Pretoria – Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has condemned the violence in the on-going motor industry strike, and has also called on parties to speed up negotiations.
Oliphant said the country’s laws guarantee the right to protest, but cautioned that every right must be exercised with responsibility.
“I therefore urge those that are involved in these acts of violence to refrain from such behaviour.
“This undermines genuine workers’ demands and peaceful collective bargaining. The trade union leadership has a responsibility to call upon their members to exercise discipline during the protest action,” she said.
The minister urged parties in the motor industry to genuinely seek resolution to their impasse, saying it was neither in the interest of workers and employers nor the economy for parties to continue with a protracted industrial action.
“I have requested the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to assist parties in finding peaceful resolution to their labour dispute and I expect them to engage and co-operate with the CCMA,” Oliphant said, adding that where necessary, parties must embrace mediation. – SAnews.gov.za
