NUM to fight retrenchments at Helam mine

NUM Press Statement, 19 August 2014

NUM to fight retrenchments at Helam mine

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is concerned and saddened that Helam mine a division of Petra diamonds is going to retrench 370 employees at the mine. 

Helam mine is situated at Swartruggens in the North West province.

Helam mine has 421 permanent employees and 253 are NUM members

"The company is not supposed to talk about Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 before they comply with Minerals and Pretroleum Resources Development (MPRDA)Act of 2002 section 52 which states that if the company anticipate to retrench 10% or more employees it has to inform the Minister of Minerals Resources. The NUM request Minister of Mineral Resources Ngoako Ramatlhodi to intervene immediately to stop this drastic action by the company that will leave hundreds of mineworkers in dire situation. The high number of retrenchments will contribute to high unemployment rate in South Africa," said Lekhotla Mabea, NUM Chief Negotiator at Helam mine .

As the NUM, we will fight tooth and nail to make sure that these retrenchments do not happen. 

The NUM has noted that the same company Petra diamonds has applied for additional mining rights in the same area where it is operating.

For more information, please contact:

Lekhotla Mabea: (NUM Chief Negotiator at Helam Mine)-082 343 8203
Livhuwani Mammburu: (Acting NUM National Spokesperson )-083 809 3257

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167