By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
21 September 2025 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Sonja Boshoff, has called on the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau to urgently convene a national crisis summit on job losses. Boshoff said mass retrenchments and downsizing by big companies have become “far too routine” in South Africa.
She further urged the ministers of trade, employment and labour, and small business development to act immediately. Boshoff added that the summit must bring together affected companies, trade unions and provincial and local government to find urgent solutions.
“Policy levers to protect jobs must be on the table. Relief on electricity and freight costs for vulnerable manufacturers, faster support for localisation, stronger interventions in the steel and automotive industries, and trade remedies against unfair imports, all need urgent consideration.
“We call for Section 189/189A consultations to be strengthened to ensure transparency, proper engagement with workers, fair severance and more retraining and redeployment opportunities,” she said.
Boshoff said regions hardest hit, such as the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Free State, need targeted economic stimulus, labour absorption programmes and infrastructure to attract investment. She said the call comes after media reports that Coca-Cola plans to cut 680 jobs, while ArcelorMittal is considering further drastic cuts and possible closure.
“We do not need another national dialogue talk shop. Our economy is stagnant and paralysed by contradictory policies. Workers and communities are counting on decisive leadership.
“These job losses are too many, too frequent, and under too much avoidable pressure. We must act now, not just to protect livelihoods, but to safeguard South Africa’s industrial future,” said Boshoff.
The Guardian 