S.Africa unions want more power for striking workers

* COSATU ends congress calling for labour laws to be reviewed

* Says opposed to Trevor Manuel powers as planning head

MIDRAND, South Africa, Sept 24 - South Africa's largest labour union body COSATU called on Thursday for labour laws to be reviewed to give striking workers and contractors more rights.

COSATU, the powerful trade union ally of the ruling ANC, launched a series of strikes in the private and public sector this year for higher pay, putting pressure on its relationship with President Jacob Zuma, who came to power with union backing.

At its 10th congress, COSATU proposed several resolutions to improve working conditions and governance in South Africa.

"The right to strike is formally protected but not substantively," said Vuyo Bikitsha of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUMSA), referring to, among others, the right of companies to use scab labour.

"Workers gained nothing and capitalists everything," he said at the three-yearly meeting.

Strikes affected a number of sectors, including platinum, construction and local councils, during a regular wage negotiation season, leading to inflation-busting wage agreements.

Critics say the country's labour laws are too restrictive for business.

"Fifteen years down the line we have to have a detailed review process that looks at the weaknesses in our labour relations framework, particularly where it gives employers a greater hold over workers," Randall Howard, Secretary General of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union told Reuters.

"Labour brokers or fixed term contracts or subcontractors, independent contractors, are all typical forms of employment and one way or another have an exploitative or abusive element attached to them," he said.

Trade union federation COSATU, which boasts 1.9 million members, want labour brokers -- who provide contract workers to companies -- banned.

COSATU, which wants inflation targets scrapped and changes to how the central bank operates, has also clashed with government over powers given to former finance minister Trevor Manuel, as head of a new National Planning Commission.

It fears the new position for Manuel, who the trade unions view as championing business-friendly economic policy, would create "a new centre of power".

COSATU said Ebrahim Patel, the newly appointed Economic Development Minister and a former trade unionist, should be responsible for directing policy.

COSATU's General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and President Sidumo Dlamini were both re-elected at the congress.