Mineral Resources Minister, Ms Susan Shabangu reconvened mining stakeholders represented by Chamber of Mines, SAMDA and organised labour: NUM, AMCU, UASA, NUMSA and Solidarity to conclude outstanding issues on the peace and stability framework signed off last week.
Today's meeting follows three meetings last week which culminated in the signing of what has been agreed on as the Framework for Peace and Stability in the Mining industry and considered inputs made by AMCU who had not signed.
Today all stakeholders have agreed to the framework and signed. To this end, stakeholders have collectively committed to the implementation of the Framework.
“The signing of this framework for peace and stability in the mining industry is a major achievement towards bringing stability and enhancing collaboration by all key stakeholders to address challenges together in the future”, said Mike Teke Vice president of the Chamber of Mines.
“UASA sees this as a starting point for all future engagements between stakeholders”, said Alwyn van Heerden, sector manager Platinum at UASA.
“The framework is a positive stepping stone towards addressing socio-economic challenges facing the working class, subsequent to identifying the root causes of the mining instability and violence. This framework will be communicated to our membership at large in order to allow their inputs in shaping the peace accord”, said AMCU’s Joseph Mathunjwa.
“Solidarity is pleased that all stakeholders are committed to crafting a framework for the short term stability in the mining industry, this will ultimately lead to long term sustainability and growth of the industry and the creation of sustainable employment”, said Leigh MacMaster.
“By committing to this framework, we believe that the foundation has been laid by which stakeholders can participate in realising the envisaged peace and stability in the industry”, said Senzeni Zokwana of the NUM.
"We have made significant progress and we appreciate the constructive engagement of stakeholders, consistent with the well-entrenched culture of collaboration that characterises the mining industry stakeholders. Our work is intended to stabilise the mining industry and will position the industry along the trajectory of sustainable growth and respond to the global market conditions", said Minister Susan Shabangu.
Furthermore stakeholders have called on all workers in the sector to refrain from violence, intimidation, illegal gatherings and strikes as leaders are working expediently to normalise the working environment within the sector.
Officials will now work on a detailed action plan as part of the implementation of the framework and will report back to the principals soon.
Enquiries:
Ms Zingaphi Jakuja
Office: +27 12 444 3279
Fax: 086 617 9977
Cell: 082 766 3940
