SACTWU TABLES NOTICE OF PROTEST ACTION REGARDING JOB
LOSSES IN THE CLOTHING,TEXTILE AND LEATHER INDUSTRY
7 August 2003
The Cosatu-affiliated Southern African Clothing and Textile
Workers Union, Sactwu, today tabled a notice to Nedlac of possible
protest action regarding job losses in the clothing, textile and
leather industry
The notice is directed at retailers and their banks and asset
managers.
Sactwu says the reasons for the possible protest action include
the sourcing decisions of retailers. It says that retailers are
importing articles that are available locally. It also argues that
pricing policies of retailers towards manufacturers are causing job
losses, and that many retailers are shifting their sourcing to low
wage areas and exploiting workers in the informal sector. In terms
of the suppliers of capital, Sactwu says that these benefit from
the sourcing practices of retailers, and can have leverage or
influence over the corporate behaviour of workers
The notice will be forwarded to Nedlac's Standing Committee on
Section 77 notices, which will give an opinion on whether the
notice meets the criteria for Section 77 protest action as set out
in the Labour Relations Act. If the committee finds that it does
meet the criteria, a meeting of the union and the parties specified
in the notice will be called
Background
The notice was tabled in terms of Section 77 of the Labour
Relations Act, which allows registered trade unions or federations
of trade unions to undertake protest action to promote and protect
the social and economic interests of workers, if they follow
certain procedures. Before embarking on protest action, the trade
union concerned is required to serve notice on Nedlac stating the
reasons for the protest action and the intended nature of the
protest action. The Act requires the Nedlac parties to meet with
the trade union and the parties at whom the notice is directed, to
consider the issues raised. Should the issues remain unresolved
after thorough consideration, workers are entitled to participate
in protected protest action 14 days after serving a second notice
on Nedlac of their intention to proceed with the action.
Issued by Nedlac
Jennifer Wilson
083 652 8524