Strike will cause economy and families to suffer
Israel Bender, financial director of CBC Fasteners explains that the current strike will be doing more harm than good.
A metal factory, CBC Fasteners in Coppinger Street, Factoria had to close for business three weeks ago when it became evident that a strike was looming.
Management of the factory is concerned that the current National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) strike not only is harming the country’s economy, but also may result in job losses.
The company manufactures nuts and bolts and has about 180 employees.
Israel Bender, financial director of CBC Fasteners says the ongoing strike is affecting them dramatically.
He says they already lost about 35 per cent turnover owing to the five-month-long strike in the platinum sector by Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) earlier this year.
“Just when an agreement was reached in the platinum sector, the next strike started. We are in the midst of a recession and strikes like these are damaging our economy irreparably.”
The decision to close the factory was taken when the strike was confirmed as they realised it would be impossible to maintain production.
“About 60 per cent of our employees are Numsa members and to prevent intimidation to our other employees we decided it would be best to close the factory. It also is impossible to continue production when critical personnel are not available.
“Satisfying customers’ requirements is impossible when gaps in production occur due to absent employees,” Bender adds.
“We need all hands in the production line and since we won’t get orders unless we can produce what our clients want, the factory will not be profitable.
“We are losing a lot of money and this will affect Krugersdorp and the entire industry.”
Bender says importers, which are their competitors, are not as affected by the strike as they do not have big manpower requirements.
“Imports continue to increase as local manufacturers are faced by a complex and unfriendly labour regimen. The manufacturing sector creates jobs locally, whilst importers create employment for companies beyond our borders.”
Benders says the strike will affect the entire industry and its effect on the Krugersdorp environment will be severe.
“Some companies will not survive what now looks like an extended strike, and continuous lack of profitability will result in retrenchments and will sterilise all entrepreneurial drive.”
He says they most probably will have to retrench employees and those employees’ families will be hit the hardest as their breadwinners will lose the ability to provide for them.
“This will be a great tragedy for the country with its high unemployment rate as job opportunities will decrease even more.”
Similar stories:
• Numsa marchers hits loca streets
• Werknemers deur Numsa-lede geviktimiseer
• Numsa stakers los ‘n skade streep
• VIDEO: Nog ‘n besigheid word deur Numsa-lede geteiken
