Union accuses Cyril of ‘Marikana tactics’
MARIKANA TACTICS: VAVI ACCUSES CYRIL OF TRYING TO SILENCE UNIONS
At heart of strike tomorrow is national minimum wage, rules governing protests.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of using anti-strike “Marikana tactics” as he introduces the minimum wage and labour law amendments.
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the proposed national minimum wage and the rules governing strikes, secret ballots and picketing by workers were part of Ramaphosa’s attempt to finish what he started as former director of Lonmin platinum mine to suppress strikes.
Alluding to the 2012 strike at Lonmin in North West, Vavi said the president’s administration was hellbent on suppressing any strike of the same magnitude as the Marikana action, where 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead by police.
But Business Unity SA (Busa) said it stood behind the new provisions and supported the legislation amendments. Busa, which has made a submission to the labour portfolio committee, said the Bill reflected a delicate package of compromises that arose out of the Nedlac negotiations.
“The labour relations stability amendments include provisions that have the potential to change fundamentally the tone of labour relations and build a mutually respectful, job-rich, productive and competitive economy, thereby enhancing the constitutional right to fair labour practices and putting us on the path of social and economic prosperity,” said Busa chief executive Tanya Cohen.
Saftu and its affiliates will embark on a general strike tomorrow to oppose the R20 per hour minimum wage and the labour law amendments. It has started canvassing political parties and unions affiliated to Cosatu to join them.
Themba Godi’s African People’s Convention sympathised with Saftu, while the federation’s leadership was set to meet United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa and to lobby the EFF and other parties to reject the amendments and the minimum wage.
Vavi urged all political parties to reject the minimum wage and the labour amendment Bills.
“We make a call to every political party to support us and reject these amendments,” he said. “We know that some parties have come out clearly to reject them.”
The strike is also supported by a host of civil society organisations. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA is among unions strongly supporting the national action.
Saftu president Mac Chabalala invited all the unions affiliated to Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu to join them tomorrow.
He said: “The latest attacks include the increase in VAT, the fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund levy which will push up the price of nearly everything we buy.”
Saftu said the main protest marches would be held to the labour department in Joburg; parliament in Cape Town; and the City Hall in Durban. Other marches had been organised in Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Polokwane.
The latest attacks include VAT, fuel levy increases.