[MUST LISTEN] MPs debate future of troubled SAA
Updated | By Lulutho Mkosi
Members of Parliament debated the future of the troubled state-owned South African Airways (SAA) in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
MP’s gave their take on the dire financial state of the airline as well as the impact the weeklong strike at SAA had on the economy.
The week-long strike by trade unions National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) is estimated to have cost the national carrier hundreds of millions of rands.
The protest action was fuelled by threats of the looming retrenchment of some 900 workers, something which SAA believes could save it up to R700 million.
Freedom Front Plus MP Wouter Wessels told the National Assembly that they believe trade unions have too much power at SAA and that their salary demands will only put further strain on the airline’s finances.
"You'll have to say enough is enough, you'll have to say you cannot afford wage increases, this 5.9% wage increase is unsustainable.”
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This while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) blamed the industrial action on poor financial management at the airline.
“It is therefore correct for the workers to fight against retrenchments, the failure of SAA cannot be blamed on ordinary workers,” said EFF MP Nazier Paulsen.
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Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Alfred Lees believes SAA should be placed under business rescue and ultimately sold to the highest bidder.
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