The Information and Communications Technology Union (ICTU) has expressed serious concern regarding reports that the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) is seeking a court order for the temporary liquidation of Sekunjalo Independent Media (Pty) Ltd (SIM).
As a major union in the communications sector, ICTU represents workers across various industries, including a significant number of members in Independent Media and its associated enterprises. The union warned that this legal action jeopardizes approximately 1500 jobs and threatens widespread difficulties for employees and their families.
Threat to 1500 Jobs and Job Creation Continuation
ICTU emphasized that its primary mission is to protect the interests and livelihoods of its members. The union noted that while many media organizations in the country are reducing staff through layoffs, the Sekunjalo, National Media Group, and IOL groups continue to actively hire and retain employees.
Given the current hiring efforts during a challenging period for the media industry as a whole, ICTU highly values Sekunjalo's investments and urged SACTWU to immediately cease actions threatening the jobs of National Media Group and Independent Media employees. ICTU characterized SACTWU's application for liquidation as 'reckless,' stating that such proceedings undermine trust and the broader interests of the trade union movement.
Regarding the underlying financial dispute, ICTU reported that, according to its information, the funds SACTWU claims were paid into the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) never actually reached the Sekunjalo Group. Furthermore, ICTU stated that SACTWU has benefited from amounts estimated between 1.7 and 2.2 billion rand, which the union believes is undisputed.
ICTU expressed the conviction that the current legal proceedings against Independent Media have a political undertone, pointing to Johnny Coplan and others as beneficiaries of these arrangements.
Call for Constructive Engagement
Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to protecting its members, ICTU strongly urged SACTWU to cease campaigns in collaboration with critics or opponents of Independent Media. Instead, ICTU proposed that SACTWU constructively participate in the interests of workers and the long-term sustainability of the South African media sector, promising support for approximately 1500 employees whose livelihoods are at risk.
