Rael Solomon eats, sleeps and drinks labour relations. Has done so for decades. A qualified engineer, he long ago switched to make his living as a labour consultant. As one who sees things from the coalface, it’s not surprising that Solomon has strong views about the way the current chaos and threatened explosion. AMCU, he warns, is a ticking time bomb. The playing field has altered. Best those who are able to do something about it appreciate this fact. And stop ignoring it in the hope the problem will go away. – AH
By Rael Solomon*
Workers are casting aside Trade Unions and using unprotected strikes, knobkerries and now terrorism and sabotage by plunging large swathes of Johannesburg into darkness. The strikes’ silly season continues unabated.
Marikana heralded a new chapter of Labour Relations in South Africa when a structured, ableit union-dominated system of negotiation was replaced by militancy and unprotected strikes.
Job creation should be the name of the game. But the confrontational approach by unions is forcing mines and other businesses to automate and mechanise to avoid endless disruptions. With the ruling ANC focussing on election politics, what chance for South Africa?
The ANC needs to step in with a strong proactive labour relations policy that abandons its foundation of vote-catching. SA’s labour laws are more than adequate. But the way they are enforced is the heart of the problem. The ANC needs to start enforcing the laws to put end unprotected strikes. It needs to apply rule of law.
At the first sign of trouble at Marikana senior ANC officials should have played a mediation and proactive role. The party’s new vice president, ex-union boss Cyril Ramaposa, has the necessary experience and stature to intervene. Also, he no longer needs worry about his share holdings and directorships. Our cop boss Riah Phiyega was like a bull in a china shop in labour relations. Her interventions at Marikana only exacerbated the situation.
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In a statement issued on Wednesday, DA MP Sej Motau said a report confirmed that government had “all but lost control” of labour in South Africa as strikes hit a five year high.