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27 July, 2011The IMF Africa office was honoured to receive the IMF President Berthold Huber on the 11 July 2011.
SOUTH AFRICA: Huber, who is also IG Metall President headed a delegation from the German union visiting South Africa. The delegation met with South Africa's Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe and the Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant.
Huber and his delegation took some time from their busy schedule to meet the IMF Staff at the regional office where they were briefed about the regional activities and the priorities of the region. During the discussion Huber raised issues regarding the role of Chinese investment in Africa and the conditions in which Chinese companies are employing workers. He was also concerned about the level of organizing in many unions.
Bilateral meetings were held with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) where issues of precarious employment and green jobs were discussed. IG Metall and NUMSA have agreed to meet again in the near future to discuss issues of the auto sector. The delegation also met with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) and visited local operations of a number of German multinational companies.visited local operations of a number of German multinational companies.