NUM is deeply worried about the decision taken by Petra Diamonds to retrench over 200 mineworkers

Media Statement, 09 February 2025

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) strongly rejects the purported retrenchments of about 200 workers at Petra Diamond. This decision is unacceptable as it will have devastating consequences for the affected employees, their families, the broader community, and the economy.

Petra Diamonds has issued Sections 189 at two of its operations at Cullinan, East of Pretoria and Finsch in the Northern Cape to retrench 200 employees from both operations. The company pointed out that the diamond industry is facing the longest downturn in over 30 years, driven by global economic factors such as the slowdown demand in China and the rise of lab-grown diamonds as reasons for its situation and decision.

The NUM is worried about these impending retrenchments at both Cullinan and Finsch mines. The NUM has observed with serious concern that the majority of mining companies that are retrenching workers around the country are replacing them with contract workers. This is capitalist barbarism at its best.

To retrench any workers above a hundred in a country where the unemployment rate is at 40% in 2025 is unpatriotic and simply a manifestation of the brutality of national and international business to prioritize profits above nationhood.

"For our economy to reach projected annual economic growth it needs not guzzle work opportunities but create more jobs to induce economic growth. While we note the potential adverse impact of the global diamond market currently it is not justifiable to destroy jobs to preserve super profits for avaricious shareholders and self-centred super-rich oligarchy," Masibulele Naki, NUM Diamond Sector Chief Negotiator.

"We note that for operations to be sustainable, they must align with their vision. However, cutting costs as a consequence does not have to lead to job cuts but to an alignment in how much the executives and shareholders take home," Naki added.

We further denounce any imperialists venture that sacrifices workers livelihood such as the undermining of the Kimberly Process. This deliberate G7 sabotage of the legitimate national development. Therefore, we condemn attempts to make Belgium a single node of diamonds entering the G7 countries.

The NUM is also calling for the government and the Diamond Leadership Forum at the Minerals Council of South Africa to convene an urgent session to discuss the future of the diamond industry in South Africa.The session must also include the labour unions. If this is not done the possibility of all diamond mining companies in SA closing down looms large and must be prevented to mitigate jobs bloodbath and unemployment carnage in the sector.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Masibulele Naki, NUM Health and Safety Secretary, 073 333 7745

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/10086002340216