The Cry of the Xcluded and the Assembly of the Unemployed are alarmed at Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s announcement of the imminent retrenchment of 700+ workers at its East London plant and express their solidarity with Numsa and the workers of Mercedes-Benz South Africa. The proposed job cuts will jeopardize not only one-third of the East London plant’s workforce but would also have ripple effects on local parts manufacturers in the value chain. This attack on poor and working-class people must be resisted. 

According to Stats SA, the Eastern Cape is already reeling under the highest unemployment levels in the country, at 49,1%. This means these newly unemployed workers will be facing some of the most challenging economic conditions in South Africa, making the current crisis even worse.

Mercedes-Benz South Africa claims the C-class manufactured in East London is underperforming in global sales due to macroeconomic conditions, but the company was the top vehicle exporter in the country for December 2023, with 11,427 units sent out of South Africa. As recently as June 2021, Jörg Burzer, a Mercedes-Benz board member, claimed, “With our additional investment of R3 billion in the East London plant, we underline our commitment to contributing to the South African economy and the Eastern Cape region.” So, where is the commitment now?

NUMSA is outraged by this proposed retrenchment and has said it will resist it. As the Cry of the Xcluded and the Assembly of the Unemployed, we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder in this struggle. Once again, another multinational company acts callously and throws South African workers back onto the street to fend for themselves. We see how corporations only care about short-term profits. This clarifies how corporate-driven ‘development’ offers no solution to our country’s problems.

CryX and AoU are joining other movements in East London and across the Eastern Cape to say enough is enough. Together with workers, we must take back the working-class communities and fight against unemployment, impoverishment, and inequality.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Siyabulela Mama: 071 520 3712

Mahlubandile Kuhlane:  076 561 8909

Thulani Bukani: 076 313 4254