Tyre manufacturer Goodyear set to retrench 900 workers
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has bemoaned the decision by Goodyear South Africa to discontinue its manufacturing operations in South Africa.
The company served the union with a Section 189 notice, saying it intends to shut its manufacturing operations in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the plant’s closure will likely affect 907 employees.
"As Numsa, we are deeply worried about the impact on workers and their families in Uitenhage. It is becoming a ghost town given that ContiTech, which is part of Continental, closed down, and it is also in the same tyre and rubber industry.
"At the same time, it may not be easy to replace these jobs."
Hlubi-Majola said Numsa is ready to negotiate what it believes to be fair severance packages.
The plant's closure will add to the unemployment crisis in the Eastern Cape, which already stands at 41,9%.
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