Afriques du sud : Strike grows as NUM serves notice on gold producers

The current strikes in both the coal and diamond sectors involving 155 000 mineworkers will on Thursday grow bigger as over 250 000 more miners from the gold sector join the strike.

The NUM has served a notice to the gold mining companies such as Anglogold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Goldfields and Rand Uranium notifying them of the impending massive industrial action that would befall them on Thursday. The NUM is determined to force the companies to lend an ear to its wage demands.

It is totally regrettable that that the union has to opt for this last resort of a strike action as the companies are reluctant to make pay moves in spite of gold being a pseudo-currency and a save haven for investors. With gold selling at 1650 US Dollars, the strike is likely to shatter the dreams of the arrogant industry bosses who refuse to award workers what is due to them in order to pocket it for themselves. The strike at De Beers has today entered its fourth day and continues.

Meanwhile talks between the NUM and the Chamber of Mines are ongoing at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to try and resolve the coal strike. The collieries are generally feeling the pinch and have begun asking for mercy from the unlikely quarters, the workers. Should today‘s talks falter, the NUM will consolidate and strengthen its arm over the mining industry to ensure zero production. The National Union of Mineworkers appeals to the employers to accede to the demands of its poor workforce. The NUM remains committed to a peaceful resolution to the strikes.

Lesiba Seshoka, NUM National Spokesperson