Arguing that the right to strike is enshrined in our constitution and strike action is a functioning mechanism of collective bargaining is ignoring the obvious and avoiding reality. South
Africa is on its knees. The stakes are higher than they have ever been. Our economy is under siege as it battles a job, growth and hunger crisis. A devastating 63.9% of South Africans under the age of 24 are unemployed, consumer inflation is at a 13 year high
and one in four people live below the food poverty line.
A full-blown strike at Transnet, which seems unavoidable, will have a serious effect on the economy, it will halt exports and put thousands of jobs on the line. Under the current harsh economic climate, Transnet as with Eskom, is crucial to the country’s economy.
Transnet’s rail and port facilities are key to exporting the country’s bulk commodity exports such as coal, iron ore, chrome and manganese.
Exporters rely heavily on efficient rail networks and ports, but as we know, Transnet has been operating below capacity for years as it grapples with a shortage of locomotives, cable theft, vandalism, poor maintenance and outdated and slow port infrastructure.
This substandard service has had a significant impact on the local steel industry and its ability to manufacture steel to meet its customers’ demands. In some instances, primary steel producers have had to shut down operating plants due to the unavailability
of raw materials, at great cost to their businesses and the economy.
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