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EC EXCO expresses great concern over pending retrenchments
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

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EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

SPEECH BY PREMIER MAKHENKESI STOFILE

MEDIA STATEMENT
 15 JULY 1999

EC EXCO EXPRESSES GREAT CONCERN OVER THE PENDING RETRENCHMENTS



The Government of the Province of the Eastern Cape has expressed great concern about the pending mass retrenchments in the mining industry 
and by the national parastatals such as Transnet. The matter was discussed in the Executive Council (Exco) meeting held on July 14 1999 in 
Bisho. The Exco noted as worrying the fact that thousands of workers currently being employed in the mines and by the national parastatals 
originate from the Eastern Cape and now they would return to join the ranks of the unemployed in the province.

Currently about 45% of the economically active people in the Eastern Cape are unemployed and the developments taking place at the national 
level will exacerbate the already bad situation. Premier Makhenkesi Stofile described the situation as "disconcerting and worrying". He 
expressed the government’s full support to the delegation scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and several other 
stakeholders on the matter. He also appealed to the British government and the International Monetary Fund to reconsider the question of 
sale of gold reserves as it would harm efforts of reconstructing and developing South Africa and especially poor Southern African regions 
such as the Province of the Eastern Cape.

Issued: Communications Division – Office of the Premier
Enquiries: Manelisi Wolela – 040-6391543 / 6092413

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