Intimidation and violence have no place in wage negotiations
The scenes of intimidation that are beginning to emerge out of the mine strike in Rustenburg are deeply disturbing and unnecessary.
So says the Minister of Labour who has called on all the parties to commit to an early resolution of the impasse at the platinum mines. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union downed tools two weeks ago with a demand that the three mines, Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin raise the wages to the minimum of R12 500.
“In as much as those workers who are on strike are exercising their right, they should also respect the right of other workers who do not wish to be part of the strike. Violence and intimidation cannot be condoned and law enforcement should take the necessary steps to protect lives and property,” said Minister Mildred Oliphant.
The Minister has also cautioned again long-drawn out strikes saying that in the end, workers do not benefit anything.
“I am of the view that after a certain period of sustained action, the strike ceases to be a weapon for workers interests but an arrow that inflicts pain and wounds in the workers themselves. Precisely because of the principle of no work no pay, by the time a settlement is reached, workers have lost a lot more than they could ever gain,” she said.
“To all negotiators, I know that you are busy with the negotiations. I wish that you will find one another (employers and unions) sooner rather than later and come to the agreement as swiftly as possible. We are still reeling from the world economic meltdown and we need to get the country working as smoothly as possible to be able to get the economy to create the jobs we so desperately need,” she said.
The companies also lose out in the long run and as partners, both sides need to ensure that they agree as soon as possible. She also weighed on the threat by Amplats that close to 2 000 workers stand to be retrenched as a result of the strike saying that kind of talk does not make the negotiations easy.
For more information:
Musa Zondi
Cell: 082 901 8081
