Implats sure strikes are over after meetings

Impala Platinum Mine (Implats) spokesperson Johan Theron expressed confidence that the challenging phase of strike action was behind them, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Impala Bafokeng Platinum management and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

In a statement, Theron acknowledged that significant strides had been made since last year’s labour unrest when more than 2 200 miners staged a sit-in underground in December.

“After the sit-in last year, we had normal attendance last week. On Monday and Tuesday, however, there was only a 60% turnout at the north and south shafts this week.

“But, following interventions by NUM and management over the past few days, we have once again reported normal attendance,” said Theron.

“We are confident that we have overcome the challenges, set a path for constructive worker/ employer engagement with NUM, and can now focus on restoring the business amid the prevailing low metal prices to protect as many jobs as possible.”

The news follows a day after Gold One’s Modder East operation in Springs terminated the employment of 401 mineworkers believed to have taken part in illegal strikes towards the end of last year.

NUM has since disputed the dismissal process, claiming that proper procedures were not followed.

Gold One head of legal, Ziyaad Hassam, clarified that a comprehensive investigation led to the identification of actual perpetrators involved in the October and December sit-ins.

Hassam assured that each dismissed employee was given the opportunity to attend a disciplinary hearing.

Amid the controversy, Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, engaged with key stakeholders to assess the aftermath of strikes in the mining industry.

Theron said the meeting, which included the NUM, World Federation of Trade Unions (Waftu), and Impala Bafokeng Platinum management, was primarily for fact-finding purposes and to offer necessary support.

The department of employment and labour said it had committed to constructive engagement with all parties to find viable solutions.

It said that Nxesi would consider possible interventions once due processes were followed to resolve the impasse and facilitate the return of workers to their duties.

In addition to discussions with unions, Nxesi advocated for direct talks with workers to raise awareness on crucial issues, such as health and safety, workers’ rights, avoidance of mass retrenchments, capacity-building, training of shop stewards, and the overall role of unions.

The commitment to dialogue and resolution was emphasised as the path forward in addressing the complex challenges faced by the mining sector.