Numsa general secretary, Irvin Jim, creates the impression that there is disparity between the wages of black and white workers whilst that is not the case. His insinuation in this regard is blatantly untruthful.
Jim says that 'black' workers in the metal industry are earning between R3 000 and R4 000 a month; the truth is that the 'cost to company' of employing an unskilled and inexperienced worker in this industry ranges between
R8 000 and R9 000 per month.
Primary steel producer
Neasa chief executive Gerhard Papenfus says the Numsa/Seifsa approach is unless an employer can produce a product that justifies paying a worker at least R100 000 per annum (the cost to the company) for a 40 hour week, escalating at a compounded rate of 10% per year, rather give that product to China to manufacture.
The Numsa/Seifsa approach also does not differentiate between an employer who is a primary steel producer in an economic hub in South Africa or a small downstream manufacturer in a rural area.
Papenfus says Jim also fails to mention that, according to Numsa itself, the manufacturing sector has lost 250 000 jobs over the last five years. This can be largely attributed to the repeated employer and industry hostile agreements Numsa has entered into with the employer federation Seifsa.
Prime collaborators of big business
The Numsa/ Seifsa alliance has more than anything else lead to the decline of the metal industry.
"Perhaps Jim does not even realise it, but he and his union have become prime collaborators of big business with no regard to the survival of small business and the people they employ", says Papenfus.
Using the race card is morally bankrupt in this scenario, Papenfus went on to say. Whilst Neasa was fighting against the ravages of monopoly capitalism, Numsa accused Neasa and the employers it represents (SMME's) of raw racism.