NUM Matlosana region to embark on a protest march tom

Press statement, 13 September 2018

NUM MATLOSANA REGION TO EMBARK ON A PROTEST MARCH TOMORROW

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in Matlosana region will embark on a protest action to all mining houses in the region to demand equal treatment of workers, living wages, safe working environment and full compliance of social and labour plans.

The protest action will take place as follows:

Date: 14 September 2018
Time: 14H00 to 18H00
Venue: Vaal Reefs Orkney

We are calling on all the mining houses to avail themselves to receive our demands. We are fully aware that mining companies thrive through divide and rule, we will not despair to demand that the parasitic capital must adhere to uniformity in terms of wage increases and other workers benefits.

We demand that mine bosses must stop retrenchments which is the brutal tactic they are applying every time when there are wage negotiations and towards the country’s national elections in 2019. The use of labour brokers and use of contract workers to perpetuate slavery wages and cheap labour must stop with immediate effect.

In the past three years, there has been increased in fatalities and many mineworkers lost their lives. There is no interest from the mining houses to improve the safety measures in their mines to stop these fatalities.

Mining houses like Harmony Gold and Village Main Reef have stopped the services of West Vaal hospital after having acquired Moab Khotsong and Kopanang mines, all in the name of a focus on “Core Business”.

Retrenched workers are being removed in a cruel manner by mines from mine houses in this region without giving consideration to the family structure, and also this results in destabilizing children education.

Mines have neglected issues of safety in the mine communities resulting in those living in mining communities subjected to torture, rapes and all forms of the brutality of criminals roaming the streets freely. Women and children are the worst affected by the increase in crime in this mine communities.

Mines are not willing to comply in rehabilitation programs of old shafts that are not operational.

The hostility of management against the NUM has intensified. Management proudly meddles in the affairs of the union. Some of the management have a direct interest in the outcomes of branch conferences and use their positions of power and resources to try to lobby for their preferred candidates.

Some of the management has interests in replacing NUM with their sweetheart union and hope that the gigantic NUM will die. They failed to liquidate NUM in this region in 2012 and they will fail in 2018 and they will fail in many more years to come. Their wishes will remain wishes as the NUM Matlosana region will remain united and moving from strength to strength.

The NUM shall not abandon the struggle to transform the mines, improve the socio-economic conditions of our members and the workers in general, to monitor and ensure that you perform your obligations to plough back into communities and labour-sending areas.

For more information please contact contact

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