Cape Town - Cabinet has welcomed the end of the five-month strike in the platinum mining sector and the end of its damaging effect on South Africa's economy.
“The prolonged strike had dire negative effects on workers, employers, and our economy as a whole,” Communications Minister Faith Muthambi said on Thursday.
Briefing the media at Parliament following Cabinet's fortnightly meeting on Wednesday, she said such prolonged strikes had to be avoided.
“Cabinet appeals to both employers and the labour movement to resolve negotiations speedily and to avoid such prolonged strikes.”
The success of government's development programmes depended on a stable and thriving economy.
On the recent downgrading of the country's credit ratings by agencies Standard and Poor's and Fitch, Muthambi said Cabinet “was alive to the growth challenges” facing the country.
“Government has prioritised the accelerated implementation of the National Development Plan, with reforms that are aimed at unlocking South Africa's growth potential.”
Further, it was committed to improving the regulatory environment, reducing skills shortages, and accelerating its infrastructure investment programme as part of removing obstacles constraining growth. - Sapa