The Independent Democrats (ID) on Sunday called on the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) to negotiate a “strike free period” during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Joe Mcgluwa, the ID’s spokesperson for sport, called on Nedlac to “take immediate steps” to negotiate such a period. This came after the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) warned that mass action against Eskom’s electricity price increases could carry on during the soccer tournament.
Cosatu has threatened strikes before October over the electricity price rises but has not ruled out starting industrial action before the Soccer World Cup in June.
“The last thing we want to do is disrupt the World Cup but our interest is bigger than the World Cup,” Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi told reporters earlier this month.
Said Mcgluwa: “The ID has consistently been critical of the electricity price increases, of Nersa’s rubber-stamping of Eskom’s price increase applications and of government’s shady energy deals, including ANC [African National Congress] front company Chancellor House’s stake in them.
“However, the World Cup is also a vital socio-economic opportunity for South Africans, especially considering our huge investments in it.
“We therefore believe Nedlac must step in to create a “social dialogue” in order for all role-players to create a “Strike-Free Period” during the 2010 World Cup.” — Sapa