisation policies at provincial policy conferences this weekend. The aim was to strengthen the ANC’s position in dealing with the Cosatu strike.
The Cabinet statement also said the proposed Growth and Development Summit, which was to have debated the government’s economic policy, would be held in the new year.
Labour sources said they had not been informed of the new date.