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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All Posts filed under »Inside Labour Column«
Unions challenge govt — and the opposition
The mass strike in South Africa on Wednesday, March 9, was only nominally about e-tolling on public roads and the problem of labour brokers. It was, in fact, a challenge to both the government and the parliamentary opposition who both support a system that allows for road tolls and creates an environment in which unscrupulous labour brokers can thrive.
A failure to understand the importance of food prices
February 24, 2012
A recent report linking food price rises to social unrest underlines the validity of the comment that the world is only three square meals away from revolution or anarchy. The latest South African Budget takes no cognisance of this fact.
Jobs front cynicism as the debates continue
February 10, 2012
The South African government is optimistically punting figures from the latest Labour Force Survey. The unions take a more cautious view and a closer look at the statistics reveals a still strongly "ticking time bomb" of mass unemployment.
A chance to argue for real union principles
February 3, 2012
The state sponsored Chinese and North Korean unions will be part of the WFTU gathering in Johannesburg, hosted by four Cosatu-affiliated unions. Will this be a move to Soviet-style "conveyor belt unionism" or an opportunity to promote change and real labour principles?
Davos and the search for a real alternative
January 26, 2012
The annual Davos bunfight got underway again this week. But this gathering of the super rich and the guests they hope to bribe, bully and otherwise persuade to help shore up a system in crisis is unlikely to produce much that is worthwhile.
Bread & Roses: an ongoing struggle
January 21, 2012
This January 2012 wasnot just the centenary of South Africa's governing ANC. It was also the centenary of the bread and roses strike in the USA, a strike that provides many lessons for today and provides a good example frm which to judge how far we have come — and hw much further we need to go.
SA govt decisions sow union discord
December 9, 2011
The South African government’s latest moves directed, ostensibly, at combating corruption and maladministration have sown considerable confusion, distrust and suspicion in sections of the trade union movement.
Humbug, festivities and financial education
December 2, 2011
Given te dehpth of indebtedness into which many working class people seem certain to be be cast in the new year, it is tempting to emulate Dickers' Scrooge and say, "Bah! Humbug" about the looming season of supposed togetherness and happiness. But then there are developments that that are certainly not humbug and that illustrate something better.
Terry Bell Writes 
March 9, 2012
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