In a media statement released today, a spokesperson for the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said:
QUOTE:
It with deep regret and grave concern that the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry notes that trade unions have rejected the revised public service pay offer. The current spate of strikes and threats of strikes that, in addition to the public service workers’, include certain sectors in the retail industry, the motor industry and local government workers in the water industry, and the ripple effects for other sectors, leave a large proportion of the South African economy unproductive.

It is with concern that the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) notes the risks of attacking the pillars on which our democracy is founded. The Protection of Information Bill currently before Parliament has the potential to restrict access to information that should rightfully be public.  While SACCI supports the principles that underlie the Protection of Information Bill, we remain concerned that there are too many opportunities for inappropriate implementation in respect of the Bill.  Such inappropriate implementation could have the consequences of concealing commercial information thereby influencing the competitive landscape.

In a statement issued today, Monday, 16 August, a spokesperson for the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that SACCI is concerned at the impasse that appears to have developed in the negotiations between labour and the Public Service Commission as well as at the ongoing strike in the motor vehicle manufacturing sector.  SACCI is concerned that high demands are being made on employers at a time when liquidations of businesses are still unacceptably high – an indication that we are still not over consequences of the global downturn.  SACCI’s business and trade indices are moving laterally rather than showing a propensity towards improvement. Improved business conditions are needed so that reasonable wage demands can be accommodated. 

It is with pride and pleasure that the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry announces that Mr Chose Choeu has assumed the presidency of SACCI following the resignation of Mr Babu Baijoo.  Mr Choeu has a long and illustrious connection with SACCI having been appointed to the Board in 2006.  He also serves as the Chairperson of the SACCI ICT Expert Committee.