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COSATU Leaders Stage Sit-in at NEDLAC

COSATU Press Release
1 June 2000

Angered by the persistent failure of government to take seriously the NEDLAC discussions on South Africa's continuing job loss crisis, the COSATU leadership this afternoon began a sit-in at the NEDLAC offices, Nampak Building, Auckland Park.

The sit-in was triggered when government sent a middle-ranking official (a Deputy Director General in the Department of Labour) to negotiate with the top leadership of both business and labour.

Said COSATU President Willie Madisha, "Our country faces a job loss bloodbath of unprecedented proportions. Almost 4 out of every 10 South Africans does not have a decent, full-time job. We can no longer tolerate the failure of government to treat this issue as a national priority."

COSATU General Secretary confirmed that the union leaders would not budge until government sends senior leaders to the talks. "This is a national crisis. We demand that it be treated as such. Sending a deputy director general is a slap in the face," he said.

Today's NEDLAC meeting was attending by COSATU President Willie Madisha, General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, Deputy General Secretary Tony Ehrenreich, 2nd Vice President Joyce Pekane, National Treasurer Arlenah Rantsolase. The business delegation included the Chairperson of BSA, the President of the Chamber of Mines and the CEO of NAFCOC.

Contact COSATU spokesperson Siphiwe Mgcina on 082-821-7456 for further information.

Charley Lewis
Head of Department COSATU Information Technology Unit
E-mail: charley@cosatu.org.za \ Tel: 27 + 11 + 339-4911 (W)
Fax: 27 + 11 + 339-2281
Cell: 083-539-5242

Snail-mail: Box 81185, Parkhurst, 2120, South Africa
Physical Address: 8th Floor, COSATU House, 1 Leyds Street (cnr Biccard), Braamfontein, Johannesburg

VISIT COSATU'S WEB SITE:
http://www.cosatu.org.za/

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