The Minister of Labour, Mrs Mildred Oliphant has condemned violence in the on-going motor industry strike and has also called on parties to speed up negotiations and where necessary, embrace mediation.
She said: “Our laws guarantee the right to protest. However, every right must be exercised with responsibility. There is no reason whatsoever for industrial action to be accompanied by violence.
“I therefore urge those that are involved in these acts of violence to refrain from such behaviour. This undermines genuine workers’ demands and peaceful collective bargaining. The trade union leadership has a responsibility to call upon their members to exercise discipline during the protest action.
“I further call on parties in the motor industry to genuinely seek resolution to their impasse. It is neither in the interest of workers nor employers or the economy as a whole for parties to continue with a protracted industrial action. I have requested the CCMA to assist parties in finding peaceful resolution to their labour dispute and I expect them to engage and co-operate with the CCMA.
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