Trade union Solidarity has set its sights on the expansion and sustainability of South Africa’s domestic steel industry for the year ahead and will soon launch a Support Our Steel (SOS) campaign.
The domestic steel industry had suffered significant setbacks in recent times, particularly after the closure of Highveld Steel last year.
“Solidarity regards the steel industry as a matter of great importance and we want to ensure job retention in the industry for the sake of our members and of all other employees in the industry,” said Solidarity deputy general secretary Marius Croucamp.
He added that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s allocation of R95-million towards a steel development fund in the coming year was also encouraging.
Solidarity’s SOS campaign aims to create awareness and achieve purposeful intervention in industry.
“We must now pull out all the stops to make the domestic steel industry a strong industry in South Africa again. Recent financial support and instructions regarding the use of local steel by government institutions already represent steps in the right direction.
“Through its SOS campaign and the watchdog role it takes on readily, Solidarity will ensure that such steps are indeed taken,” Croucamp explained.