The revised motor industry development programme (MIDP) may still in every inch advance urgently-needed job creation, research investment and work security.
For the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) it is the only way forward if the future of auto industry is to be sheltered and maintain tenability.
And the metalworkers’ giant union however, express disgust and deep- sense of betrayal by the government-initiated MIDP review discussion paper for its failure to examine its (MIDP’s) past performance in relation to job creation, skills and technological transfer and addressing among others, national industrial strategy framework.
Surprisingly, the government standpoint in the review process is extremely disquieting and depicts an “untenable and indefensible situation” where business hopes, seemingly by force took priority over concerns and interests of the majority of other stakeholders, including labour.
Numsa, in anticipation of the detailed programme announcement review later this month, therefore calls upon the Department of Trade and Industry to reflect on employment creation, shared growth and profit, including other major challenges for the poor in relation to industry diversity and inefficient transport system.
In engaging with government proposals, Numsa further insist in its submission:-
That any MIDP job expansion must satisfy the makeup of quality, decent and secured jobs. MIDP beneficiaries should invest a percentage of their profit to guarantee workers full wages during short-time and may not utilize labour brokers or temporary workers. And that MIDP subsidy should be used to address broad-based black economic empowerment.
Numsa further demand that government increase duty rates on imported vehicles up to 80% as is the case in Thailand. And that the Trade and Industry Ministry should impose a limit on a number of fully imported vehicles and tyres flooding the South African market, is a matter of grave urgency.
South Africa must learn from countries that have experienced the same predicament on how they have used tariffs to protect their industries and firmly defend our national interest if we are to drive industrial agenda that serves all its citizens.
For further information contact:
Mziwakhe Hlangani, Numsa national spokesperson
Cell phone: 082 9407116
Source
Numsa News