Numsa paints Rosebank red

ROSEBANK – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) held a national strike to highlight youth unemployment and their objection to the Employment Tax Incentive Act among other issues.

Numsa were expecting 500 000 people around the country to join the strike. In Johannesburg the union mobilised about 3 000 people to march from Zoo Lake to the offices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council in Rosebank.

Members gathered at Zoo Lake wearing their traditional red T-shirts and sang revolutionary songs, some of which insulted and discredited President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders.

The strikers made gestures with their hands, synonymous to that made by soccer fans when they want a substitution. This gesture is understood to express their desire to have a change in government leadership. They also made ‘shower head’ gestures in clear reference to Zuma.

Several other organisations supported the strike, including the Socialist Youth Movement, South African Municipal Workers Union and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Some of the union members were wearing EFF berets.

Although it’s not official, speculation is rife that Numsa and the EFF will join forces as some of their ideologies were aligned such as the nationalisation of mines, banks and other strategic economic sectors. This follows a decision by Numsa not to support the ANC in the upcoming elections. The union is also facing possible expulsion from the Congress of SA Trade Unions.

The Act was signed into law by President Zuma on 18 December last year. The act is aimed at addressing youth unemployment through providing tax cuts for companies which hire young people to ensure they acquire work experience. The union is strongly against this, saying it’s a threat to older workers.

Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said the goal of non-racialism had failed completely. “Look in front you,” he said to members, “There are no white people who have joined this march, the reason is very simple. They own and control the economy,” he said to huge applause.

Upon arrival in Rosebank, a memorandum of demands was read and handed over to representatives of Nedlac, and the departments of Labour, Economic Development, Trade and Industry, and National Treasury.