Government, organised labour and business on Wednesday 3 July 2013 signed the Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry. The agreement sets out key steps and processes that will see all parties working together to ensure stability and sustainability of the mining sector for the future of South Africa's economy.
The parties recognise that the mining industry is central to South Africa's economy and job creation and that urgent steps are needed to strengthen the sector for it to withstand the current difficult global economic conditions.
The parties committed to improve processes and procedures as well as implement new measures that bring about lasting change while working together to sustain the sector by:
- Building a working relationship among stakeholders that is based on trust and respect
- Ensuring the rule of law, safety and security and ending violence and conflict
- Accelerating transformation and beneficiation within prevailing legislation, regulations, charter and existing agreements
- Eliminating negative social and economic legacies and empowering workers
- Taking necessary steps to create greater certainty and predictability in policy and regulations
- Repositioning the mining industry to become more attractive to investors and more meaningful contributor to job creation
- Accelerating the implementation of human settlement intervention to ensure that there is proper housing for mineworkers
- Attending to the problem of high levels of indebtedness of mineworkers.
All parties agree that it is important to ensure that peace and stability prevail and that human beings and property are protected so as to create an environment conducive to development. In this regard, parties reaffirm their commitment to the Framework for Peace and Stability in the Mining Industry that was signed on 25 February 2013.
Parties will desist from provocation, violence, intimidation and murder and actively discourage members from taking the law into their own hands. Government will act decisively to enforce the rule of law, maintain peace during strikes and other protests relating to labour disputes, ensure protection of life, property and the advancement of the rights of all.
Government will ensure that law enforcement agencies act in a manner that is fair, impartial and objective.
Parties will do everything legally permissible to ensure that all matters pertaining to labour relations including union recognition agreements, verification of membership and wage negotiations are conducted within the Labour Relations Act, which lays the primary foundation for labour relations in South Africa.
Parties will do everything to protect the Constitutional rights of workers to join trade unions of their choice, to declare disputes, to strike and to engage in any form of peaceful protest.
All stakeholders will participate in the development of long term strategy and support initiatives for necessary restructuring and reskilling of workers to achieve competitiveness, sustainable growth and transformation of the mining industry.
Government will take all necessary steps to enhance an environment supportive of investment. Government will ensure that the legislative and regulatory programmes provide greater predictability and certainty for the mining industry.
Government will also take steps to prevent abuse of workers by unscrupulous micro-lenders including reviewing regulations around salary deductions and garnishee orders. All stakeholders will engage actively with local and foreign investors in a structured and co-ordinated manner to ensure that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination.
Parties recognise the necessity for proper implementation and co-ordination combined with monitoring and evaluation of agreed deliverables.
The parties agreed to meet over the next twelve months on a quarterly basis or as frequently as required under the leadership of the Deputy President to ensure common action to address blockages and new issues as they arise.
Enquiries:
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
