A request of the FF Plus addressed to the chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on trade and industry to urgently intervene in an attempt to save the steel producer Highveld Steel has paid dividends, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on trade and industry said.
Adv. Alberts says the chairperson of the committee, Ms. Joanmariae Fubbs, has asked for an urgent meeting with the minister of trade and industry, Dr. Rob Davies, to get answers from him as to why the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) did not come to the rescue of Highveld Steel.
According to Adv. Alberts there had been a fixed agreement with the IDC that a lifeline of R150 million would be given to the company if it was needed.
“It is good news for the FF Plus that our request has been taken seriously and that it is receiving attention at the highest level. Ms. Fubbs has given the assurance that she views the matter in a very serious light and that she is determined to help save Highveld Steel.
“The FF Plus will keep in contact with all the relevant role players and will give feed-back about the matter next week,” Adv. Alberts said.
In his letter to Ms. Fubbs two weeks ago, Adv. Alberts said the country cannot afford huge job-losses and that the IDC’s failure to fulfil its duty has caused huge job-losses and great human suffering.
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