Eskom plans to increase electricity tariff by 20%
Nyatsumba added that the sector has already lost a total of 25 000 jobs in the three years between July 2014 and June this year.
Eskom announced that it is increasing electricity tariff by 20%. The proposed 19.9% hike by Eskom will result in job losses in the steel and engineering sector according to an economist for the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa).
Seifsa, strongly opposes Eskom’s application for electricity tariff increases. It is set to make a representation at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) hearings in Midrand on Monday.
“It will worsen the plight of the ailing metals and engineering sector,” said Seifsa CEO Kaizer Nyatsumba.
Nyatsumba added that the sector has already lost a total of 25 000 jobs in the three years between July 2014 and June this year.
“Job losses at that scale move SA away from the goals and objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP), which proposes the creation of 11 million jobs by 2030 through, among others, the promotion of employment in labour-absorbing industries.”
