NUM remains resolute in efforts to mitigate massive retrenchments in the South African diamond sector

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) vehemently opposes any attempt to replace permanent employees at Petra Diamond Mine with outsourced labour, a practice we condemn as a modern form of exploitation.

Since the beginning of 2025, the NUM has been engaged in consultations with Petra Diamond Mine under Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act, concerning the potential retrenchment of approximately 468 workers at the Finsch and Cullinan Mines.

During our initial consultation on January 21, 2025, Petra Mine cited the following reasons for their intended retrenchments:
1. Challenging global diamond market conditions. 
2. Upcoming debt refinancing. 
3. Operational underperformance. 
4. Necessity for cost reduction and restructuring. 

"The NUM believes these justifications are pretexts to sacrifice workers and shield executives from accountability for operational failures. A counterproposal submitted by the NUM, designed to save the company R6 million and avert retrenchments, was summarily rejected by Petra Mine management," said Masibulele Naki, NUM Health and Safety Secretary and Chief Negotiator in the Diamond Sector.

"In subsequent engagements facilitated by the CCMA on March 14, 2025, the NUM continued to contest Petra Mine's intention to retrench 84 workers. As typical of capitalist enterprises, Petra Mine defended its proposal, which we view as a brutal assault on workers to protect executive self-interest and shareholder profits," Naki added.

The NUM has secured a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Petra Mine, providing for a R10,000 relocation allowance for affected workers. The MOU also included a twelve-month recall clause, and a monitoring committee will be established to support impacted workers.

The NUM reiterates its call for the Minerals Council of South Africa, diamond mining companies, and the government to convene an urgent meeting with labour unions to address the crisis facing the South African diamond industry.

The deafening silence from employers in response to our call speaks volumes. Their silence is not passive; it signals an endorsement of industry-wide labour unrest. The NUM will not passively await further job losses.

"We are prepared to confront the greedy mining oligarchy to defend job security," states Masibulele Naki, NUM Chief Negotiator. This struggle will involve affected communities, who will also suffer from the loss of breadwinners due to these retrenchments," Naki concluded.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Masibulele Naki, NUM Health and Safety Secretary and Chief Negotiator in the Diamond Sector, 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