SA Steel Mills employees want IDC to approve sale of company to investor who’ll prioritise their interests

JOHANNESBURG - SA Steel Mills employees want the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to approve the sale of the company to an investor who will prioritise their interests.

A group of frustrated workers picketed outside the IDC offices in Sandton on Friday.

SA Steel Mills has been under business rescue since 2024 and has requested an expression of interest from a potential buyer.

Workers have gone without pay since the start of the business rescue process.

Disgruntled workers gathered outside the IDC offices are calling on the corporation to intervene and bring an end to the long business rescue process.

Some employees said their families have been negatively impacted by this process, as they have gone without pay for months.

This is the second picket in 2025, where workers have approached the IDC for assistance.

"We are hoping that IDC will agree with workers to say we will support whoever says he's going to save the jobs of workers and return the workers back to work because people are hungry, are frustrated, and families are being destroyed because if you are not earning anything, then you can't feed your family," said SA Steel Mills employee Lehlohonolo Seleke.

The picketing workers said they needed the corporation to respond to their demands and not just stay silent.