Trade union Solidarity will launch its “Save Our Steel” (SOS) campaign on Thursday, 30 March 2017. The steel industry in South Africa is experiencing economic hardship due to a drastic slowdown in the growth of the local economy, cost pressure in the manufacturing sector, and excessively high steel imports.

According to Marius Croucamp, Solidarity’s Deputy General Secretary for the Metal and Engineering Industry, these factors have had a devastating impact on the South African steel industry. “Numerous local steel companies either scaled down by retrenching thousands of workers or closed down completely, leaving scores of employees without refuge,” said Croucamp.

According to Croucamp the primary objective of the SOS campaign is to help save the South African steel industry.  The campaign aims to create public awareness of the challenges facing the local industry, lobby public support, to foster alignment between the primary and down-stream industry and help build synergy between them. “The goal is to lobby support for industry initiatives and to stimulate engagement that will lead to action that will assist in saving the local steel industry,” said Croucamp.

This campaign will target the public, industry players, government, the media, union members and structures, and workers in the industry.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the campaign launch.

Where: Akademia, 284 Von Willich Avenue, Centurion
When: Thursday, 30 March 2017
Time: 10:00
RSVP: Wilmarie Brits
           082 041 4451
wilmarie@solidariteit.co.za