Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 9. May 4 1981
Political Activity Outlawed
Political Activity Outlawed
One of the more controversial aspects of the proposed legislation is the measure aimed at preventing unions from engaging in political activity. The clause prevents all unions from assisting any group or persons who have "political" aims, or who promote "socio-cultural interests" in such a manner that they may derive political benefit from their activities.
The legislation is aimed at the many African and multi-racial unions which have been propagating the idea that the problems of African workers are intrinsically tied up with the problem of apartheid. During the labour unrest last year, these unions succeeded in establishing informal ties with Black community organisations. The draft Bill intends to ban this and to prevent unions from involving themselves in community issues.
A wide range of unions has angrily rejected the draft Bill. These include the exclusively Black Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) and the multi-racial Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSTAU). Although Labour Minister Fanie Botha has indicated that certain aspects of the draft Bill may be changed before it is presented to Parliament this year, it appears unlikely that the measures providing for greater control of the union movement will be substantially altered.