Mining Weekly reports that almost eight years after the 2014 strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) at Impala Platinum (Implats), trade union UASA has signed a settlement agreement with the platinum producer relating to the unlawful deduction of accumulated leave from members’ accounts in the wake of the AMCU strike action.

UASA members who were employed at Implats at the time did not take part in the AMCU strike but were prevented from going to work owing to the violence and intimidation during the strike action. UASA spokesperson Abigail Moyo indicated in a statement: “Because the mine could not guarantee a safe workplace, workers were forced to go back home.” Consequently, UASA filed a court case against Implats in respect of Section 23 of the Mines Health and Safety Act, which deals with the right of employees to leave a dangerous working place. On 21 January 2020, the Labour Court ruled in UASA’s favour, but Implats appealed the judgment. “UASA is most pleased that a positive outcome in the form of the settlement agreement has been yielded to our members after so many years,” Moyo indicated.

• Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Mining Weekly
• Read UASA’s press statement on the above at UASA News

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