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MEDIA STATEMENT
 28 JANUARY 2000
TO ALL MEDIA
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

THE VOLKSWAGEN STRIKE IN PORT ELIZABETH

The Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC in the Eastern Cape has been monitoring developments in the Uitenhage plant of Volkswagen 
with grave concern. We are particularly alarmed by the closure of the plant and the potential impact thereof on the wider plan to grow the 
provincial economy, sustain and create jobs and generally promote Eastern Cape as an investment destination.

We have no doubt that Volkswagen is not only one of the biggest employers in the Eastern Cape but also a significant contributor to the 
economic well being of the province. The linkages Volkswagen has with component manufacturers and the service industry imply that problems 
in VW are likely to cascade throughout the value chain creating further job losses. We also have no doubt that the continued closure of the 
plant will have disastrous effects on the local economy of Uitenhage with far reaching implications on the lives of the people.

It is this light that we believe all those directly involved in the dispute should realise that their decisions and actions will have 
serious impact beyond their immediate interests and the plant. This explains why we have instructed our local alliance structures to 
actively engage in the process of explaining to the community what are the issues at stake in order to ensure that this dispute does not 
divide the community of Uitenhage. People must avoid a temptation to manipulate the situation for cheap popularity.

We are however encouraged to hear that there has been progress in the negotiations between the management and the union and that the plant 
is likely to open on Monday. We urge all workers of VW to heed the call made by the union and management to return to their workstations. 
The matter that gave rise to the strike is a matter between the union and some of its members and should therefore be resolved through the 
structures and procedures of the union. We therefore believe that it does not warrant a strike, closure of the plant and the concomitant 
suffering that this may bring to Uitenhage and the Province. We also appeal to the community of Uitenhage to throw their weight behind the 
process of resolving this industrial impasse and creating industrial stability.

Issued by:-

Rev MA Stofile
 Chairperson of the ANC and Premier  Eastern Cape

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