Mining job cuts blamed on lack of leadership

THE ASSOCIATION of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has blamed the job cuts in the mining industry on the lack of political leadership in South Africa.

Sibanye Gold announced last week it would cut 7 400 jobs. Bokoni Platinum Mine in Limpopo announced last month it would retrench 2 651 employees. Anglo Gold Ashanti is in the process of retrenching 8 500 workers.

Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa told the media yesterday the union would not be surprised if other companies followed suit.

“Despite the challenges facing workers, there is a lack of targeted focus from the leadership of the country. People are caught in the political arena with narrow, selfish interests of jostling for power. This often happens through side-shows which captivate society and divert attention from real bread-and-butter issues,” he said.

Mathunjwa said Amcu would not take the retrenchments lying down, and would propose measures to force companies to make decisions that are not aimed solely at maximising profits.

The measures included unbundling mining operations into smaller operations with lower overheads. Mathunjwa said such unbundling could drive economic transformation by changing ownership patterns and shift assets to historically disadvantaged South Africans. – ANA