69 mineworkers staging underground sit-in at Orkney mine
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has expressed concern over 69 mineworkers who are staging an underground sit-in at the Orkney mine shaft number 7 in North West.
The mine belongs to China Precious Metal Company.
According to NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu the mineworkers have been staging the sit-in underground since Saturday. The dispute relates to the mine refusing to sign an 8% salary increase.
"Last night (Sunday) until the early hours of this morning (Monday) we had a meeting with the company directors, until early hours of this morning trying to convince them to make sure that workers come out underground.
"It wasn't successful, there was another meeting earlier this morning around eight, which is still ongoing, but the workers are still underground and refusing to come out.”
LISTEN BELOW:
NUM is deeply saddened that 69 mineworkers are staging a sit in underground at No 7 shaft in Orkney since yesterday. The company had refused to sign 8 percent wage agreement that was negotiated with the workers @eNCA @NUM_Media @SABCNewsOnline . pic.twitter.com/WJVThtkqUz
— Livhuwani Mammburu (@mammburu) May 19, 2019
NUM President Joseph Montisetse had just come of underground at No 7 shaft mine in Orkney where 69 mineworkers are staging a sit in underground. Montisetse said the workers had turned down the latest offer from the company @eNCA @SABCNewsOnline @NUM_Media pic.twitter.com/cWiWAoHASw
— Livhuwani Mammburu (@mammburu) May 19, 2019