Labour minister calls for ‘responsible striking’

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has called on unions and workers engaging in strike action not to abuse their rights - but to embark on protests responsibly. She called on trade union leaders and workers to act responsibly and observe the prescripts of the laws of the land when contemplating embarking on a strike or protest action. Oliphant said government was worried at the proliferation of industrial action that was not in keeping with labour laws and could upset the already fragile economic outlook. Most of the time, this action was accompanied by intimidation, violence and extensive damage to property. “Every employee has the right to strike and this right is enshrined in our Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land. The protection of the right to strike is a necessary and useful right in pursuit of sound Industrial relations in general and industrial peace and stability in particular. “All that the employees have to do to exercise this right is to comply with the provisions of the Labour Relations. This means that they cannot be fired for striking, sued for damages, nor will they be regarded as having breached their contract of employment,” Oliphant said. In addition, Oliphant said a trade union could authorise striking workers to picket in support of the strike and they could still enjoy the protection of the law. She said strikers therefore had the right in Law to demonstrate their plight to the general public and to workers who were not keen to join them in their strike. “There is therefore no justification for the recent wave of unprocedural strikes when the legal requirements are so clear and straightforward,” the minister said. “There can be no justification for the distasteful events that the country witnessed in the mining industry recently. There can be no debate that strike, protest action and picket action must be peaceful and those who choose to participate must act lawfully. There can be no excuse for lawlessness.” Source – SAnews.gov.za