Cosatu and its affiliates have always played a fundamental role in labour relations in South Africa. The internal problems confronting the organisation have impacts beyond their immediate constituency. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) believes that the expulsion of Mr Zwelinzima Vavi from Cosatu poses a number of challenges for business, not least the determination of the structure that it should recognise as being representative of employees. SACCI hopes that the dissention in Cosatu’s ranks will not inhibit progress in wage negotiations that take place annually. It is ironic that the news of Vavi breaks on the day that it is anticipated that the Report on Marikana will be handed to the State President.

The current South African business climate remains precarious and certainty in the operating environment, which includes labour, is required to ensure sustainability. Business believes that stability and continuity in the labour relations environment is essential for investment confidence in South Africa and in order to achieve the imperatives of job creation, poverty alleviation, empowerment and economic growth that the country faces.

SACCI appeals to the various labour unions to exercise caution and diplomacy in their responses to the current tribulations that organised labour is encountering.

 

Issued by SACCI