# Trade union Solidarity says more than four-thousand jobs are at risk as ArcelorMittal South Africa prepares to close its long steel plants in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, and Vereeniging in Gauteng, including Vanderbijlpark. The union blames government inaction, citing high electricity costs, weak rail systems, and insufficient import protections. They pledge to support affected members using all legal and labour measures to protect jobs. Solidarity’s Willie Venter warns the closures could trigger wider retrenchments across other industries:
Solidarity blames government for impending steel industry job losses [SOUND]
ENG VenterOnSteel