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Union will not allow privatisation of Johannesburg's fresh produce market

SAMWU Press Statement
28 January 1999

Contrary to the story in today's Business Day newspaper, the Johannesburg fresh produce market is not about to be privatised.

In fact, a framework agreement around restructuring of local government was concluded between COSATU and the Department of Constitutional Development over one month ago. The agreement rules out blanket proposals of privatisation to municipal services running at a loss, compelling municipalities rather to enter into negotiations with the union to finding a public sector solution.

SAMWU finds it very odd that Hanekom, the Minister of Agriculture is not aware of this agreement.

"The Minister of Agriculture does not have jurisdiction in this area," said SAMWU Deputy General Secretary, Mncedisi Nontsele. "This is a matter governed by the Municipal Services Partnership framework agreement."

SAMWU's Greater Johannesburg branch treasurer, Mpho Mokone, added that the union would fight any attempt to unilaterally privatise the fresh produce market. "It is not possible for the Greater Johannesburg council to deviate from the national agreement and privatise," said Mokone.

SAMWU's Greater Johannesburg branch is the union's largest branch with more than twenty thousand members.