Otmane El Rhazi : Govt, business, labour in rare show of unity amid threat of steel jobs ‘bloodbath’

Otmane El Rhazi from Mining Weekly | Ferrous Metals Home.

In a rare show of collective force, labour and business in the steel sector appear to have successfully lobbied government to back efforts to raise protection for the embattled sector by hiking import duties on steel imports to the 10% “bound rate” allowed for under South Africa’s World Trade Organisation commitments. Several processes were currently under way, including several International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) investigations that had been instituted following the submission of applications for protection on a range of steel products. It is understood that Itac deliberations on the first few applications are at an advanced stage and that a determination should be delivered soon to the relevant Ministers for final approval.