Cosatu has called for joint action to close the gender pay gap by 2035.
This is according to Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi, who was speaking on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in George.
Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth chaired the G20 Employment Working Group meeting.
Losi said that by 2035, the wage gap should be reduced by 25% across all 19 G20 member countries, as well as throughout the African continent.
“The aim is to find solutions to labour-related issues,” she said.
“The G20’s mandate is to address labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced and job-rich growth for all under the theme Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives”.
“Over the past two days, we have had our meetings as the workers’ organisations and have had quite extensive discussions.
“We say to the governments in particular and employers that we are here to work together to ensure that we can reach the targets that we have set for 2025.
“We are hopeful that all countries will agree to adopt that declaration in November.
“Any agreement on any matter, or commitment, has to be inclusive in the social dialogue process, which ensures that workers and communities that are affected by any transition that takes place are also at the table to help those discussions and deliberations.”
While discussions concluded on Tuesday, two days of technical meetings began on Wednesday.
International Labour Organisation director-general Gilbert Houngbo urged the G20 to stay optimistic in confronting the challenges of “living and working in an unequal world” and to take meaningful action to address them.
“We must commit and act with solidarity, equality and sustainability because we need everyone and we are stronger when we leave no-one behind,” he said.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.