Numsa+pickets+Japanese+Embassy+over+Nissan+retrenchments

= = == =NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA=

153 Bree Street (cnr. Becker), Newtown, 2023 P.O. Box 260483, Excom, Johannesburg, 2001

Cell: 082 940 7116, e-mail: mziwakheh@numsa.org.za, Tel: 011-689 1700, Fax: 011-833 6330

=Press statement for immediate release=

22 March, 2007


 * Numsa pickets Japanese Embassy over Nissan retrenchments**

The giant metalworkers union is to go ahead tomorrow(Friday) with mass protest demonstrations on Japanese Embassy in support of 410 Nissan employees who are facing retrenchments on 12 April, 2007.

More than 10 buses will transport thousands of Numsa members in Pretoria region who will converge at 259 Baines Road in Groen Kloof, East of Pretoria, to participate in protest action Friday, March 23, 2007 at 1 pm.

Nissan management unilaterally gave workers retrenchment packages, with effect from 12 April, 2007 after merely briefing shop stewards.

“We want Japanese government to intervene because we believe Nissan in Japan has instructed this plant to further reduce the workforce. The company also indicated that it could not afford to keep these employees since it was no longer going to assemble Fiats in its Rosslyn plant, Pretoria, Hlanganani regional organizer of Numsa, David Modimoeng has said. . Numsa also urged the International Metalworkers Federation in the Southern African region to pledge solidarity with Nissan retrenches.

The company has reduced the workforce from 7 500 to 1 800 in the past nine years from in 1998 up to now.


 * For more information contact Mziwakhe Hlangani, National information officer at 082 940 7116.**