Mineworkers vow to continue sit-in at Weziwe Bakubung in NW

The miners have been underground since failing to resurface on Wednesday.

They have accused the mine of ignoring a previous peace accord ruling by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which directed management and worker representatives to address the concerns that led to an unprotected strike in July.

NUM branch leader at the mine Joel Sefali said workers are demanding wage increases, an end to looming retrenchments and maternity benefits for women employees.

"Women who are pregnant must stay at work until their in their [last trimester], because currently when you are a woman and you are pregnant, they terminate your contract and medical aid."

Sefali said the miners want Bakubung to pay the lower-grade workers R17,000 a month.

"Remember, Bakubung is paying their lower grade workers R6,500 and giving them a R2,000 housing allowance."

Wesizwe is set to cut over 500 jobs at the mine, citing past work stoppages including the July strike and low platinum prices.

But Sefali accused the mine, which is majority owned by the Jinchuan Group International Resources, of being arrogant and disingenuous.

"While they are giving people section 189, on the other hand they are busy recruiting. On Tuesday, there were posts that they advertised."

He said workers have rejected management's offer to discuss their grievances on Tuesday, saying that they will not come up until their demands are met.

Sefali added that efforts to negotiate with management have stalled.

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