Deep concern over mining job cuts

Bishops in South Africa have expressed grave disquiet over planned job cuts by mining companies affecting thousands of mine workers, writes Munyaradzi Makoni. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC, comprising bishops of South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland) said it was saddened by retrenchments blamed on sliding commodity prices.

The National Union of Mineworkers said in June that 5,000 to 10,000 jobs had been lost from the mining industry since January, while around 30 companies plan to retrench  15,000 to 20,000 more workers.

Lonmin, the world’s largest platinum producer based in Rustenburg has said it is closing or mothballing several mines in a bid to survive plunging prices, and is cutting 6,000 jobs.
Anglo American Platinum is cutting 6,000 jobs and stepping up its cost-cutting programme.

Bishop Abel Gabuza, chairman of the SACBC Justice and Peace Commission said on 13 August that a strong impression has been created that the mining houses in South Africa are using the global crisis as an excuse to implement a long-held strategy of disposing of their assets, cutting jobs and blocking wage demands.

“They have not done enough to convince the unions that this is not the case. They should show leadership and consider opening up their financial books to the unions,” Bishop Gabuza said.

Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg told The Tablet on 18 August that the issue of job cuts was complicated. “Mines in this region are deep and more expensive to run than those in Limpopo province that are open cast and could be mechanised. In this sense there is little to be done,” he said.