Joe Mcgluwa, the ID spokesperson for Sport, has called on the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) to take immediate steps to negotiate a ‘Strike-Free Period" during the 2010 World Cup.

Nedlac is a vehicle where government, labour, business and community organisations can meet to resolve conflicting interests through negotiations and problem-solving. In terms of the Labour Relations Act, Nedlac also has a dispute resolution function between trade unions and government, or business, on socio-economic issues.

The ID MP's comments come after the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) warned that rolling mass action to protest against "massive" Eskom electricity price increases could continue during the 2010 World Cup.

‘The ID has consistently been critical of the electricity price increases, of NERSA's rubber-stamping of Eskom's price increase applications and of Government's shady energy deals, including ANC front company Chancellor House's stake in them,' Mr Mcgluwa says.

‘We also agree with Cosatu when it says that the interests of ordinary South Africans are more important than the World Cup and we support labour's constitutional right to strike.

‘However, the World Cup is also a vital socio-economic opportunity for South Africans, especially considering our huge investments in it,' says Mcgluwa.

‘We therefore believe Nedlac must step in to create a "social dialogue" in order for all role-players to create a "Strike-Free Period" during the 2010 World Cup.

‘Government, business, Cosatu, Nactu, Fedusa and community organisations must show that they are as serious as the rest of us about showcasing our nation for all the world to see,' Mcgluwa says.

The ID Spokesperson warned employers ‘to enter into real negotiations with employees and stop dragging talks out so that they would lead to strikes.

‘Instead, employers must stop playing games and settle as quickly as possible,' he says.