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“The Long Walk Is Not Yet Over” a Study of Collective Actors´ Political Capacities Within the Domestic Service in South Africa

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“The Long Walk Is Not Yet Over” a Study of Collective Actors´ Political Capacities Within the Domestic Service in South Africa “The Long Walk is not yet over” A Study of Collective Actors´ Political Capacities within the Domestic Service in South Africa Camilla Rodø Master´s Thesis in Political Science Department of Political Science UNIVERSITY OF OSLO Spring 2016 I II “The Long Walk is not yet over” A Study of Collective Actors´ Political Capacities within the Domestic Service in South Africa III © Camilla Rodø 2016 The Long Walk is not yet over: A Study of Collective Actors´ Political Capacities within the Domestic Service in South Africa Camilla Rodø http://www.duo.uio.no Word Count: 41 052 Print: Grafisk Senter AS, Oslo IV Abstract One should not take for granted that the various institutions are democratic, that formal laws automatically lead to improvement. Instead one needs to consider the actors´ capacities to use these institutions. This master dissertation analyses why the legal institutions that came with the democratic transition in South Africa haven´t given better results for the domestic workers. Furthermore, a more profound discussion is given regarding the question; how can collective actors´ level of political capacities serve as an explanation to the perceived challenges with domestic workers´ labour laws. Findings from the study indicate that there have been extensive improvements with the implementation of the domestic workers´ labour laws. However, despite these improvements, the domestic workers are still struggling. And the reason why, may be explained in light of enforcement and content of the laws. The study suggests that the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union´s low level of political capacities to some extent may explain why the legal institutions that came with the democratic transition in South Africa haven´t given better results for the domestic workers. V Preface First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisor Olle Törnquist for inspiring me to choose the topic of domestic workers, and by providing me with encouraging and constructive feedback whenever needed. Furthermore, I devote special thanks to my assistant supervisor David Jordhus-Lier, for his instructive engagement and inspiring conversations. The time spent with you and your family is highly appreciated, and I am certain that the fieldwork would not have been the same without your presence. A further thanks is contributed to my parents for always supporting my ambitions. Likewise, I´m very grateful for my brothers´ unlimited sense of humour and dazzling advices that have kept me motivated through this roller coaster. In this research process I came to know a range of wonderful people. I am both humbled and honoured to all the informants, who voluntarily participated in my project. You all have my deepest appreciation and respect for what you are working with – your work is great, and of high importance. Especially, I would like to dedicate my appreciation to Myrtle Witbooi, who warmly welcomed me into the union of SADSAWU, and thank you Gloria, Hester and Sindiswa for your smiles and interest in cooperating with me. This journey has been a special experience for me both as a student, but also personally. Developing a sincere interest for the meaning of collective action, labour laws, and the domestic service – an occupation mainly consisting of disadvantaged women, who lack the opportunities that supposedly should have come with the democracy, and which should have been beneficial and inclusive of all citizens. Any errors and misperception in this master dissertation, I alone am responsible for. Amandla! Ngawethu! Camilla Rodø VI List of Abbreviations ANC The African Nation Congress BCEA Basic Condition of Employment Act of 75 of 1997 C189 Convention 189, Domestic Workers Convention CCMA The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration COIDA Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act COSATU The Congress of South African Trade Unions FEDUSA The Federation of Union of South Africa GEAR Growth, Employment and Redistribution ILC International Labour Conference ILO International Labour Organization NEDLAC National Economic Development and Labour Council NGO Non-Governmental Organizations NACTU National Council Of Trade Unions PASSOP People Against Suffering an Oppression and Poverty R201 Recommendation 201 RDP The Reconstruction and Development Programme SACP South African Communist Party SADSAWU The South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union WIEGO Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing VII List of Figures, Map and Tables Figure 2.3 Political Capacity and Accompanying Dimension 21 Figure 2.3.1 Politicization and Agenda Setting 24 Figure 2.3.2 Organization and Mobilization 26 Figure 2.3.3 Authority and Legitimacy 28 Figure 2.3.4 Participation and Representation 31 Figure 2.3.5 Inclusion versus Exclusion 33 Figure 4.1.1 Fish illustration of the triangulated relationship and social power 57 Figure 4.2 Illustration of the five dimensions constituting political capacity in relation to the issue of domestic services´ labour laws 58 Map Map of South Africa 1 Table 1.1.2 Employed by sex and occupation 6 VIII Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................... VII List of Figures, Map and Tables ....................................................................................... VIII Map of South Africa ................................................................................................................ 1 1 Chapter - Introduction ...................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Research Questions ................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.1 Domestic Work .................................................................................................................. 3 1.1.2 South Africa – An Ideal Study Area for Domestic Work .................................................. 5 1.1.3 Political Capacities ............................................................................................................ 8 1.1.4 Collective Actors ............................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Previous studies and Current debate .................................................................................. 10 1.2.1 South Africa and the Democratic Transition ................................................................... 10 1.2.2 Domestic Work in South Africa ...................................................................................... 13 1.3 Outline of The Dissertation .................................................................................................. 15 2 Chapter – Analytical and Theoretical Framework ...................................................... 16 2.1 Substantial and Substantive Democracy ............................................................................ 16 2.1.1 Substantial Democracy .................................................................................................... 16 2.1.2 Substantive Democracy ................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Labour Laws ......................................................................................................................... 18 2.3 Political Capacities ............................................................................................................... 19 2.3.1 Politicization and Agenda Setting ................................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Organization and Mobilization ........................................................................................ 24 2.3.3 Authority and Legitimacy ................................................................................................ 26 2.3.4 Participation and Representation ..................................................................................... 28 2.3.5 Inclusion versus Exclusion .............................................................................................. 32 3 Chapter – Research design and Methods ...................................................................... 34 3.1 A Qualitative Case Study Design ........................................................................................ 34 3.1.1 Selection of Case: Single-case study ............................................................................... 37 3.2 Sources of Data Collection ................................................................................................... 38 3.3 Fieldwork ............................................................................................................................... 38 3.3.1 Interview as Method ........................................................................................................ 40 3.3.2 Observation as Method .................................................................................................... 47 IX 4 Chapter – Empirical Findings and Analysis ................................................................. 49 4.1 Present Situation and Perceived Challenges ...................................................................... 49 4.2 Collective Actors´ Level of Political Capacities ................................................................. 58 4.2.1 Politicization and Agenda Setting ..................................................................................
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