State of the nation speech more empty promises?

The South African Clothing Textiles and Workers’ Union said they welcomed the statement President Zuma said during his State of Nation speech that “industrial policy would build labour absorbing industries ... and 2010 would be a year of action.”

Have we not heard this before?

In June 2009 I wrote, “After much stalling the South African government has published and intends to implement through the Department of Trade and Industry a rescue package for the clothing and textile sector that incorporates skills development, capital investment and the controversial proposal of increasing tariffs on apparel imports”.

At the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Recovery and Jobs Summit held in August 2009 it was mentioned by the Department of Trade and Industry that R6 billion was allocated by the IDC to “rejuvenate the industry over the next two years”.

In November 2008 it was announced that an “action plan” would be launched to assist South Africa’s beleaguered clothing and textile sector.

In 2006 the Department of Trade and Industry stated that “Government is working on a strategic vision”, and a year later in August 2007 the Trade and Industry Minister said the Customised Sector Program (CSP) was being formalised.

The industry needs action now.

Sources from within the clothing and textile industry have informed me that there is concern about the dependence government has on policy development consultants who either do not have a comprehensive understanding of the industry and provide recommendations that government want to hear in order to maintain their lucrative contracts. Has there been wide interaction and open transparent debate between government “advisors”, government officials and industry players who are working in the trenches to sustain employment and their operations?

Will the “industrial policy” announced by Zuma provide practical implemental systems that industry can initiate immediately or will these policies require further discussions and negotiations?

And SACTWU? Will they undermine the clothing and textile sector that are “labour absorbing industries” by further strike action? What will they bring to ensure that an environment of cohesiveness and cooperation is created between the employer and employee?

So while we wait for more of the same the industry continues its battle of keeping the stitches together and the machines running.

Press Statement

SACTWU responds to the State of the Nation speech

11 February 2010

The COSATU-affiliated Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) has noted the President's statements in his State of the Nation speech that "industrial policy will build labour absorbing industries", that the broad policy direction outlined in his address will be practically detailed in implementation strategies to be announced by the responsible ministries, that Ministers will be required to sign target performance agreements and that 2010 will be a year of action.

We welcome this.

We now look forward to the details and call for increased resources to be allocated for industrial policy implementation measures to build labour absorbing industries, such as clothing and textiles, by the various responsible ministries, in particular by the Minister of Finance in his budget speech next week.

Issued by Andre Kriel, SACTWU General Secretary.