PARTY SPOKESPERSON MINERAL AND ENERGY AFFAIRS
IFP INFORMATION CENTRE
IFP CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN FUEL CRISIS
IFP INFORMATION CENTRE : AUGUST 6, 1998
The IFP calls for the Government to step in and help resolve the strike by the Chemical Workers’ Industrial Union. As fuel supplies begin to run low, so South Africa faces the distinct possibility of being brought to a virtual standstill. If the Government fails to act as soon as possible, the wheels of the economy run the risk of grinding to a complete halt.
The IFP is duly concerned about what is being wrought upon the South African economy: the value of the rand has plummeted, interest rates have increased, the public has been subjected to the umpteenth petrol hike in recent months, and the country is entering a recession prompted by "stagflation". The action of the Chemical Workers’ Industrial Union merely serves to aggravate and compound an already difficult situation.
The image brought to bear on potential investors by headlines proclaiming that pumps are running dry, emergency services are being curtailed and domestic flights are being rerouted cannot be in the best interests of South Africa. Similar shortages had dire consequences for Zimbabwe during the eighties and the IFP is worried that South Africa may be setting itself up for similar economic failure.
The IFP urges all parties involved in this dispute to work out a viable solution to the problem. Whilst the grievances of the Union members must be addressed by management bodies, so Union members must realise the vicious circle in which they find themselves. By crippling the chemical industries and preventing the South African economy from functioning, the recession will escalate out of all proportion and there will be no jobs over which to debate percentage pay increases, working hours and sick pay provisions. The IFP appeals to the Government to intervene in this crisis immediately in order to keep South Africa moving.