TRADE UNIONS AND MIGRATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Thabang Matete Mohale argues that globalisation has increased xenophobic tendencies and trade unions as part of the struggle for international solidarity should unite with the immigrant communities and workers.

The history of immigration and trade unionism in the Southern African region varies considerably because the region was for a long time divided into anti-apartheid countries and those that were in support of or were forced to follow the apartheid system. While the apartheid government in South Africa was segregationist and exclusive (i.e. admissive of only white immigrants as opposed to blacks), the borders between other countries in the region were relatively porous. Legal documentation was deemed an indispensable and essential necessity, but immigration control on black foreigners was not as strict in other countries in the region as it was in South Africa. Only immensely exploited mineworkers were allowed to sell their labour in South Africa.

The Transvaal Municipal Association (TMA) for example, which was an exclusively white trade union in the early part of the 20th century, did not only attempt to prevent blacks from selling their labour competitively, but it also sought to keep white migrants from accessing the job market. They held clandestine meetings where they undertook unscrupulous plotting. The TMA was concerned about the influx of white mine workers from Europe during the beginning of the 20th century. These multiple secret meetings resulted in unfair dismissals that shook the mining industry. The Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) was also at some point co-opted into this kind of scheming to the point where it faced instability.

The situation has not changed much today. The intensification of a globalised economy has accelerated anti-migrant sentiments in South Africa and the region. The current growth of xenophobia in the Southern African region, which is primarily traceable to South Africa, has undermined successes achieved during a united struggle against institutionalised racism. This has unfortunately spilled down into the workplace.

Loss of jobs

The threat of losing jobs by workers has always precipitated incidents reflective of racist, sexist and xenophobic attitudes. Corporate businesses transfer workers from across the borders at will without even asking them for their permission. They use propaganda to prevent them from following their jobs and workers have picked up the habit indiscriminately. Most of this anti-foreigner propaganda is meant to keep wages low. Job seekers and workers from beyond the borders have suffered abuse as a result. The effect in the long run has been to further divide workers from being united on common social, economic and political matters.

Restraining foreign workers

One thing that is prevalent throughout the history of migrant labourers in the region is the attempts of national trade unions to restrain workers from neighbouring countries from entering South Africa because of the threat to their jobs. The pressure to maintain constant worker support sometimes forced trade unions to choose between sympathising with migrant workers and appeasing the wishes of local workers. Most of the time the latter prevailed.

With the growing need for common understanding, and awareness for worker solidarity, a fundamental shift in standards has come to characterise trade unions in the region. There has been significant progress towards recognising and accepting refugees and migrants as unavoidable and a necessary part of the workforce (men, women and children). The patriotic flag waving anti-foreigner attitudes that used to exclude workers on the basis of their nationality has become sterile and unable to cope with the current sense of worker solidarity in the workplace.

Organised workers in trade unions have demonstrated their willingness to respond to the anti-foreigner attitude driven by globalisation. They are questioning the trend of removing workers without consultation; laws that separate workers; as well as governments that implement and encourage these laws. Workers in trade unions have realised that they stand to lose by harbouring xenophobic attitudes, and they have started questioning sentiments, which are meant to bring divisions among them.

Within the Southern African region, the need for solidarity with foreign workers has yet to be embraced both in the trade unions and among non- unionised workers. It is however, interesting to note that there are strides towards embracing workers from other countries, as well as attempts to crush xenophobic attitudes.

Response of Trade Unions

Although such recognition is still not commonly acknowledged among all trade unions and their members, there are already steps towards amending the manner in which workers must relate to their fellow foreign employees. However, the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU) and the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) have not made any significant moves to normalising relations with migrant workers. Their silence on the matter leaves them open to question as to their relations with non-indigenous workers.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has demonstrated the enthusiasm to normalise relations with foreign employees in its constitution in which

it advocates for their recognition as equals. The union’s white paper challenges the government’s unwillingness to create a solid organisation meant to serve the needs of foreign workers and jobseekers. In this case the union advocates for a single non-sectarian enforcement institution that should serve as an immigration service for the fair treatment of non-South African nationals.

COSATU demands and advocates for a common understanding among other trade unions in the region, and for dialogue on a uniform approach to the problems related to anti-foreigner sentiments. This is a demonstration of the union’s willingness to embrace all workers. Not much has happened yet, but the few attempts made so far are reason enough for optimism. COSATU has also called for legal guarantees on equal wages and the protection of all workers irrespective of their origin.

While constitutional reform is a positive move in the right direction for the treatment of migrant workers, the mood of workers still requires encouragement to match the amendments. It is necessary however to note that the preference of trade unions for constitutional reform cannot be separated from their perception on the broader national agenda, and that their economic programmes have a similar effect to migrant labour.

Thabang Matete Mohale is an activist involved with Jubilee and the Anti-War Coalition. He works at Khanya College.