Amcu slams ‘jobs bloodbath’

Drastic action is needed to avert the huge job losses facing the mining industry.

We are in a crisis and government is dysfunctional, says Mathunjwa.

Drastic action is needed to avert the jobs bloodbath facing the mining industry, in which 20 000 jobs have been put at risk in the past few weeks alone, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa says.

Amcu has served the National Economic Development and Labour Council with a notice that it intends to engage in a nationwide protest over job losses.

This will include a petition directly to the office of the president.

“The sector is under enormous pressure at the moment and workers as an economic resource are expendable.

“The economy cannot create enough demand at present to absorb people into the labour market,” said Mathunjwa.

He laid the blame for the situation on a number of factors, including government, specifically, Mines Minister Mosebenzi Zwane.

“There has been no direction at all from the department of mineral resources.

“[Zwane] is now backtracking on the moratorium on mining licences.

“We are in a crisis and they are dysfunctional.”

Mathunjwa also criticised broader government policy.

Regarding the economy, he said: “The challenge has been the lack of capacity to diversify the economy and create new industries.

“[Our] trade agreements do not promote local manufacturing.

“We should have a policy like Donald Trump that says ‘Africa and South Africa first!’”

Two of the companies engaging in the largest retrenchments are AngloGold Ashanti (8 500 job losses) and Sibanye Gold (7 400).

Amcu would continue trying to reduce job losses, he added, noting that according to information at the union’s disposal, each mineworker supports five to 10 people.

“So, 8 500 job losses means 85 000 people lose their livelihood.”

“These job losses will be felt across Carletonville and the surrounding towns.”

Mathunjwa also said it was “highly unethical and hypocritical” for these companies to be investing overseas at a time when they were cutting jobs in South Africa.

A strike is not being considered at present, as this will “plunge workers into more difficulty”.