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Cape Town - Small business owners fear they may have to close shop and emigrate amid escalating violence and as striking workers in the metals industry go on the rampage.
Around 200 000 Numsa members have downed tools since July 1 in demand of better wages and working conditions in the metal industry.
However, the strike has been marred by violence and threatens to bring the metals sector to a collapse, further damaging the economy.
Several complaints have been reported that workers not participating in the strike are being intimidated, while work premises are also being severely vandalised.
Read: Strikers have carte blanche to destroy - SME owner
An owner of a metal factory in Sebenza wrote to Fin24 saying that his staff are scared to pitch up for work. "We are not part of any union but our staff is too afraid to come to work."
He also wanted to know if employees can sue Numsa for loss of wages and the company for loss of profits.
Another small business owner told Fin24 that most metal suppliers and engineering shops in the industrial areas of Sebenza and Eastleigh are closed.
However, he added that some are "limping along behind closed shutters until union 'members' locate them".
"Strikers are demanding their way into premises, with [South African Police Service] Saps in tow in Edenvale, so that unions can search premises for workers."
He wanted to know why the police are placating the strikers instead of stopping them. These concerns were also expressed to Fin24 by other small business owners who experienced the same.
Read: Heavy intimidation in metal strike
"These strikers literally start making threats and trying to pull gates down, if you don't let them search."
He views the violence and intimidation as a matter of national importance. "I don't think you realise just how bad the intimidation has gotten and the sheer damage being done to the economy."
He said the knock-on effect from steel suppliers, through to those manufacturing components for essential services is now affected. The operations of Auto giants General Motors, Ford and Toyota have also be impacted.
"My business is on the verge of collapsing because of this strike and the employment of seven qualified people with it."
Time to shut down?
"It is high time to up sticks and emigrate."
Meanwhile, Numsa said in a statement on Wednesday that it will intensify its strike action peacefully.
"We have put in place extra measures to ensure that all our actions and pickets are peaceful," said spokesperson Castro Ngobese.
Ninety eight protestors have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property since the strike started.
- Fin24
Around 200 000 Numsa members have downed tools since July 1 in demand of better wages and working conditions in the metal industry.
However, the strike has been marred by violence and threatens to bring the metals sector to a collapse, further damaging the economy.
Several complaints have been reported that workers not participating in the strike are being intimidated, while work premises are also being severely vandalised.
Read: Strikers have carte blanche to destroy - SME owner
An owner of a metal factory in Sebenza wrote to Fin24 saying that his staff are scared to pitch up for work. "We are not part of any union but our staff is too afraid to come to work."
He also wanted to know if employees can sue Numsa for loss of wages and the company for loss of profits.
Another small business owner told Fin24 that most metal suppliers and engineering shops in the industrial areas of Sebenza and Eastleigh are closed.
However, he added that some are "limping along behind closed shutters until union 'members' locate them".
"Strikers are demanding their way into premises, with [South African Police Service] Saps in tow in Edenvale, so that unions can search premises for workers."
He wanted to know why the police are placating the strikers instead of stopping them. These concerns were also expressed to Fin24 by other small business owners who experienced the same.
Read: Heavy intimidation in metal strike
"These strikers literally start making threats and trying to pull gates down, if you don't let them search."
He views the violence and intimidation as a matter of national importance. "I don't think you realise just how bad the intimidation has gotten and the sheer damage being done to the economy."
He said the knock-on effect from steel suppliers, through to those manufacturing components for essential services is now affected. The operations of Auto giants General Motors, Ford and Toyota have also be impacted.
"My business is on the verge of collapsing because of this strike and the employment of seven qualified people with it."
Time to shut down?
"It is high time to up sticks and emigrate."
Meanwhile, Numsa said in a statement on Wednesday that it will intensify its strike action peacefully.
"We have put in place extra measures to ensure that all our actions and pickets are peaceful," said spokesperson Castro Ngobese.
Ninety eight protestors have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property since the strike started.
- Fin24
