Concerns rise over job losses at SA's major companies

FAILURE to manage the privatisation of state-owned enterprises and a lack of political will are some of the reasons trade unions and political parties have raised as key factors in the monumental job losses affecting various industries in South Africa.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

With close to 4 000 jobs on the line at South Africa's largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal South Africa, the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has raised her concerns over the job losses in the country.

Meth stated that these job losses, in light of the job losses at Goodyear SA and Ford Motor Company, and other entities, are deeply concerning.

ArcelorMittal South Africa said on Tuesday that it is taking preparatory steps towards the potential closure of the long steel business, which includes communication with employees and, if required, the issuing of notices in terms of the Labour Relations Act. This affects its long steel plants in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, and Vereeniging.

The steel giant stated that talks with the government to find alternative solutions had stalled.