Kzn Mec Urges National Government To Save Arcelormittal Steel Plants

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Reverend Musa Zondi, has called for an urgent national government intervention to prevent ArcelorMittal from closing its so-called longs steel business in Newcastle and Vereeniging .

Longs refer to structural steel which is mainly used in railways, agriculture, mining and energy transmission. Zondi says the expected discontinuation of production of long steel in Newcastle puts 2 000 jobs at risk.

He has written to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, asking for further engagements to deal with ArcelorMittals challenges .

"We are deeply concerned about ArcelorMittal decision to shut down its long steel operation in Newcastle and Vereeniging. This move will directly impact 2000 jobs and destabilise the local economy. If not urgently addressed, the effects will stand beyond Newcastle posing a serious threat to the broader economy of KwaZulu-Natal. We are therefore calling on the national government to intervene and find solutions that protect jobs and sustain economic growth in the region."

NUMSA