SAFTU: Looming Amplats retrenchments all about profits
The South African Federations of Trade Unions has come out strongly against the anticipated job losses at Anglo American Platinum.
Amplats has initiated a section 189A process that will likely result in the retrenchment of 3,700 employees as it seeks to reduce R5 billion in costs.
Saftu’s spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, said Amplats plans to retrench workers simply because it wants to maximise its profits.
He said this is unacceptable.
“These layoffs threaten the livelihoods of approximately 17% of the workforce at Amplats. They are planned at a critical time amid an already staggering unemployment rate (narrow definition) of 32.1%.
“The number of employed persons decreased by 22,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023, leading to 11.6 million people being unemployed, including those who have given up looking for jobs.
“Looked at from the broader context of the economic trajectory, these retrenchments are going to worsen unemployment, which is the highest in the world.“
Shaku said the impact of the potential job losses will be devastating, affecting families and leading to increased poverty.
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