Govt working with ArcelorMittal to avert possible job losses

A worker grinding metal at a factory

2 minutes

Government says a multi-disciplinary team of departments is engaging with ArcelorMittal management to seek a solution to the looming job losses. This after the steel producer announced plans to shut down its operations in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal and Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng.

Following a meeting with the management of ArcelorMittal this morning, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth says although the company is facing various cost pressures there is hope that the jobs that are at risk can be saved.

She says government is looking at interventions that can avert the loss of 3 500 jobs.

“The measures that we’re taking as government are the ones that include DTIC, Treasury and all other relevant departments to look at the possibility of helping where we’re able to help as government on areas that are raised, but we as employment and labour, in particular, have a program that is called temporary employer relief scheme that assists distressed businesses. They are starting that process to see if they can be assisted through that, and we’ve also got Productivity South Africa who helps in the turnaround in businesses that are going down.”

Good morning Mzansi 🇿🇦
We are currently meeting with ArcelorMittal, discussing ways in which we can provide support @deptoflabour @GovernmentZA @DmJomo #LabourMatters pic.twitter.com/7m7Obh11ME

— Nomakhosazana Meth (@Meth_Khosi) January 17, 2025