Trade Unions Say Counterfeit 2010 Merchandise Hurts Local Workers

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is blasting counterfeit World Cup merchandise, arguing that it hurts local jobs.

"Since November 2009 alone, the SA Revenue Service has seized more than R88 million worth of fake goods at airports and harbours, with weekly reports of more seizures," Cosatu said in a statement.

"These fake imports threaten the jobs of people in factories in Durban, Cape Town and many other cities and towns."

Cosatu and the Fifa Organising Committee in South Africa have been working together to ensure that World Cup merchandise was produced locally to create job opportunities within the country.

SA jobs hurt by illegal World Cup goods
Independent Onlinr
May 14, 2010

Soccer City Construction Company Denies North Korean Worker Rumor

In the face of reports that North Korean workers were being employed to finish construction of Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium, construction company officials have stated that no North Korean workers have been hired for those jobs.

The Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit was also reported to be using North Korean workers.

The Mbombela Municipality could not immediately be reached to comment on the report.

The report said the sanctions-hit state sent the workers "in an apparent attempt to earn much-needed hard currency".

Company says no North Koreans at work on 2010 stadiums
Mail and Guardian
March 15, 2010

Suggestion to Fight World Cup Absenteeism by Canceling Work

Absenteeism from work during the World Cup could cost South African employers 750 million Rand (~100 million USD). One possible solution: don't make them go to work.

This was one way of combating the expected spike in absenteeism over the tournament, said Toska Kouskos, head of health management solutions at Alexander Forbes.

A report last year predicted that World Cup absenteeism would cost South African employers R750-million.

However, Kouskous said there were things that could be done to combat workers skiving off.

'Give workers time to watch Cup matches'
South African Press Association
March 2, 2010