SECTION 77 NOTICES

Plastic bags

CEPPWAWU (Chemical, Energy, Paper, printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union), SACWU (South African Chemical Workers'Union) and the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers' Union (SACCAWU) tabled a notice on 17 July stating that they were concerned about the effect that the proposed ban on thin plastic bags would have on the socio-economic interests of workers. The proposed ban refers to the plastic bag regulations, which were promulgated by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on 9 May 2002.

In the reasons for the proposed protest action, the unions argued that there would be job losses as a result of the regulations and that this would impact more widely on the dependents of workers. They also argued that retailers would pass the higher costs of thicker bags onto consumers. They rejected Government's reason for banning thin plastic bags, which argues that the discarding of large numbers of bags had resulted in severe pollution, particularly in low-income areas where waste collection services are inadequate.

The unions proposed rather that the minimum thickness for vest type carrier bags should be set at no more than 24 microns, which is thicker than the bags currently available at supermarkets, but which the local industry could produce without changing their machinery. In order to ensure that local producers of 24 micron bags are not undermined by imports of thinner bags, the unions proposed that government must ensure that customs and excise is given sufficient capacity and resources to monitor imports. They further proposed that Government must take steps to encourage recycling. They proposed that a levy should be imposed on vest type carrier bags sold by retailers, which should be paid to a section 21 company established to promote re-use and recycling. They also proposed that the collection of plastic bag litter must be improved by increasing municipal services to areas most affected by the problem.

Nedlac has held three meetings of the parties, and discussions have also been continuing on a political level. The parties have agreed to revert to Nedlac after 19 September.

Privatisation and other socio-economic issues

Cosatu, tabled two Section 77(1)(b) notices to Nedlac on 24 July. The first relates to the issue of privatisation, whilst the second relates to a number of other socio-economic issues, including, what Cosatu describes as:

• The ongoing decline in the number of jobs in the formal sector
• The ongoing decline in the quality of jobs, especially the increase in casualisation
• The increasing poverty of workers and the working class in general
• The rising cost of living, including the increase in food prices and interest rate hikes
• The lack of adequate social security for workers, their dependents who are unemployed and the working class in general.

With regard to the notice on privatisation, Cosatu has indicated that its notice represents a resumption of the protest action that was held last year.

In the notice on broader socio-economic issues, Cosatu indicates that it would direct its protest at the Reserve Bank, Government and Business.

The first meetings to consider the notice have been held, and further meetings are scheduled for 5 September.

Cape Metrorail

After a series of meetings subsequent to a section 77 notice, several agreements have been reached between Cape Metrorail and Cosatu. These include free trains for pensioners once a month, alarm systems being fitted on trains, and a "whistle-blowing" toll-free line has been set up.