adminMAPUTO — The South African government is taking the initiative to end a crippling platinum sector strike now in its 18th week, new Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said yesterday.
“It’s very critical, government is doing everything in its power. Government is taking the initiative,” Nene said on the sidelines of a conference in Maputo.
The impact of the strike was seen in first quarter GDP data on Tuesday, where a 24.7 percent plunge in mining output dragged South Africa’s economy into contraction.
Since the strike has spilled over into the second quarter, Africa’s most advanced economy could head into recession this year.
“It is quite essential to realise what the impact is of the continuing strike”, Nene, adding that compromise was needed from both sides. “There is mediation at the moment . . . there are meetings now under way.”
President Jacob Zuma picked a new cabinet on Sunday, and new mines minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi has put together a team to help resolve the strike, saying the deadlock in the country’s longest and costliest work stoppage would soon be broken.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said yesterday it is time for the marathon strike in the platinum mining sector to be resolved.
“Cosatu calls for a speedy resolution of the strike, in the interests of the workers, communities, and the country,” general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said in Johannesburg.
He was briefing reporters after a three-day meeting of Cosatu’s central executive committee (CEC).
Vavi said Cosatu’s role in the strike would be limited as the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was not an affiliate of the trade union federation.
“(However) we can always play a supportive role (by) calling on parties to come to the table, calling for the speedy resolution of the dispute in the interest of workers in our country, and so forth.”
Members of Amcu at Lonmin Impala Platinum and Anglo American Platinum downed tools on January 23, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12,500.
They rejected an offer by the companies to bring their pay to R12,500 by July 2017.
Vavi said the CEC deplored the current volatility in the platinum belt in the North West.
“It is possible for workers to lead a peaceful, bloodless and effective legal strike.”
Earlier this week, two houses belonging to miners were petrol- bombed in Sefikile, North West, while other workers have also been attacked.
A man, believed to be a miner, was also found hanging from a tree in Broederstroom near Brits.
On Wednesday, newly appointed Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi announced the establishment of an intergovernmental technical team to resolve the strike.
Vavi said Cosatu was encouraged by Ramatlhodi’s energy and commitment to try to solve the matter.
“We are encouraged by the energy that the new minister of minerals has brought to the table and his eagerness to work with all the parties, including Amcu, in the resolution of the strike.
“That is exactly what gives us hope that there is (a solution),” he said.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa yesterday said striking platinum mineworkers should possibly be offered shares as part of negotiations in the long-term. Addressing the Cape Town Press Club in his personal capacity, he said mining had not benefited the entire population and needed to go “back to basics”.
Offering company shares to workers would allow them to participate meaningfully in the economy.
He also proposed that employers make an offer of goodwill by paying back the salaries workers had missed by striking.
This might encourage miners to suspend the strike in a give-and-take fashion.
“. . . We may consider for the next three or four months to suspend the strike pending the finalisation of what is on the table already,” he said.
“This is so that we renew and test the sincerity of mine owners. It’s just a thought from myself.”
Holomisa was attending a function for the Marikana Support Group, which is underpinned by the UDM, the Economic Freedom Fighters and non-governmental organisations and church groups.
The support group is taking three mineworker leaders from the platinum belt on a tour to influential people and groups in Cape Town.
Holomisa suggested that in future, all union representatives and mining employers meet around a table on the same scale as negotiations for the Convention for a Democratic SA.
“Start auditing what resources we have and who is benefiting from the resources and how we can share those resources equitably,” he said.
A mining commission could look into the possibility of shareholding schemes and investigate the living conditions of miners.
On the strike itself, Holomisa said there would always be a conflict of interest where political leaders and union bosses were too closely aligned.
He was referring to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), affiliated to the tripartite alliance partner, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu).
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was wary of involving other unions in negotiations.
“We’ll rather stick to negotiating with the employer as Amcu. There is less involvement of the state because people in the state are shareholders in these mines,” he said.
“The ANC (African National Congress), Cosatu, and NUM will never give up on this exercise.”
Amcu members at Lonmin, Impala Platinum, and Anglo American Platinum downed tools on January 23, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
The strike has led to the death of at least five mineworkers. — Sapa.
derick.khumalo