06 October 2021
Chamber concerned about planned strike’s knock-on effect on affected sectors and local economy
While the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber recognises the constitutional right of employees to strike or protest, we are very concerned about the knock-on negative impact which the strike in the engineering and steel sector will have on our local economy and in particular on the automotive and construction sectors.
The Nelson Mandela Bay economy has suffered immensely with GDP last year declining to 2010 levels, while unemployment has soared to 40% and covid-19 continues to disrupt the economy with the fourth wave projected to commence in December. This is clearly an untenable situation, coupled together with the issues businesses face on a daily basis in terms of lack of delivery around electricity, water and other essential services.
Business needs a stable environment in which it can operate and key to this is the reliability and stability of labour. Strike actions such as this send a very negative message to the international investors who we want to retain and attract to our city and country.
We appeal to all the parties to swiftly reach resolution on the issues so as to retain investment in our economy and much needed jobs.