Bruno Kreisky Foundation

for Human Rights

Congress of South African Trade Unions (South Africa)

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is a South African federation of labor unions. They were founded in December of 1985 as the result of talks among anti- apartheid unions. They promote non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic ideals for South Africa in general. They played an prominent role in the dismantlement of the apartheid regime by launching a series of well organized strikes throughout the country. COSATU has grown from half a million workers to approximately two million. Although most trade unions have seen a decline in membership their membership has grown.

In 2011 COSATU has lead many projects on the behalf of workers, including one involving the Aurora mines. The directors of the mines have been accused of stealing the property of the mine so that when it is liquidated there is nothing left. The workers who witnessed this are fighting to draw attention to it.

(http://www.cosatu.org)