National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa pickets IDC over steel sector crisis

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) Sedibeng Region staged a picket outside the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) offices in Sandton on December 9, calling on the IDC to urgently respond to its memorandum of demands regarding SA Steel Mills (SASM) and the collapsing situation at ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa).

Read more: Sandton, Alexandra and surrounds prepare for protests ahead of G20 Summit

Numsa claimed workers have been left without income or certainty for months as the business rescue process drags on, marred by delays, poor communication and a glaring lack of transparency.

Numsa national spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the union is demanding that the IDC intervene decisively.

“Workers at SA Steel Mills have suffered long enough. They have been treated as an afterthought in a process that directly affects their livelihoods. We will not allow workers to be spectators while decisions about their futures are made behind closed doors.”

Hlubi-Majola said they want the IDC to support Pro RM as the preferred bidder, accusing the business rescue practitioner of showing open bias in favour of competitor Alfeco.

“The proposals are clear: Pro RM is offering a real, time-bound, worker-centred rescue with job creation, wages, a hardship fund and a commitment to engage Numsa. Alfeco offers an asset play, uncertainty, and no going-concern continuity. We reject any plan that sidelines workers.”

Also read: Protest march expected in Sandton

The union is also demanding that the Section 151 creditors’ meeting, currently set for December 18 to be postponed to late January 2026, saying the December date excludes workers and creditors who will be away or closed during the holiday period.

Numsa further raised alarm over the situation at ArcelorMittal South Africa, where the Vereeniging and Newcastle plants were mothballed at the end of October.

The union claimed workers have revealed that assets at the Newcastle plant have allegedly been stripped, undermining any possibility of restarting operations.

Hlubi-Majola condemned Amsa’s management. “This is daylight robbery. Stripping assets destroys jobs and devalues the company ahead of a potential sale.“

As workers continue to face income insecurity heading into the festive season, Numsa said it expects a formal IDC response by December 12.

@caxtonjoburgnorth The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Sedibeng Region, marched to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) headquarters on the morning of December 9, demanding an immediate written response to its memorandum on the crisis at SA Steel Mills and the escalating turmoil at ArcelorMittal South Africa. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Protest ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Addressing Numsa outside the IDC offices, Tshepo Ramodibe, IDC Head of Corporate Affairs, insisted that the corporation remains fully involved and committed to finding sustainable solutions for both SASM and Amsa.

“The IDC has never abandoned the cause of the workers. We are not bystanders. We continue to engage BRPs, government and all stakeholders to find a viable solution because we understand how important the steel industry is, especially to workers’ livelihoods.”

He acknowledged Numsa’s concerns and confirmed that the IDC would formally respond within the deadline set by the union.

“We have listened to the requirements and demands of the memos. We will respond by the timeline given. Our commitment is to work hand in hand with Numsa to ensure that the hardship workers have suffered is addressed.”

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!