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PRINTNUM to down De Beers over its rush to retrench at Finsch
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) deplores and condemns diamond giant De Beers ‘s Finsch mine in overlooking retrenchment processes and rushing to serve workers with section 189 notices. The company and the NUM have been engaged in a section 189 process through which De Beers intends to retrench 350 workers this year.
“The process has now been riddled with inconsistencies as the company wants to retrench without adhering to an agreement between itself and the union” says Tshimane Montoedi, the NUM ‘s Regional Secretary in Kimberly. In terms of processes agreed upon at NEDLAC between business, labour and government, the company should have a training-layoff scheme in place before it embarks on a retrenchment drive.
“The agreement titled ‘South Africa ‘s response to the economic crisis’ sets out clear mechanisms and processes to be followed, but De Beers has now reneged from an earlier agreement” says Montoedi.
Whilst the company had initially agreed to enlist the services of Productivity SA to find a solution to the wastes it argues are problematic to the ore at Finsch, the company refused to implement the recommendations made by Productivity SA.
Productivity SA recommended that De Beers should tap into the 6,2 billion rands set aside in the coffers of the IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) for companies in distress to deal with the lot of wastes at Finsch.
Not only is De Beers refusing to implement the recommendation, it now also refuses to adhere to the Social Labour Plan. “As a union, we will now have to find a way to apply the injury to one is an injury to all principle by downing tools in all of De Beers operations” says Montoedi. “That is the only option available to us now and we will be talking to our various regions” says Montoedi.
Tshimane Montoedi- NUM Regional Secretary for the Northern Cape- 082 808 9373
Lesiba Seshoka
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
7 Rissik Street ,JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 377 2047
Mobile: 082 803 6719
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