The Secretary General of the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO), Paulos Masemola, says that if companies, trade unions and others in the motor industry cooperate, the damage caused by layoffs can be reduced.
In South Africa the situation is tense as companies are laying off.
Recently, the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa announced that it will lay off workers, the tire manufacturing company Goodyear has been closed in Gqeberha, Motus has recently laid off approximately 86 workers and other companies.
Masemola said the truth is that the industry is under a lot of pressure.
“If companies continue to be under economic pressure, laying off people is the last option they take to be able to continue working. This does not mean that they must not do it in a way that is fair and protects the rights of workers,” said Masemola.
He said that as MIBCO, they play an important role in ensuring that everything goes smoothly.
He went on to say that if layoffs continue, there will be a shortage of skilled people because some will leave and never return to the transport industry.
He pointed out that there are ways to reduce the damage, including reducing working hours, temporarily reducing wages and helping affected workers with money.
“The lesson is that talking in advance works. If workers, companies and those in the industry cooperate, it is possible that the damage will be reduced, skills will be preserved and the industry will be sustainable.”