Minister Brown must prevent Numsa strike at Eskom

30 June 2014

National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has indicated that they will embark on an indefinite strike on the 1 July 2014. Approximately 10 000 Eskom workers may also down tools, joining a strike of 200 000 workers, which could have a serious negative impact on the South African economy. 

The Department of Public Enterprises must take all steps within the ambit of the law to prevent the pending strike at Eskom. We accordingly urge Public Enterprise Minister, Lynne Brown, to obtain a court interdict, to halt Numsa strike action at Eskom in particular.

Employees at Eskom, according to Section 66 of the Labour Relations Act and Essential Services Committee, are essential service providers and therefore it is illegal for them to engage in strike action. 

The DA remains committed to the protection of workers' constitutional right to engage in lawful strike action, however, a balance must be struck between workers' right to strike and the need to preserve the supply of basic services.

Protest action at the state enterprise will, most certainly, lead to greater instability in the provision of stable power - increasing the possibility of rolling blackouts. It will furthermore compromise Eskom's capacity to deliver stable electricity supply to millions of South African hospitals, homes and businesses. 

This cannot be allowed to take place. 

We urge the Minister to act now so that the law is upheld and South Africans will not have their most basic services denied to them. 

Statement issued by Natasha Michael MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, June 30 2014

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