The National union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in Kwa-Zulu Natal has noted that the ANC Youth League in the General Gizenga Mpanza Region is attempting to hijack the very serious issue of short-time at Hesto Harnesses which manufactures wiring harnesses for the Toyota Plant in Kwa-Dukuza. In its desperation to appear relevant, the ANCYL in the area makes the false claim that NUMSA is ‘silent’ and by implication has done nothing to intervene in the plight of workers at the company.
These are the facts. Hesto Harnesses was severely affected by the declining volumes at Toyota which led to the decision to place workers on short-time and this has affected the entire value chain. The reduction in production hours, means that workers are paid significantly less because they are working far fewer hours. This situation was made worse when the plant was shut down temporarily between March and April this year.
NUMSA intervened by engaging the employer at Hesto, and also, engaging the Department of Employment and Labour for financial relief. Applications were made for workers to claim from the Unemployment Insurance Fund so that those monies could assist members for the financial short-fall created by the decline in volumes at Toyota and has affected all suppliers to the auto company.
The DoEL took long to process the claims and there were several delays, but eventually the claims were processed. At least 2920 applications for UIF were made, out of that, 2369 have been processed and approved for payment. Approximately 33 do not have sufficient funds to be able to claim from UIF, and we have been informed that approximately 518 applications are still outstanding and the payments have not been finalized, however, we expect that to be resolved soon.
We just want to set the record straight that the challenges faced by workers on this issue were thoroughly dealt with, because of the speedy intervention of NUMSA. Which is why, even this week, department officials are at the company to engage workers on a one-on-one basis to clear the back log and ensure that all payments are up to date.
We have been informed that the ANCYL has planned a march to the offices of the DoEL over this issue in a desperate attempt appear important. The constitution of the country allows people to march and we will not stop the ANCYL on its foolhardy mission to march against themselves, as laughable as that might seem. They are marching against their own government and their own ministers and they have an unfortunate history of doing this, in spite of how ridiculous it makes them seem. It is clear the ANCYL is grand standing and hoping to benefit from political mileage from this issue.
NUMSA is a reality driven union. We are driven by our understanding of the frustrations that are confronting our members and we are alive to the challenges of the job losses that come with the neo-liberal Government of National Unity that supports profit maximization at the expense of job creation. As a result of this we have engaged with all stakeholders in the automotive sector with a view of finding solutions to protect jobs. We have done whatever is necessary to defend the sector and existing jobs, and we have consulted widely with all stakeholders, whilst political parties were busy making slogans about job losses. NUMSA is a trade union and does not intend to become a political party that scores cheap political points.
Furthermore, NUMSA will continue to do the work of defending workers and their conditions, like we have always done, and we will not be distracted by opportunists, with no political program or agenda.
ENDS
Issued by Mzamo Khoza
NUMSA Regional Secretary Kwa-Zulu Natal
0784568307
For more information please contact:
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
NUMSA National Spokesperson
0833767725
NUMSA Head Office number: 0116891700
NUMSA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NumsaSocial
NUMSA Twitter account: @Numsa_Media
NUMSA Website: https://numsa.org.za/