The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) stands in solidarity with its militant affiliate, the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), in rejecting Sun International South Africa’s latest Section 189A retrenchment process.

COSATU is deeply concerned to learn that retrenchments have already been implemented in some departments before meaningful consultations with SACCAWU have been exhausted. This undermines the stipulations of the Labour Relations Act, which states that employers must engage in genuine consultation before decisions impacting workers are taken.

At a time when South Africa is confronted by a dangerously high unemployment rate of 43.7%, companies benefiting from gaming licences should prioritise job creation and retention, skills development and economic transformation rather than placing the burden of restructuring on workers. Gaming licences carry important public-interest obligations which must be upheld including, commitment to job creation and local economic development.

COSATU stands 100% behind SACCAWU as it pursues all available legal remedies, including approaching the Labour Court to defend workers against unlawful and procedurally unfair retrenchments. We also reiterate our affiliate’s calls for Provincial Gambling and Gaming Boards to investigate whether Sun International is still complying with the employment, transformation and socio-economic commitments attached to its gaming licences.

The Federation also agrees with SACCAWU that foreign investment must advance national development objectives, therefore Sun International’s foreign led executive decisions must align to this.

COSATU calls on Sun International to immediately suspend the retrenchment process, engage in genuine consultations with SACCAWU, and exhaust all reasonable alternatives to job losses that will plunge workers into poverty. Workers are breadwinners with families to care for, their livelihood and dignity must remain central to any restructuring process.

COSATU stands firmly with SACCAWU and the affected workers in defending decent work, social justice and the rights of all employees.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za