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Business Times reports that two trade unions representing employees of Transnet-run ports have opposed the selection of a strategic equity partner to help develop Durban’s container terminal.
Last Monday, Transnet announced the Philippine company International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) as the preferred bidder for a 25-year joint venture with Transnet Port Terminals to develop and upgrade Durban Container Terminal Pier 2. However, the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) accused Transnet of bringing in the company before concluding consultations. “This shows the disrespect that Transnet management has shown to labour and their disregard [for] engaging in a meaningful consultation process,” the unions said in a joint statement. They also accused ICTSI of violating human rights where it operated, a charge the company has denied. Transnet group spokesperson Ayanda Shezi denied shutting out the unions and advised: “Consultations with unions commenced in August 2021. A joint task team was formed including Satawu and Untu at the level of their general secretaries and full-time shop stewards. A transaction adviser was appointed independently advising labour, and all information was shared throughout the process.” Responding to queries, ICTSI said it was wrong for the unions to suggest it had a poor human rights record. “This is a highly regulated industry where human rights and labour rights are quite rightly upheld and ICTSI is a member of the UN Global Compact and supports the UN SDGs [sustainable development goals],” the operator advised. It claimed that it had a track record of “operating successfully in difficult environments” and that in ports where it operated it had expanded the capacity of the terminals, invested in technology and people, and improved supply chain processes.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Business Times (subscriber access only)
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