NUM is deeply worried about retrenchments at Cooke 4

NUM Press Statement, 11 July 2016

NUM is deeply worried about retrenchments at Cooke 4

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM is shocked and saddened with the notice they received from Sibanye Gold after they served the NUM with section 189 notice to retrench about 1, 702 permanent workers at its operation Cooke 4 in Westonaria, west of Johannesburg

The retrenchment of 1,702 permanent workers is bad given the fact that the majority of mineworkers support 10 people per family which mean that a lot of people will be negatively affected by this retrenchment.

The NUM calls for Sibanye Gold to implement Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 in alignment 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 the West Rand.

"The NUM will fight tooth and nail to make sure that its members are not retrenched cheaply. The NUM remain fearless, committed, dedicated and unshaken in fighting for the mineworkers. The NUM does not want to see mineworkers being retrenched. We will engage Sibanye Gold.

For more information, please contact:

Bonginkosi Mrasi: NUM Branch Secretary at Cooke 4: 078 188 4300
Livhuwani Mammburu: 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