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Cape Town - Employers and workers are facing intense intimidation and vandalism as a wage strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) enters a third week.
The government is yet again set to hold talks to help end the labour dispute that threatens to further damage an ailing economy.
Numsa has rebuffed wage offers from the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA (Seifsa) and the National Employers Association of SA (Neasa).
However, while union leaders and employer bodies have been negotiating, workers have been going on the rampage.
Fin24 has been inundated with claims of violence and intimidation during the march.
A user who works for a company in Alrode, south of Johannesburg, said they have closed shop since last week.
"Strikers forced us to leave the premises on Monday last week and we haven’t been allowed to return to work since then."
He said, as a result of the strike, they are now losing out on wages.
Another user suffered the same fate. "We aren't even allowed to work in our office," he said.
He said his business is struggling since operations came to a halt.
"We have not been able to get work out, therefore our business cannot cope. We will rather close our doors."
Another owner whose business is located in Germiston said employers and property owners have no rights. "Only the strikers have carte blanche to destroy."
His employees wanted to work but have been threatened and intimidated. "They have now lost three weeks' wages."
He said protestors, accompanied by the police, damaged fences and broke windows.
"Saps [South African Police Service] did nothing," he said.
This claim comes despite National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega vowing to clamp down on violent protests. However, since the strike started, 98 protesters have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property.
The user also warned that the future of manufacturing facilities in South Africa is bleak.
"I predict that many small companies will not reopen once the strike is over, resulting in massive job losses."
Here are some images of vandalism sent to Fin24:
- Fin24
Has your business been affected by the metal strike? Let us know.
The government is yet again set to hold talks to help end the labour dispute that threatens to further damage an ailing economy.
Numsa has rebuffed wage offers from the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA (Seifsa) and the National Employers Association of SA (Neasa).
However, while union leaders and employer bodies have been negotiating, workers have been going on the rampage.
Fin24 has been inundated with claims of violence and intimidation during the march.
A user who works for a company in Alrode, south of Johannesburg, said they have closed shop since last week.
"Strikers forced us to leave the premises on Monday last week and we haven’t been allowed to return to work since then."
He said, as a result of the strike, they are now losing out on wages.
Another user suffered the same fate. "We aren't even allowed to work in our office," he said.
He said his business is struggling since operations came to a halt.
"We have not been able to get work out, therefore our business cannot cope. We will rather close our doors."
Another owner whose business is located in Germiston said employers and property owners have no rights. "Only the strikers have carte blanche to destroy."
His employees wanted to work but have been threatened and intimidated. "They have now lost three weeks' wages."
He said protestors, accompanied by the police, damaged fences and broke windows.
"Saps [South African Police Service] did nothing," he said.
This claim comes despite National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega vowing to clamp down on violent protests. However, since the strike started, 98 protesters have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property.
The user also warned that the future of manufacturing facilities in South Africa is bleak.
"I predict that many small companies will not reopen once the strike is over, resulting in massive job losses."
Here are some images of vandalism sent to Fin24:
- Fin24
Has your business been affected by the metal strike? Let us know.
