OFF THE WIRE
In one of the stranger political couplings, hundreds of bikers yesterday joined
members of labour federation Cosatu outside parliament's gates to protest
against a government policy that could force importers of motorcycles out of
business.
Compulsory specifications for motorcycles, gazetted by Trade
and Industry Minister Rob Davies in May 2011, require the testing of imported
motorcycles before they can be registered.
This is to ensure that buyers
get safe, quality products.
But the Parallel Importers of Motor Cycles
Traders' Association says that this requirement will drive small motorcycle
importers out of business.
The association's spokesman, Trevor Davids,
said testing facilities were owned by big overseas franchises, which gave
quality and safety certificates only to big South African businesses that
imported direct from them.
"Most bike importers will not be able to
function. It means that they will have to shed jobs and, more important, bikers
will not be able to access quality products at a lower price," said
Davids.
"Since 1993, the number of bikers using the road every day has
increased. That is going to diminish as people will not be able to go into a
shop and get a good bike for a good price."
The Department of Trade and
Industry will meet association representatives today to discuss the
policy.
Cosatu's Western Cape general secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, said
South Africa had lost too many jobs and could not afford to shed more.
"A
lot of our clothes are imported from China and India and they replace [local]
products.
"The parallel importers, the labour movement and the government
agree that we want to make sure that the consumers' interests are taken care of
and that the product sold is safe.
"But there is not a facility that is
able to test the products inside South Africa and they will not be able to take
it to the market."
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2013/03/18/bikers-saddle-up-against-trade-law
