Solidarity declares dispute with govt over mass retrenchments
Solidarity has declared a dispute with the government at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) amid a wave of retrenchments.
Briefing the media on Tuesday, the trade union’s CEO, Dirk Hermann, said the unusual step comes in the wake of what he described as repeated attempts to engage the government over the job losses.
Hermann believes the dispute declaration will force the government to enter into a conversation.
“We experience the government as one that deals recklessly with people’s work. We trust that the dispute will put greater pressure on the government and that other role players will also enter into dispute with the government. South Africa must stand up for people’s jobs and for our country.”
Several companies, including Glencore, Ford SA, ArcelorMittal, and Beeshoek, have announced retrenchment over the past months, leading to fears of broader job losses.
According to Solidarity, the retrenchment notices the trade union received in the past month directly and indirectly affect about 350,000 people.
“Solidarity expects this number to increase drastically within the next three months and is now asking that other trade unions, employers and community organisations also declare disputes with the government,” said Hermann.
He added that the unresolved trade agreement between South Africa and the US worsens the situation.
A Solidarity delegation will travel to the USA this week after the Donald Trump administration said it will listen to their proposed trade agreement framework.
Hermann said the Trade Union wrote a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa with the same trade agreement framework, but received no response.
“Solidarity also previously wrote to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Parks Tau, warning of the coming crisis. A proposed trade framework was also sent to President Ramaphosa, and once again, there was no response to the letter.
“We are therefore in dispute with the South African government and in discussion with the Trump administration.”
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