The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union in South Africa questions the government exemption provided to gold, platinum and even diamond mines as essential services and has accused the mining department of succumbing to pressure from companies
The union’s demand of a phased wage hike for mine workers, along with other health and housing benefits, is in light of the windfall gains accrued by the mining companies due to soaring prices of the platinum group metals
The strike action, which had been underway since May 13, was called off after the company reinstated the dismissed workers and met all their demands.
The 947 workers at Amplats’ Limpopo platinum mine were dismissed after they went on an eight-day strike. The workers were protesting the company’s bid to change their contract unilaterally