Mining committee must be recalled
Parliament's mineral resources committee must be recalled to address the ongoing strike in the platinum mining sector, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.
"The DA will today write to the chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on mineral resources Ms Faith Bikani, requesting an urgent meeting to address the breakdown in negotiations between the world's three-largest platinum producers, Lonmin, Impala Platinum and Anglo American Platinum, and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union [Amcu]," DA MP James Lorimer said.
"In what has become South Africa's longest strike, nearing its 15th week, talks have yielded no positive resolution."
The increase in violence after negotiations in the sector deadlocked last week meant the matter was urgent enough for MPs to be recalled.
"Failure to not only end the strike within the platinum belt and create stability within the sector as a whole will decimate both domestic and foreign investor
confidence and destroy prospects of future growth in the industry -- depriving tens of thousands of South Africans of jobs," Lorimer said.
"Those currently employed are also at risk should mining houses decide to close up shop and leave."
Amcu members have been on strike since January 23 in the platinum mining belt demanding a minimum R12,500 basic salary per month.
- Sapa