Chairperson, the ANC takes this opportunity to salute the workers of our country under the leadership of Cosatu, who in the most challenging circumstances have sustained and kept alive the spirit of militant democratic trade unionism, which is embodied in the policy and programme of the South African Congress of Trade Unions.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is a movement of ordinary working men and women that have joined together to fight for a better life for the workers in the thousands of workplaces across the country. They are gathered in Gauteng province for their 10th congress.
The largest federation of our country has met since yesterday to review the past three years. They are planning and strategising for the future under the current global economic crisis. They are meeting under the theme "Consolidating working-class power in defence of decent work and socialism".
The ANC acknowledges and appreciates the militancy and political consciousness of this revolutionary class and the role it has played in the past and in the transformation of our society. Trade unions have made, and they will continue to make, a great contribution to the whole liberation movement in our efforts to realise the goal of a better life for all our people. I thank you. [Applause.]