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South Africa: Unions call for import tariffs to halt crisis in the steel industry

SOUTH AFRICAN trade unions joined manufacturers yesterday to call for government action on the crisis in the steel industry.

In a statement issued following meetings between several ministries, unions and employers on Friday, revolutionary union federation Cosatu urged the ANC government to increase import tariffs to protect jobs.

The meeting was prompted by transnational Arcelor Mittal’s announcement that it was considering closing its plant at Vereeniging, a town south of Johannesburg.

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