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Solidarity identified economic growth as the most critical requirement for industrial development, job protection and job creation during a presentation to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Portfolio Committee.

The Portfolio Committee hosted a three-day workshop this week to discuss the government’s 2026 Industrial Development Plan.

According to Marius Croucamp, Solidarity’s deputy general secretary for strategy, we must guard against government policies that hamper job opportunities and investments.

“The thousands of job opportunities in the mining industry have been lost, and investments in the industry have come to a standstill as a result of the implementation of policies that discourage investment and destroy jobs.

“We must be careful not to repeat these mistakes,” says Croucamp.

The presentation highlighted how the transition to a green economy poses a risk to workers currently working in vulnerable sectors such as coal, a sector that employs thousands of people.

Solidarity emphasised that the current economy and job opportunities must be protected to ensure a just transition to a green economy.

The steel industry was identified as a critical sector in Solidarity’s presentation, requiring better management and implementation of the steel master plan.

Concerns were raised about the industrial development plan’s focus on knock-down kits (CKD kits) for the automotive industry, meaning cars will be imported partially or completely as parts and only assembled in South Africa.

Solidarity believes that this undermines true manufacturing because South African raw materials or component manufacturers will not be used. This will result in job opportunities in these sectors not being retained or created.

Eskom’s expensive electricity tariffs, which are limiting production, as well as the upcoming gas crisis where gas sources from Mozambique are already drying up, were also put on the table.

Solidarity has called for an urgent review of electricity costs and for an alternative gas supply to be secured as a matter of urgency.

Support for the turnaround of Transnet and Denel was welcomed in Solidarity’s presentation.

Issued by Solidarity