Issued by: Government Communication Information System
30 August 2001
[Media Briefing by Ministers Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Membathisi Mdladlana]
The general strike called by Cosatu to protest against "privatisation" comes to an end today.
Government remains of the firm view that the strike was unnecessary.
Indeed, the statements that have been made by the Cosatu leadership in these two days add nothing new to the debate on this issue. More than anything else, crude oversimplifications of the matters at hand serve further to muddy the waters and mislead the public.
At the end of the day, allof us will have to accept that the restructuring of state assets is a complex process, which is aimed at putting our economy on a sound footing and improving the lives of all South Africans. As government has indicated on countless occasions, this is a mandated position deriving from policy documents, in the drafting of which the Cosatu leadership has played an active role.
Further, in all instances where restructuring is taking place, Cosatu affiliates and other unions are being consulted, and are themselves making an input. Restructuring of state assets is more than just "privatisation", and it is aimed at improving the lives of all South Africans, especially the poor.
Government's assessment of the strike confirms that this reality is appreciated by millions of working people. The quantitative breakdown and trend assessment indicate that the percentage of workers who heeded the strike call on the first day does not exceed 30%. The figure is even lower for the second day.
The Public Sector
Most Departments and Provinces as well as service institutions such as hospitals have registered over 80% attendance by workers. In other words, about 20% took part in the strike (see attached).
Public Enterprises
Exact figures in the very enterprises where restructuring is taking place indicate that over 90% went to work on both days. In other words, less than 10% took part in strike action.
The Private Sector
A survey of most sectors shows that they are running at close to full capacity. Factoring out alternative arrangements, actual attendance can be estimated at 70%; that is, about 30% took part in the strike.
From these facts and figures, it is quite clear that the general strike has not enjoyed overwhelming support among workers and other sectors of the population. As such, the impact of the strike on economic activity and macroeconomic indicators has been minimal.
We are also relieved as government - as indeed would be the overwhelming majority of South Africans - that the strike has not in any significant way impacted on preparations for the UN World Conference Against Racism and related events.
What is most disheartening, though, is the fact that in a few areas, teaching and learning were severely disrupted. This again undermines the efforts to build a better future for our children, especially those in disadvantaged areas who are the victims of a legacy that we seek to eradicate.
Overall, we wish to thank the workers of our country, the majority of whom have shown a grasp of the issues at hand. It is also appreciated that the strike took place without major negative incidents.
This assessment by government, of the impact of the strike, is not meant as a celebration of "a failed general strike" or of misplaced tactics by the leadership of Cosatu and those who joined them in this protest action.
We remain convinced that strong and active trade unions and other structures of civil society are a critical element in forging the kind of popular democracy that South Africa is endeavouring to build. However, such strength should reside, among other things, in the ability honestly to inform the public about complex and difficult issues that the process of transformation has to address.
After the general strike - and in spite of its minimal impact -discussions will have to be held both in enterprises where restructuring is taking place, and at other levels to clarify the conceptual issues.
This was the understanding even before the strike.
To reiterate: Government believes that the strike was not necessary. Our door remains open for further discussion.
30 August 2001
Issued by: Government Communications
ANNEXURE:
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Indications are that the impact of the two-day strike called by Cosatu on the public service has been minimal. Basically departments and provinces were operating normally. However, certain levels of absenteeism were experienced in some sectors. The following reflects a broad overview based on statistics received for the second day of he strike.
Free State 90% attendance except for Department of Agriculture that experienced at least 80% of absenteeism.
Mpumalanga 95% attendance except for Department of Public Works, Roads, and Transport at regional level.
North West 98% attendance
Gauteng 65% attendance
Kwa-Zulu Natal Overall provincial 90% attendance; Durban and Pietermaritzburg 70% attendance.
Western Cape 91% attendance
Eastern Cape 35% attendance
Northern Cape 87,2% attendance
Northern Province No figures as yet (estimated 90% attendance)
PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Name of SOE Total number of workers Number of those who stayed away on Day1 of the strike % of those who stayed away on Day1 of the strike Number of those who stayed away on Day 2 of the strike % of those who stayed away on Day1 of the strike:
Transnet 70 000 7084 10,1% 6 234 8,9%
Eskom 34 000 1038 3,1% 400 (9H00) 1,2%
Telkom 43 364 4 704 10,8% 4 770 11,0%
Denel 10 450 1 265 12,1% 1 098 10,5%
TOTAL 157 814 14 091 8,9% 12 502 7,9%