Numsa to present alternatives to Macsteel's retrenchment plan amid ongoing negotiations

THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is set to deliver a formal proposal on Monday that includes a series of alternatives to retrenchments at Macsteel Service Centres South Africa.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

This initiative aims to establish a voluntary severance framework that respects the dignity of workers while considering the current socioeconomic challenges they face.

On Saturday, Numsa called on management at Macsteel to abandon its unilateral measures and return to the negotiation table in good faith.

This plea follows Macsteel's announcement last month that it has taken the difficult decision to enter into a process of restructuring, which may affect a number of its operations and employees.

The company said the global steel and manufacturing sectors have undergone significant changes over the past few years, and neither South Africa nor it have been immune to these challenges.

"Over the past years, the company has implemented a number of measures to address the concerns arising from this global context.

However, it is now felt that further action is unavoidable," Mcsteel said then.