SA union COSATU to strike in June against clothing job losses

26 May '05

2 min read

the deteriorating job situation in the clothing industry due to cheap textile importations from china has forced the congress of south african trade unions (cosatu) to start strike action in june.

the action that is expected to begin june 27 will run through february next year, in face of mounting job losses in this sector in particular.

cpsatu general secretary zwelinzima vavi announced this at a press conference in johannesburg thursday, seeking strong measures to end the over-valuation of the rand as also for review of government's trade strategy and interest rates negotiations with reserve bank.

"the world trade organisation provides for special safeguard measures to protect industries under threat from chinese imports, or from elsewhere. these measures must be applied urgently to save the clothing industry," he said.

earlier, edcon group had attacked the union demands against which vavi threatened to call on workers to withdraw investments made by them in the group.

he said there was still time till june 27 by which time edcon could change its mind.

"if mining companies want to change their minds in terms of retrenching as the first option we are open to discussion...

vavi rounded off saying cosatu would not succumb to political blackmail.