The destructive effect of strikes in, amongst others, the motor vehicle production sector, as can be seen at BMW South Africa currently, could push important trade partners such as the European Union (EU) further away from South Africa, Adv. Anton Alberts, the Freedom Front Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on Trade and Industry says.
The relationship between South Africa and the member states of the EU is already tense and Germany recently loudly and clearly added its voice to the EU’s trade commissioner, Mr. Karel de Gucht, who expressed sharp criticism against the ANC government’s policy relating to bilateral investment agreements with member states of the EU.
“The ANC, which is openly allowing trade unions to cripple the country’s industries and push investors away, should take responsibility for the destructive effects that the strikes are having on the country’s economy.
“The ANC is creating even more uncertainty about property rights with proposed legislation which would expose all types of property rights to expropriation by the state.
“Furthermore, the ANC’s quest to police Affirmative Action (AA) and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) more strictly is worrying as these are some of the factors which hamper economic growth. The Auditor General (AU) indicated that cadre deployment, which is made possible through AA, is the reason for the poor service delivery of the state. With regards to BEE it is well-known that no research exists which indicates that the policy has had any good influence on the economy or that black people are really empowered through it.
“That is why it is irrational to continue with these policies and are therefore unconstitutional, apart from the fact that the policies infringe on the rights of minority groups to compete on an equal footing in the economy.
“The Democratic Alliance’s support for and embracing of these policies are also frightening as respected international organisations are increasingly joining the debate and are pleading for the replacement of BEE with a policy which would offer everyone in this country an equal opportunity for economic prosperity.
“Rothschild, the consultancy firm which facilitated the first BEE deal, is the latest addition to the list of influential organisations which openly expressed itself against BEE,” Adv. Alberts said.
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