SACCI CALLS FOR OPENING OF TOLL PLAZAS DURING INDUSTRIAL ACTION

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) is concerned at the impact that the strike action at toll plazas has on the movement of goods and persons on South African roads. The greater proportion of South African goods is transported by road. Unwarranted traffic delays have the potential to impact negatively particularly on exports as deadlines for loading cargoes onto ships at ports could be missed. 

SACCI regards it as unacceptable that a labour union initiates an illegal strike when existing regulations provide extensive protection for industrial action. Engaging in an unprotected strike corrodes the respect for law to the detriment of the whole of South Africa. The South African business community is committed to complying with labour legislation. It is therefore a relatively small request that labour unions follow due process if they want to organize industrial action. 

The South African economy needs a collaborative effort by business, labour and government to ensure that the objectives of job creation and economic growth are realized. Illegal strike action makes it difficult to achieve these objectives. 

SACCI therefore calls for a speedy resolution to the labour dispute in the interests of economic activity. SACCI proposes that in the interim where congestion occurs, toll booms be opened to smooth the flow of traffic. 

Statement issued by CEO of SACCI, Mr Neren Rau, January 9 2012

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