NUM rejects Glencore's invitation to celebrate retrenchments

NUM Press Statement, 15 July 2015

NUM rejects Glencore's invitation to celebrate retrenchments

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) rejects with contempt Glencore ‘s invitation to the opening of a so-called R8 billion project in Mpumalanga.

The NUM rejects the notion of being part of Glencore ‘s cheap Public Relations exercise of announcing a major project whilst retrenching over 628 employees at its Optimum Coal mine.

“We call on the Minister of Mineral Resources, Ngoako Ramathlodi to likewise reject this invitation to celebrate retrenchments," says William Mabapa, NUM Deputy General Secretary.

Glencore has dismally failed to abide by the laws of this country especially section 52 of the MPRDA as well as on the issue of the Social Labour Plan. “It cannot be this kind of company that wants us to grace its occasion to glorify retrenchments and unlawfulness,” Mabapa added.

“To attend this function would also be tantamount to glorifying slavery and slave wages as the company intend to retrench over 628 and hire contract workers elsewhere,” says Mabapa.

Mining companies have an obligation to comply and implement their Social and Labour Plans (SLP's) which are the conditions of their mining rights.

The NUM would not endorse the non-compliance with legislation and would view the Minister‘s attendance as an endorsement to non-compliance.

IndustriALL Director of Mining Glen Mpufane, where the NUM is an affiliate, said: “Switzerland has a good reputation for respecting workers rights and collective bargaining. However, Glencore’s actions abroad are giving the country a bad name and its behaviour would not be tolerated in Switzerland.

For more information, please contact:

William Mabapa: NUM Deputy General Secretary: 082 880 4439
Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257

The National Union of Mineworkers
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Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
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