Calls for transformation of entire mining industry

COSATU wants a second commission of inquiry, to run parallel to the judicial probe set up by President Jacob Zuma, to investigate mineworkers’ working and social conditions.

This is according to a congress declaration on the Lonmin Marikana mine killings that left more than 45 people dead – and has thrown into sharp relief the lack of transformation in the mining sector, the backbone of the SA economy.

The declaration – which was under discussion by delegates last night – said the independent commission would “work parallel to the judicial commission already appointed by the president”.

Its terms of reference would be “to investigate the employment and social conditions of workers in the mining industry, historically and at present”.

It would need to look at the industry’s global context and should be an inquiry on the same scale as the 1979 Wiehahn Commission into labour legislation and the 1995 Leon Commission that investigated health and safety on the mines.

The parallel inquiry would be linked to a Cosatu campaign “for the complete transformation of the mining industry”, the lengthy declaration – which was still being debated at time of going to press – said.

Earlier, Zuma told the nearly 3 000 delegates gathered at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand that violence could not become the norm in industrial disputes.

While the judicial commission of inquiry would establish “the facts around what happened in Marikana”, there were “a few immediate lessons”, Zuma said.

“Firstly, we have to find a way to restore workplace stability and labour peace.

“Violence cannot become a culture of our labour relations,” Zuma said.

Zuma said he hoped the congress would “deliberate on the balance of forces currently and also how to strengthen the federation in the current climate, especially in the mining sector”.

The declaration noted that the National Union of Mineworkers had been “at the forefront of calling for radical change” in mining, but had been frustrated by mine bosses’ “blind encouragement of splinter unions”, competition for shop stewards’ positions, the “resuscitation of tribalism in some areas” and the government’s resistance to banning labour-broking.

In the platinum sector, “employer resistance” to centralised bargaining had added to frustrations.

“What has made matters worse is that where divisions have resulted in physical attacks against National Union of Mineworkers members, the SAPS has completely failed to act.

“This has led the NUM to conclude that sections of the SAPS are part of an anti-worker, ultra-nationalist ‘state within a state’ which is acting to support a narrow grouping of business people and politicians”.

The declaration also offered Cosatu’s support to the NUM “in its call for proper policing”.

“This call for proper policing is not to be interpreted as a call for the violent repression of protesting workers.”

If adopted, the declaration will also send “a clear message” to mine workers that “united we stand, divided we fall” – and that changing the industry will depend on collective action.