EWN reports that Eskom has given employees the assurance that it will do everything possible not to shed jobs as it plans to close down five coal-fired stations in Mpumalanga.  

The state-owned power utility will be phasing out the Grootvlei, Kriel, Camden, Hendrina and Komatipoort power stations over the next five years to accommodate renewable independent power producers.  On Thursday, workers affiliated to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) handed over a memorandum to Eskom, asking the employer to withdraw its decision with immediate effect.  Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said:  “We will do everything possible to avoid job losses.  If it comes to that we might actually move them around within our power stations.”  The union has given Eskom a week to respond to its concerns over possible job cuts.

• A short report by Mia Lindeque is at EWN

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