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The Star reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has slammed the draft National Minimum Wage (NMW) Bill as an attack on the working class and an attempt to create a “pool of cheap labour”.
This came after the Department of Labour released the much-anticipated bill, which proposes a NMW of R20 per hour. Numsa spokeswoman Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said: “The ANC-led government is attacking the working class with changes to the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and it intends to implement the National Minimum Wage Bill. Together these changes are an attack on the working class and families because they reduce the hard-won rights which workers fought and died for under apartheid. One of the greatest threats to the working class is the proposal to limit the right to strike.” The NMW bill is expected to be signed into law by 1 May. The union said it would work with various stakeholders to fight the implementation of the bill. Majola also indicated: “We are working with progressive, left, pro-working class movements to defend the rights of all workers. Together with the Casual Workers Advice Office, Lawyers for Human Rights, United Front, General Industries Workers Union of SA and other working class movements we will fight to protect the right to strike.”
- Read more of this report by Mary Jane Mphahlele at SA Labour News
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page