NUM condemns Richards Bay Minerals decision to suspend operations

NUM Press Statement, 12 May 2016

NUM condemns Richards Bay Minerals decision to suspend operations

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is extremely concerned and totally condemns the decision by Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) to shut down operations without consulting the NUM as a majority union.

RBM a subsidiary of Rio Tinto suspended its operations because of the protesting communities of Sokhulu and Mbonambi tribal authorities.

This unilateral decision has far reaching consequences for the mine because it has adverse effects for our members and workers who are not part of the dispute that led to the closure of the mine.

“We have learned with dismay that workers are going to lose income as they will not be paid during the period of shut down and that they must utilise their accumulated leave days,” says NUM KZN Regional Coordinator Bhekani Ngcobo.

We are appalled by the mine bosses decision to selectively compel some workers to provide service during the shutdown period which expose them to attacks from the aggrieved communities.

The NUM also demand that RBM guarantees that the workplace is safe and conducive for workers to perform their duties freely without intimidation before they go back to work.

“We want the mine to commit in writing that workers will be paid their salaries in full for the period of shutdown and management must refrain from intimidating shop stewards for expressing workers views on this matter,” says Ngcobo.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Bhekani Ngcobo: NUM KZN Regional Coordinator at 071 670 6349
Ngoako Matsha: Media Officer at 083 809 3251

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

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