VIOLENCE IN LABOUR ARENA

VIOLENCE IN LABOUR ARENA

by Jaco Swart

Dear employer

The recent reports of two transport companies, Bogdans and Elf Transport, closing down due to alleged violence, destruction of property and intimidation by employees, has again cast the spotlight on an increasing trend in the South African labour relations arena.

The closure of these companies resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs and left thousands of dependents destitute.

It is a worrying trend in the labour market that violence seems to be the preferred method of employees, often incited by the trade unions they belong to, to “resolve” a dispute with the employer.

South Africa already has an extremely stringent and draconic labour relations framework under which employers have to operate and which provides for a multitude of processes employees may utilize in order to address and resolve disputes. The Labour Relations Act also provides for a comprehensive collective bargaining framework, which is protected ferociously by Government and trade unions alike, yet it is exactly this kind of violent behaviour outside of the collective bargaining forums which threatens the legitimacy and existence of bargaining councils.

One of the main benefits of collective bargaining, or so it is claimed, is that it promotes labour peace in a particular industry. In the transport industry, this is clearly not the case. The transport industry has for years been suffering the brunt of rogue organisations and unions that display a total disregard for bargaining council structures and its agreements and simply burn, threaten, assault and pillage in order to get their way.

It does not matter what the merits of a particular dispute may be, violence and destruction of property may never be the answer and cannot be excused.

Despite numerous engagements with the relevant Ministers regarding these attacks, no action has been taken by the Government to address these criminal elements that threaten the economy, jobs and the existence of a very important sector of the economy. These criminal actions, if left unchecked, will simply escalate as a result of the freedom provided to perpetrate these crimes and the complete lack of consequences.

Is it not ironic that the inaction of government may well be the reason for the collapse of the collective bargaining system it holds so dearly?

Jaco Swart is the National Manager of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA).

NEASA 24/7 NATIONAL HOTLINE: 086 016 3272
legalhotline@neasa.co.za
(please have your membership number at hand)

For more information:
NEASA Media Department
media@neasa.co.za

We are all in this together.
Privileged and challenged to be South African.