NUMSA calls for moratorium on retrenchments, closure of smelters

National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) to march to the office of the Presidency in Pretoria.

The National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) is expected to march to the Office of the Presidency in Pretoria today to demand government’s urgent intervention on the closure of smelters in the country.

The union is protesting against the planned job cuts of over 5 000 workers at companies like Glencore and Almar Investments.

The Regional Secretary of Hlanganani Jerry Morulane says China benefits hugely from SA Chrome ore. NUMSA demands a reduction on Chrome Exports so that we can beneficiate it here and boost jobs here‼️ Our members will give @PresidencyZAa memorandum of demands #SaveSASmelters pic.twitter.com/mINHS7WrRY

— NUMSA (@Numsa_Media) December 8, 2025

The union is calling on the GNU to declare a moratorium on retrenchments and create incentives to boost the local industry, while reducing electricity tariffs.

NUMSA national spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says, “We have given them until the 12th of December to respond in writing, and that might seem like a tight deadline, but the reality is that these policy conversations have been ongoing for months, and our government has just not taken these matters seriously enough. They’ve been very slow to respond, and now this is having a real impact. So, that does not necessarily mean that by the 12th of December, we expect bold industrial policies to be implemented; it just means that they must commit to these measures or at least commit to a plan that enables us to implement these measures because we cannot afford to lose more than 5 000 jobs in this sector.”