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The mayhem caused by Numsa strikers will lead to a catastrophe of epic proportions, says a small business owner. He writes:
I own a small engineering business, employing 30 staff and none of them belong to a union. We have had to close our business due to the ongoing industrial action.
We bought this business 18 months ago. Six months into the business we were burgled over a weekend. The premises was also vandalised and all our computers, switchboards and alarm systems also had to be replaced.
we suffered an immense loss. The total cost to us was close to R400k and the insurance company paid 50% of the claim.
Due to the computers being stolen, we could not produce for weeks as we needed special dongles from Germany to activate the machines and these were stolen with the computers.
We have just started to get on our feet again and then this strike started.
We have been threatened by members affiliated to the the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and hence we have had to closed. The implication of this is huge.
Each of the 30 staff are in some form bread winners supporting an average of between 4 and 8 dependents across various age groups.
They now have no food, just this morning one of my staff members called to ask for money. The strike is hurting the poorest of the poor.
Our budget for wage increases was done at 7.5%, but we will have to abide by the 10% requested, albeit that it will come at a price of a couple of retrenchments.
We are in the process of negotiating a bond on our property to pay out some staff, and sadly people are going to suffer.
Our country is badly in need of employment and the sad thing is that the union is not interested in addressing labour issues. They are all out to make a political statement.
This entire strike is based on the egos of the leadership of Numsa. They lie about the intimidation and damage.
One can see all the CCTV footage on YouTube where Numa members take off t-shirts before they start vandalising the premises.
The most concerning inaction is that of the South African Police Service (Saps).
Clearly there is no desire from some of the Saps members to stop the wanton destruction of property. We have seen them following groups and then all of a sudden they disappear when the intimidation starts, just to return after the damage is done.
This inaction is also being displayed by our government. How much destruction and suffering will have to take place before someone shows some leadership?
I don't believe we have that capacity in the government, the Saps or the union.
I sincerely hope in some small way my letter can generate some discussion. Take my situation and multiply it by a couple of hundred businesses and the platinum strike and it's aftermath is blown into oblivion.
We are heading for a catastrophe of epic proportions and no one gives a damn to stand up and be counted.
Please help us escalate this to a higher level and maybe our president needs to step up to the plate.
A concerned citizen and business owner
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
I own a small engineering business, employing 30 staff and none of them belong to a union. We have had to close our business due to the ongoing industrial action.
We bought this business 18 months ago. Six months into the business we were burgled over a weekend. The premises was also vandalised and all our computers, switchboards and alarm systems also had to be replaced.
we suffered an immense loss. The total cost to us was close to R400k and the insurance company paid 50% of the claim.
Due to the computers being stolen, we could not produce for weeks as we needed special dongles from Germany to activate the machines and these were stolen with the computers.
We have just started to get on our feet again and then this strike started.
We have been threatened by members affiliated to the the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and hence we have had to closed. The implication of this is huge.
Each of the 30 staff are in some form bread winners supporting an average of between 4 and 8 dependents across various age groups.
They now have no food, just this morning one of my staff members called to ask for money. The strike is hurting the poorest of the poor.
Our budget for wage increases was done at 7.5%, but we will have to abide by the 10% requested, albeit that it will come at a price of a couple of retrenchments.
We are in the process of negotiating a bond on our property to pay out some staff, and sadly people are going to suffer.
Our country is badly in need of employment and the sad thing is that the union is not interested in addressing labour issues. They are all out to make a political statement.
This entire strike is based on the egos of the leadership of Numsa. They lie about the intimidation and damage.
One can see all the CCTV footage on YouTube where Numa members take off t-shirts before they start vandalising the premises.
The most concerning inaction is that of the South African Police Service (Saps).
Clearly there is no desire from some of the Saps members to stop the wanton destruction of property. We have seen them following groups and then all of a sudden they disappear when the intimidation starts, just to return after the damage is done.
This inaction is also being displayed by our government. How much destruction and suffering will have to take place before someone shows some leadership?
I don't believe we have that capacity in the government, the Saps or the union.
I sincerely hope in some small way my letter can generate some discussion. Take my situation and multiply it by a couple of hundred businesses and the platinum strike and it's aftermath is blown into oblivion.
We are heading for a catastrophe of epic proportions and no one gives a damn to stand up and be counted.
Please help us escalate this to a higher level and maybe our president needs to step up to the plate.
A concerned citizen and business owner
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
