Employing Cuban technicians lead to unnecessary job losses – Solidarity

7 January 2016

Trade union Solidarity today chastised Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for her decision to outsource the South African Defence Force (SANDF’s) vehicle maintenance and repair work to Cuban technicians.

This follows after VME Group, the company previously contracted to do this work, recently informed trade unions that they would be implementing major restructuring because of the SANDF’s decision to terminate its contract with the company.

“With the narrow unemployment rate currently standing at 25,27%, it is outrageous that the Minister is prepared to recruit foreign skills instead of employing South Africans who have the necessary skills and knowledge to do the work,” SolidarityGeneral Secretary Gideon du Plessis said.

According to Du Plessis, about 150 jobs will be affected by this process. “The VME Group handled the repairs of the SANDF’s vehicles for 20 years and it has 100% black shareholding as well,” Du Plessis said.

“Apart from the fact that the use of Cuban technicians cost taxpayers R1,5 million per vehicle as opposed to R100 000 per vehicle locally, the Cubans only managed to get 21 of the required 3 600 vehicles ready for combat; in the past the norm was 3 000 vehicles per year,” Du Plessis explained.

“South Africans are struggling in the current economic conditions and the minister’s loyalty to South Africa and its citizens will be put to the test. We urge the Defence Minister to immediately cease using Cuban technicians,” Du Plessis stressed.

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary: Solidarity, 7 January 2016