ANC calls on mine firms to stop job cuts

Amid the impending retrenchment of tens of thousands of mine workers, the ANC says mine workers could not continue to bear the brunt of job cuts and is calling on mining companies to find an alternative course of action.

Gold Fields, one of the world’s largest gold mining firms, announced a restructuring at its South Deep operation on Tuesday.

The company said this would result in approximately 1 560 jobs being cut.

This news came a week after Impala Platinum announced it would cut 13 000 jobs over two years also in a restructuring process.

Gold Fields said notices in terms of section 189 of the Labour Act would be served on the two unions representing workers at South Deep.

This would be followed by a 60day consultation process facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

The company said Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe had been informed of these developments.

The ANC said the mining sector was the backbone of industrial development and that the South African economy relied on it.

It added that it was completely opposed to retrenchments in the private or public sectors.

“Over the years, the mining sector has been shedding jobs, and the recent pronouncement of more than 50 000 purported job losses across the board is shocking, as every mineworker benefits seven or more family members,” it said.

Mantashe said earlier this week that he was concerned about Gold Fields decision to go ahead with restructuring plans without due regard to processes spelled out in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.

“In terms of section 52 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, which enjoins all the parties, we call on the sector to urgently convene a dialogue aimed at finding alternative solutions to this impasse,” the ANC said yesterday.

“It is unsustainable for mine workers to continue to bear the brunt of job losses, as this is not necessarily a function of productivity, but historical and irrational management decisions.” – ANA

It is unsustainable for mine workers to continue to bear the brunt of job losses, as it is not necessarily a function of productivity, but of historical and irrational management decisions.

ANC statement