Workers not going down without a fight
As over one million public-sector workers prepared to strike for wage increases double the inflation rate, clothing workers in Newcastle earning as little as R90/week took up arms to prevent officials from closing down the mostly Chinese-owned sweatshops where they work.
Last week, the Clothing Industry National Bargaining Council proceeded with a planned crackdown against 47 clothing factories in Newcastle for failing to pay the minimum wage. The factories employ about 4000 people. Council national compliance officer Leon Deetlefs says most are paying R90 - R120/week while the legal minimum is R334/week. Some have been noncompliant for five years and the back-pay owed to workers ranges from R655000 to R1,2m/factory, for the past year alone.
When the Newcastle sheriff attempted to enter the first factory, Wintong Manufacturing, on Thursday last week to execute the first of several labour court writs and attach the company's assets, she was barred. According to Deetlefs, the owner was joined by his staff and workers from neighbouring factories who threatened to kill the sheriff and her staff and torch their vehicles. To prevent violence, the officials withdrew.
But Deetlefs has no intention of backing down. SA has nearly 400 noncompliant clothing manufacturers which have refused, despite an exhaustive legal process by the council, to honour minimum wages and conditions of employment.
In June, it appeared as if the council was getting cold feet over the crackdown. The Newcastle incident is likely to have hardened its resolve. "We've decided we won't be accommodating as before," says Deetlefs. "They're taking business away from compliant firms whose existence is being threatened, so we cannot allow the situation to continue."
Apparel Manufacturers of SA executive director Johann Baard says: "To sacrifice a complying industry employing tens of thousands of workers under conditions of 'decent work', so that employees of noncompliant employers can remain employed in oppressive circumstances, is unconscionable to say the least." The SA Police Service, sheriff's office, Newcastle Chinese Chamber of Commerce, union Sactwu and the council were expected to meet later this week.
Source: Financial Mail
Source: I-Net Bridge
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