The Mining Forum made up of organised labour, business and government on Friday, 8 November 2013, met in Pretoria to assess progress in the implementation of the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry.
Labour was represented by trade union federations: COSATU, FEDUSA and NACTU as well as unions: NUM, AMCU, UASA and Solidarity. Business was represented by the Chamber of Mines and the South African Mining Development Association.
The meeting noted progress in a number of commitments made in July 2013 when parties signed the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining.
The Framework Agreement identifies both short-term and medium to long term measures required to stabilise South Africa's mining sector and place it on a sustainable footing.
Ensuring the rule of law, peace and stability and the provision of proper and sustainable human settlement infrastructure in the Rustenburg Platinum belt were identified as some of the short-term measures requiring immediate action.
The meeting noted that during the past few months since the signing of the framework agreement there has been relative peace and stability in the mines and that both labour and mining companies have been conducting their affairs within the law.
The Mine Crime Combating Forum was launched in August this year and trade unions and mining companies are cooperating with the South African Police Service to maintain peace and stability in the mines and surrounding communities.
Government has also taken steps to improve the processing of all cases related to violence in the mining areas. The Minister of Justice has annexed the Magisterial Districts of Brits, Mankwe and Rustenburg to the Bafokeng Magisterial District in order to create capacity and accelerate the hearing of cases emanating from the mines in those affected areas.
Both government and business have committed financial resources and land to ensure provision of proper and sustainable human settlement infrastructure in the Rustenburg Platinum belt. A technical team is working with the local municipality to determine the full scope of the project.
The Chamber of Mines reported that mining companies continue to implement various projects to transform old style hostels into decent living accommodation.
The CCMA has conducted a series of training programmes in the mines to educate union members on best labour relations practice and workplace relations.
The Chamber of Mines reported that it has established a task team on employee indebtedness to amongst others drive financial literacy training.
Medium to long term measures include reviewing the migrant labour system, annual assessment of the implementation of the Mining Charter and the reskilling of workers to achieve competitiveness and sustainable growth of the mining sector.
The Chamber of Mines reported that it established relations with FET colleges to provide training to mineworkers.
Both the Chamber of Mines and the South African Mining Development Association reported that they had initiated processes to improve the migrant labour system in a way that it affords mineworkers adequate time with their families.
All parties reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to stabilise the mining sector and set it on a sustainable footing.
Enquiries:
Thabo Masebe, Spokesperson to the Deputy President
Cell: 082 410 8087
