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BusinessLive reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) intends taking Mineral Resources & Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe to court to compel him to ensure the safety and health of mineworkers as they return to work on the mines.
Last week Mantashe announced that mines would restart production at half their capacity and gradually ramp up under strictly controlled conditions with the expectation of reaching full production late in May. Amendments announced in terms of mining legislation loosened up some of the stringent regulations that were put in place from the beginning of the national lockdown in place since late March. On Thursday, Amcu sent Mantashe a letter of demand asked him to declare Covid-19 a health hazard in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act and to announce measures that would ensure the health and safety of mineworkers. It also asked that the chief inspector of mines issue Covid-19 guidelines and direct all employers to prepare and implement codes of practice in line with the guidelines. Issues to be addressed should include the screening and testing for Covid-19 at mines, the practice of social distancing, and what sort of protective gear is supplied to miners. Richard Spoor, representing Amcu, said on Sunday that they had not yet received an official response to their letter of demand and that the union was set to file court papers on Monday
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Claudi Mailovich at BusinessLive
- Read too, Amcu calls for urgent coronavirus summit in mining sector, at EWN
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page