Matthew Parks

Cosatu Applauds SA’s Progress on FATF Grey List Removal

In South Africa, Cosatu has commended the government’s progress towards removing the country from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. South Africa was grey listed in February 2023, for not complying with international standards that relate to money laundering and addressing illicit financial flows. National Treasury has addressed 20 out of the 22 action items outlined in its action plan. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says the government must ensure […]

26 February, 2025 27

South Africa

S.A Union COSATU Concerned Over U.S. Tariff Threat

S.A union Cosatu says it is deeply worried by the United States president Donald Trump’s announcement of pending tariffs on South African and other nations’ exports. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks says this threatens thousands of South African jobs in many sectors, including agriculture, mining, jewellery, chemicals, automotive, and clothing. He says with a 41.9-percent unemployment rate, South Africa cannot afford further job losses:

15 February, 2025 44

Business / Economics

Union to Present Support for Increase in S.A’s National Minimum Wage

Cosatu says it will be presenting its submission to support the South Africa National Minimum Wage Commission’ recommendations of 1.5-percent increase for the national minimum wage for the 2025 financial year and finalise its proposals to Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the federation is urging the Minister to announce the final increase and ensure it comes into effect by no later than 1 March […]

20 December, 2024 47

South Africa

Cosatu Hails Ramaphosa’s Signing of Railway Safety Bill

S.A Union Cosatu welcomes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s assenting of the Railway Safety Bill, saying this is a long overdue and important piece of legislation. The new law provides for the regulation of railway safety and the continued existence of the Railway Safety Regulator. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says they welcome the progressive objectives and provisions of the Bill, that seek to overhaul the often-weak health and safety provisions governing the […]

6 December, 2024 41

South Africa

Cosatu Calls for Enforcement of ICC Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu and Others

Cosatu says the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court last week, show that no individual or state is above international law. The arrest warrants were issued for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says the international community must ensure these arrest warrants are enforced:

25 November, 2024 32

South Africa

Cosatu Welcomes Dip in Unemployment Rate in South Africa

S A. Union Cosatu says the slight dip in the unemployment rate is a welcome reprieve, coming on the back of three consecutive quarters of job losses. About 294-thousand more people were employed in the third quarter of this year. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says unemployment remains dangerously high among young people. He says the private sector needs to come to the party by halting the flood of retrenchments […]

13 November, 2024 44

South Africa

Cosatu Expresses Disappointment with S.A’s Treasury’s Economic Strategies

S.A union, Cosatu says it remains underwhelmed and disappointed by the Treasury’s continued approach to tackling South Africa’s deep-seated economic and governance crises. The union federation was responding to the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says the fundamental challenges facing the nation are a stagnant economy and a rising unemployment rate of 42.6-percent:

31 October, 2024 42

Business / Economics

S.A Union Welcomes Inflation Drop, Urging Reserve Bank to Lower Repo Rate

S.A Union federation Cosatu has welcomed the drop in consumer inflation from 4.4-to 3.8-percent, saying it offers relief to struggling workers. Spokesperson Matthew Parks is urging the South African Reserve Bank to reduce the repo rate by at least 50 basis points to ease debt burdens. He also calls for government intervention to stabilise Eskom and reduce fuel prices:

24 October, 2024 42

South Africa

S.A Union Urges Parliament to Address Misconduct and Corruption

S.A Union, Cosatu has called on Parliament to demonstrate moral excellence and leadership in addressing delinquent Members of Parliament. The union federation expressed concerns over the MK Party's chief whip, impeached Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe's nomination to the Judicial Service Commission, and the suspension of DA MP Renaldo Gouws, accused of using racist hate speech. Cosatu’s ,Matthew Parks criticized Parliament's leniency on misconduct, hate speech, and corruption, demanding […]

8 July, 2024 35