NUM threatens mass action over planned job cuts in gold mining sector
The National Union of Mineworkers has threatened mass action against mining companies over planned retrenchments.
NUM president Dan Balepile announced a march to Sibanye Stillwater to protest the proposed 4,000 job cuts in the gold sector.
Several mining companies have issued retrenchment notices to employees, with other mine workers already laid off.
The union also slammed companies for what it described as inadequate safety measures in place to avert fatalities during underground accidents.
“Sibanye-Stillwater has been retrenching workers every year with the intention of cutting costs and making huge profits at the expense of mineworkers. We are indeed very shocked by this intention. It is very shocking in the sense that the gold price is high, and we are also questioning the timing of this announcement, especially as we are about to enter into wage negotiations with the company,” the union said.
“We are calling for the Sibanye-Stillwater top management and the CEO Neal Froneman to resign as they are unable to stabilise and run the mining company. The NUM is sick and tired of retrenchments every year.”
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