Chairperson, this is a statement by the hon Mr Labuschagne.
The Department of Trade and Industry recently indicated that a revised version of their Motor Industry Development Plan was likely to be another six months away. We hope that the MIDP is not like the Lotto in this regard, for as it is, the reigning uncertainty has already resulted in South Africa being unable to compete for some export-oriented manufacturing contracts.
Given this situation, the unnecessary escalation of the current strike in the motor vehicle component industry by the National Union of Metal Workers will be irresponsible in the extreme. There exists no doubt in the DA's mind that the situation would have been much easier for employers to resolve were it not for the wrangling in the tripartite alliance ahead of the ANC December Congress and the leadership elections. We urge Numsa as well as the industry to negotiate in earnest in order to achieve a fair wage for all. Thank you.