We, the Trade Union representatives here present firmly commit ourselves to a unified
democratic South Africa, free of oppression and economic exploitation.
We believe that this could only be achieved under the leadership of a united working class.
Our history has taught us that to achieve this goal we will have to carry out the following
tasks:
1 Organize the unorganized workers and build effective trade unions based on the democratic organisation of workers in the factories, mines, shops, farms and other workplaces.
2 Organize national industrial trade unions, financed and controlled by their worker members through democratically elected committees.
3 Unify national industrial trade unions, under COSATU’s leadership.
4 Combat the divisions among the workers of South Africa and unite them into strong and confident working class.formations.
5 Encourage democratic worker organisation and leadership in all spheres of our society together with other progressive sectors of the community.
6 Reinforce and encourage progressive international worker contact and solidarity so as to assist one another in our struggles.
COSATU calls on all those who identify with this commitment to join us and the workers whom we represent, as comrades in the struggle ahead. We call on all trade unions to strive to unite their members in their ranks without discrimination and prejudice. We seek to protect and further the interests of all workers. Our struggle is inspired by the universal slogan of working class solidarity: “An injury to one is an injury to all”.