Num to challenge Seriti retrenchments in Labour Court
The National Union of Mineworkers in Mpumalanga has approached the Labour Court to challenge Seriti Resources' decision to retrench some 1400 workers.
The coal mining giant implemented section 189 in September this year, saying the mines are no longer commercially sustainable and require restructuring to ensure sustainability.
The two affected operations are Middelburg Mine Services and Klipspruit South-East Mine.
NUM represents about 3,000 of the estimated 5,000-strong staff at Seriti Resources.
NUM Highveld Regional Chairperson Bizzah Motubatse said they requested an extension, but it was rejected.
"Seriti Resources made its presentation, and it was clear that the majority of our members in MMS and KPS do not have employment."
"The presentation confirmed our suspicion that Seriti Resources wants to end permanent employment and subject our members to contractors, whereby super-exploitation is the order of the day."
"Our members will no longer have medical aid, housing, and traveling allowance. After a rigorous and vigorous caucus by the NUM, we decided to declare a dispute."
"The NUM took a posture that said we could not allow the employer to reduce our members and direct them to contractors."
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