The planned mass protest by COSATU and its members against labour brokers and the Gauteng e-tolling system on Wednesday, 7 March 2012 leaves the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton at 9:00 am and proceeds to the City Hall on Vuyisile Mini Square.
NMBBC Chamber CEO, Kevin Hustler commented ahead of the protest thus; “The Chamber is deeply concerned at the impact of tomorrow’s planned protest on the country’s fragile economy. We are also disappointed that these issues could not be constructively resolved within NEDLAC, as the structure specifically designed for engagement on such issues.
“We believe there is still room to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the labour-broking issue, bearing in mind that they do have a role to play in facilitating employment in an economy where job creation is desperately needed. Where labour brokers act unethically or do not abide by legislation designed to protect employees, we believe that the legal remedies available should be used to deal with them. We agree that stronger regulation may be the solution to rooting out unscrupulous and illegal practices.
“While we recognise the right of unions and workers to pursue protest action on socio-economic issues, we strongly believe this needs to be balanced against the current situation where industry can ill afford production losses which impact negatively on export orders and the country’s ability to attract new investment.”
Editor’s Notes: Looks like the chamber could teach some people a thing or two – well done in correctly labelling the action as a ‘protest’ and not as the more emotive word ‘strike’. See:
Let’s all hope that Chinese companies like FAW do not see this action as an excuse to site their planned R200 million rand factory elsewhere in the world. OR, even worse still do like the suppliers of the seats for the stadium did and bring their own labour to install them and still have the cheek to write in a condescending tone about our local labour’s abilities thereafter.
