Automotive sector workers demand ‘equal work for equal pay’

The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said workers in the automotive components sector were disgruntled over the failure of employers to offer ‘equal work for equal pay’, and recognise them as key stakeholders in the industry. The Citizen reports that this is according to Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim who said workers did not want to be ‘merely consulted’ in the drafting and implementing of new plans to guide the automotive industry. ‘Workers in the component sector are very angry,’ Jim said. ‘Workers in this industry must have a stake in the ownership of all automotive companies.’ The report says the comments from the head of the country’s single biggest trade union come ahead of sector wage talks and amid heightened political expectations ahead of 8 May general elections. The automotive industry produces more than 550 000 new vehicles a year and employs around 112 000 people, contributing an estimated 7.7% to gross domestic product.