South Africa
Transnet lift force majeure as workers return─── 17:39 Fri, 21 Oct 2022
Transnet has lifted the force majeure declared at its automotive, bulk and multi-purpose ports in Cape Town and Durban.
The state-owned ports and rail operator declared a force majeure two weeks ago after workers embarked on a strike.
Workers affiliated with the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) downed tools at Transnet after wage negotiations reached a deadlock.
Untu has since signed a three-year wage agreement with Transnet, bringing an end to a 12-day strike at the state-owned ports and rail operator.
However, Satawu has not yet reached a wage agreement with the employer.
Transnet spokesperson Ayanda Shezi says the company is now implementing recovery plans to stabilise operations.
"The extent of the backlogs in the container terminals, and the resultant impact to operations, mean that the force majeure declared for the container terminals will remain in place, with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) anticipating that it will be ready to uplift it by 31 October 2022.
“TPT’s full workforce reported for duty with effect from 20 October 2022, and the backlogs in the container terminals are being cleared as part of the recovery plans underway," says Shezi.
