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Strikes set business back from peer countries

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Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber comments on the cessation of the NUMSA strike:

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber expresses its relief on behalf of business at the reprieve granted by the ending of the four- week long NUMSA strike in the metals and engineering sector on Monday 28 July 2014.

Prolonged strikes cost South Africa in a number of ways, not least in terms of reputational damage and South Africa’s attractiveness as a foreign direct investment destination. Productivity has suffered significantly under the pressures of this month-long strike, and every effort should now be made to get companies back on track, to make up for lost time and repair some of the considerable damage done to the South African economy.

It is imperative – in the face of numerous challenges that include a scarcity of key skills, the perception of an unstable labour force, unreliable water and electricity infrastructure, and a lack of investment incentives – that the role of the private sector be firmly acknowledged as vital to the sustainability and competitiveness of the South African economy. Organised business advocates a collaborative and co-operative approach from all stakeholders, to ensure that workable, sustainable solutions are found to avoid such prolonged strike action in the future.

South Africa can ill-afford these types of action if we are to ensure economic growth in line with our peer countries, to create the much-needed jobs to address both unemployment and poverty.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.