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The COSATU-affiliated Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU)  has adopted a 10-Point Program on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout promotion campaign.

This follows a decision by the recent SACTWU National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on 10-12 February 2021, where the matter was discussed. The meeting was held virtually.

We thank the Minister of Health, Minister Zweli Mkhize, who had addressed our NEC on the matter and had provided us with valuable first hand information regarding the latest developments concerning this issue.

In summary, as a vital next step to combat and defeat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, our NEC resolved that it is very important for our trade union to play a clear, defined, targeted and decisive  role to firmly encourage all our members to take the vaccine.

The specific elements of our 10-Point Program regarding this matter, which we are now implementing, are as follows:

1. Educate our shop stewards and members about what a vaccine is and what the vaccination rollout program entails, by using social media, information pamphlets, snap video messages and other appropriate   information dissemination materials and methods.

2. Debunk the myths and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine.

3. Educate members on how to register to receive the vaccine.

4. Use our Bargaining Councils,  union health care facilities and factory clinics to assist with the rollout of administering the vaccine among members.

5. Enter into a Framework Agreement with employers in as many of our sectors as possible, to promote the vaccine rollout campaign.

6. Encourage all our members, shop stewards and other SACTWU leadership to take the vaccine.

7. Establish a vaccine query help line for our members.

8. Encourage SACTWU leadership to be among the first to take the vaccine and to volunteer time to assist in the rollout campaign.

9. Establish co-operation links with national, provincial and local structures involved in the vaccine rollout campaign.

10. Set a target to achieve an "industry immunity" vaccination rate in our sectors, drawing on industry employee database information.

We are determined to work together with government,  private- and public healthcare institutions, trade union formations and non-profit organisations to crush this destructive pandemic.

Issued by 

André Kriel 

SACTWU