ASA Dilokong Chrome Mine workers back at work in Limpopo.

NUM Press Statement, 26 January 2016

ASA Dilokong Chrome Mine workers back at work in Limpopo.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is relieved to announce that all workers who had been locked out of the mine by ASA Dilokong Chrome mine management since the 29th of October 2015 went back to work yesterday.

The NUM has made it clear to the mine management last week at the CCMA that there was no way that the company could talk or implement section 189 of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 if workers are still locked out of the mine.

"The mine management has agreed for the workers to go back to work. I can confirm that all workers who had been locked out are back at work since yesterday," said Phillip Mankge, NUM North East Regional Secretary.

ASA Dilokong Chrome Mine is contemplating retrenchment of up to 700 employees in their operation.

The NUM is still calling for the company to implement Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 at the same time with the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development (MPRDA) Act of 2002 Section 52 which states that if the company anticipate retrenching 10% or more employees it has to inform the Minister of Minerals Resources. The NUM request Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane to intervene immediately to stop this drastic action by the company that will leave hundreds of mineworkers in a dire situation and the surrounding communities in Limpopo. The high number of retrenchments will contribute to a high unemployment rate in South Africa which is sitting at 25,5%.

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

The NUM will continue to defend and protect the job security of mineworkers at all cost.

The NUM in its 34 years of existence had fought very hard against the brutal apartheid regime and employers. We remain unshaken and will not be intimidated by this arrogant company ASA Metals.

For more information, please contact:

Phillip Mankge: NUM North East Regional Secretary: 083536 5947 or 076 053 3401.
Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting NUM National Spokesman: 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