Co-chairs of the Millennium Labour Council Bobby Godsell (left) and Zwelinzima Vavi are pictured in Johannesburg on December 8, 2009 where they presented a proposal for preserving jobs and avoiding retrenchments.
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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Dec 08 2009 16:47
South Africa must preserve as many current jobs as possible, the
co-chairs of the Millennium Labour Council, Bobby Godsell and
Zwelinzima Vavi, said on Tuesday.
"While the cost of workers' wages is likely to be a significant cost
in most businesses, it is not the only area where cost reductions can
be effected," Godsell, former chairperson of Eskom, told a media
briefing on their joint proposals to limit retrenchments in the
country.
Two major areas that required at least equal review were those of
capital expenditure and shareholder returns in the form of dividends.
"We do not suggest that cuts in these areas are either easy or without consequence, but simply urge that they be considered," Godsell said.
Prior to accepting the retrenchment route, labour should consider
other ways of reducing labour costs, the Congress of South African
Trade Unions's Vavi said.
"Short time, wage freezes and wage cuts should be considered," he said.
Godsell said that together with Vavi he was appealing to business at
the end of the year to reflect on alternatives to retrenchments. "The
end of the year is when companies make critical decisions on their
workforce," he said.
Vavi told the briefing it was "never too late" to embark on the
preservation of jobs.
"But the 959 000 people who have lost their jobs this year would
disagree," he added. -- Sapa
Source: Mail & Guardian Online
Web Address: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-12-08-preserve-jobs-say-vavi-and-godsell
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