Solidarity: ARC turns a blind eye to the fate of employees
20 July 2021
Solidarity today accused the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of being stubborn and of acting indifferently towards its employees. This comes after Solidarity has refused to accept the 0% salary increase tabled by ARC.
According to Solidarity, ARC is acting in an indifferent way towards the fate of its employees by undermining any negotiations in this regard. ARC argues that no increases are presently granted by any state structures and that it, too, will therefore not grant its employees increases. However, Solidarity together with NEHAWU, disputes this view, contending that it is well-known that several other state-related organisations have granted increases to employees. ARC employees have not received increases in the past few years.
“It is absurd that these employees have to endure yet another year without an increase. While inflation, and thus also the cost of living, are on the increase workers become poorer. ARC has decided to maintain a 0% increase offer and flatly refuses to come to the table with any proposals or to shift its target. No attempt to reach consensus is even made. Such stance can be regarded as nothing but malicious,” says Riaan Visser, Deputy Chief Executive of Solidarity’s Mining, Agriculture and Chemical Sectors.
According to an audit commissioned by ARC, 62% of its employees are already looking for jobs elsewhere. Solidarity points out that it has tried on numerous occasions already to negotiate with ARC and has even put turnaround plans on the table on several occasions. However, this organisation refuses to pay attention to it or to take steps to turn its financial position around.
“That the management is not serious about its task to look after its employees is cause for concern. ARC is a hugely important body that plays a major role in agriculture and food security in South Africa. Amid the crisis that is currently unfolding in the country this body is of cardinal importance, yet it would appear as if the ARC is not too concerned about matters and even refuses to accept its responsibilities.
“The problem is no different from the ongoing problem that exists at every other state institution: poor governance and decision-making together with an unwillingness to act in a concerted manner and to ensure that the institution makes progress are also the order of the day here. The management merely sits with folded hands, thinking up excurses instead of remunerating employees or making an effort to turn the institution around. It is unacceptable that employees must get the short end of the stick, especially when unhappiness and the refusal of increases need not be the case. Neither Solidarity nor NEHAWU accepts ARC’s refusal to grant increases and will continue to fight against the exploitation of members,” Visser concludes.
Issued by Riaan Visser, Deputy Chief Executive: Mining, Agriculture and Chemical Sectors, 20 July 2021
