THE National Union of Mineworkers (Num) has expressed shock and disappointment at announcements made by various mining companies that they are intending to dismiss thousands of workers.
Union spokesman Livhuwani Mammburu said the companies were citing various reasons such as challenging operating environments, market conditions and reduced productivity for the possible retrenchments.
He said the Num national executive committee, which held its ordinary meeting in East London, Eastern Cape from the 28 to 29 February was concerned about the disheartening news.
“We are noting with concern this sporadic announcement as the country is approaching the general elections in May. Anglo American, in particular, made such announcements from across all its operations that is from its platinum, iron ore and diamond operations. We remained deeply dismayed by the timing and the high number of workers to be affected by all these retrenchments,” he said.
He said they were awaiting official notices from other mining companies as they already have an insight that other companies are joining Anglo American’s choir.
Mammburu said the NEC meeting dealt with a number of issues pertaining to the union’s successes and challenges, including the union membership campaign, retrenchments, as well as Eskom and Transnet matters.
ALSO READ: EFF MP fined for sick child!
“The anticipated job losses will destroy many small businesses in and around the mining communities, and certainly that will increase crime levels in our respective communities. Generally, the cost of living is terrible way above the living wage and the bread lines. The increase on food price inflation to 5,7% had negatively impacted on the workers and the working-class in general,” he said.
The NEC found that most mining companies continued to cite load shedding, decline in prices of minerals and failure by Transnet to transport minerals as major reasons for job cuts.
Mammburu said the NEC took a resolution that it will urgently engage the government to try find a lasting solution when it comes Transnet’s challenges of transporting minerals.
He said: “It is indeed a matter of urgency. Challenges faced by Transnet contributed heavily to job losses and an immediate solution must be found.
“We will also like to take this opportunity to welcome the newly appointed leadership of Transnet and hope that they will hit the ground running.”
The committee also reflected on the upcoming general elections and resolved that among the fundamentals is to protect the gains brought by their struggles before and after 1994.
“We will not allow any political party to destroy what we have fought for in terms of basic labour relations rights. Our forefathers fought for such rights and workers will defend them at all costs. The NEC is calling upon all citizens, eligible to vote, to make sure that we are not giving the country back to the oppressors and exploiters. Young people must come in big numbers and defend the democracy our stalwarts fought and died for,” said Mammburu.
For more news and entertainment at the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsappChannel via this link:
