Government is committed to preserving local industries and safeguarding employment opportunities, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said.
This as government acknowledged the concerns raised by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) on the impact of ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA) decision to wind down its long steel business.
“We recognise the significance of this matter for workers, the broader steel industry, and the economy,” said the department in a statement on Saturday.
This as NUMSA staged a picket outside the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to voice their demands on Friday.
“The Minister is awaiting the memorandum to be presented by the board regarding these demands. Once received, the Minister will consider the issues raised and respond appropriately.
“The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic) remains committed to engaging all stakeholders, including AMSA, organised labour, and industry partners, to find sustainable solutions. We continue to explore all possible avenues to avert job losses, support affected workers and ensure the resilience of South Africa’s steel sector,” said the department.
The dtic urged all parties to engage constructively “as we work towards interventions that protect industrial capacity while securing long-term economic stability.”
“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving local industries and safeguarding employment opportunities,” said the department.
In January, the dtic said the steel industry is critical in the reconstruction and recovery plan for the South African economy, particularly the manufacturing, mining, construction, engineering, and transportation sectors.
This as AMSA announced that it was winding down its longs steel business at its Newcastle plant.
“The department notes with serious concern the announcement by ArcelorMittal South Africa to wind down its longs steel business at its Newcastle plant. In fulfilment of its mandate to work with the private sector in growing the local economy the dtic remains committed to working with AMSA to find a workable and lasting situation,” the department said in a statement at the time.
During the course of 2024, AMSA had reached out to various government departments and state-owned entities with requests for different concessions for their business. Having taken heed of these requests, the Minister of the dtic took the decision to form a comprehensive and coordinated approach to resolving the issues raised by AMSA.
READ | DTIC notes ArcelorMittal South Africa’s decision
The Minister set up a technical working group made up of the relevant stakeholders including the dtic and AMSA, the Departments of Electricity and Energy, Transport, as well as Eskom, Transnet and private sector stakeholders. -SAnews.gov.za
