The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) supports the workers strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa, led by our affiliate, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA).
The strike began on 11 May 2022. ArcelorMittal SA has however approached the Labour Court to interdict some of the workers in its employ considered to be essential.
Disappointingly, the Labour Court has granted such an interdict. It is strange that the Labour Court has ruled in favour of the employer by granting the interdict without the Essential Service Committee (ESC) declaring those services essential.
NUMSA will meet its members at the company today, 12 May 2022, to explain the implications of the Labour Courtโs interdict, and thereby determine a way forward.
SAFTU is in full support of all the demands tabled by workers which include:
a) a 10% percent wage increase across the board
b) Housing allowance
c) 80% medical aid contribution by employer
d) Scrapping of Labour Brokers and insourcing of temporary employees.
In the context of higher production and higher earnings in the sector and particularly for the company in the last year, SAFTU believes the company can afford the demands of metalworkers.
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