ACTS OF UNHAPPINESS
Do mineworker retrenchments meet legal requirements?
The conditions under which mineworkers are laid off are not in accordance with legal requirements or provisions that have been agreed to, their unions say
As retrenchment figures in the mining industry soar, labour unions want sections of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Mineral & Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) to be reviewed. The unions are convinced that if the mining industry followed the letter of the law in retrenchment processes, the situation of laid-off workers would be different to what it is now. Layoffs have to be carried out in terms of two pieces of legislation: section 189 (3) of the LRA and section 52 of the MPRDA. But unions say these are being flouted as companies rush to retrench at the slightest sign of trouble. The industry has shed 70,000 jobs since 2012 and the number is set to pass the 100,000 mark by the end of the year as more companies announce job cuts in light of a multitude of factors, including high operating costs and profit losses. However, unions say this is not done, and that they themselves try to slow down consultations in the hope that companies will be sold and workers rehired i...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.