NUM Matlosana region press statement regarding the mineworkers sit-in underground

Press statement, 20 May 2019

NUM MATLOSANA REGION PRESS STATEMENT REGARDING THE MINEWORKERS SIT-IN UNDERGROUND

The National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) is outraged by the arrogant, brutal and exploitative behaviour of the China Precious Metal Company (CAPM) in Orkney North West Province that refuses to listen to the workers demand of ensuring that job grading is linked to positions and workers be given a living out allowance.

NUM started wage negotiations with the CAPM in September 2018. The management of the Company (South African based) offered 8% which was overturned by the Chinese based management and decided to offer a 0% increase. The Company arrogant and don’t care capitalist attitude angered the workers and 69 workers (55 males and 14 females) to staged a sit-in underground last week Saturday morning which enters its third day today. After the intervention of the NUM, the Management conceded on 8% with conditions that they can only link that to job grading if there is production and there will be no living out allowances.

It is this kind of arrogance by CAPM management that provoked the workers to resort to sit-in underground. We view this behavior by CAPM as a sign of not caring about mineworkers. Capitalists don’t value anything expect maximization of creation of wealth.

NUM will not sell it's members to the bloodsucking capitalists. We will stand with workers and advance their mandate without fear or favour. We call on the ANC led government through the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to urgently convene a high delegation meeting between the NUM, CAPM and the DMR to resolve the matter and ensure that all the workers who are underground come to the surface.

As NUM we stand with the workers and we will not deviate from their demands of decent wages, proper job grading and living out allowances.

END

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF MINEWORKERS.

For more information, please contact:

Joseph Montisetse: NUM President: 082 809 2391.
Masibulele Naki: NUM Matlosana Regional 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/100860023402167