Business Report writes that Sibanye-Stillwater intends to take advantage of the lapse in December of the six-month moratorium on retrenchments after its merger with Lonmin and axe more than 5,000 workers.
The precious metals producer announced on Wednesday that it would cut more than 5,270 jobs (3,904 employees and 1,366 contractors) at its Marikana operation and associated services, which were previously under Lonmin in North West province. Unions on Wednesday slammed the jobs bloodbath. Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted said the notice meant that the miner would now enter into a 60-day engagement with stakeholders, including unions, with the hope of finding constructive ways to avoid large job losses. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said on Wednesday that it was processing the notice and supporting documents sent as part of the rationale for the possible retrenchment. “For now, we emphasise that this notice again clearly shows the principle of profit over people,” Amcu said. National Union of Mineworkers spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu, also confirmed that the union had received a section 189 (consultation) notice from Sibanye. The Department of Mineral Resources said it was “disheartening” to hear of potential job losses at Sibanye in these tough economic times when the country is faced with increased unemployment.
- Read the full original of the above report by Siphelele Dludla at Business Report
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