13 December, 2012Following a report to its Executive Committee meeting on a high level mission of IndustriALL affiliates to South Africa, IndustriALL reiterated its unequivocal support for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
After the tragic events at the Lonmin Marikana Platinum mine on 16 August 2012, in which 34 mineworkers died in a violent clash with police forces, an IndustriALL Global Union solidarity delegation was received by NUM on 6 and 7 December 2012.
Andrew Vickers, of CFMEU, and leader of the IndustriALL mission to South Africa, reported on the appalling working and living conditions found in the mines in South Africa by the delegation.
Living in cramped, inadequate hostels and shanty towns with no facilities that are constructed on company land, the unrest of the workers is not surprising,
said Vickers.
A significant portion of the responsibility for the unrest must lie with the mining houses, which continued to make considerable profit while workers live in temporary and appalling conditions,
he added.
And it is clear to us that if you destroy NUM then you destroy the broader trade union movement in South Africa,
said Vickers.
Commenting on the current situation and the challenges faced by NUM, COSATU and the union movement in South Africa, Frans Belani, NUM General Secretary reiterated the three factors of South African society that needed to be addressed - high unemployment, poverty and inequality.
South Africa had not escaped the effects of the global financial crisis with people at the lower end of the economy, including miners, are feeling the effects,
he explained.
Frans reported that the Platinum producers have now agreed to form a Bargaining Council and next year will negotiate as an industry rather than as individual companies, and that NUM is seeking to establish Bargaining Sectors across all industries.
The government and the Chamber of Mines have agreed on a second Commission of Inquiry to look into the working and social conditions of mineworkers. A lot of faith is being put into the success of the planned second Commission of Inquiry.
The mission on 6 and 7 December took place to enable IndustriALL and key mining affiliates the opportunity to extend solidarity support to the workers and members of NUM and the national centre, COSATU, following the crisis that began in the platinum mining sector.
The mission also gave IndustriALL and affiliates an opportunity to understand first hand the events and challenges that exist, enabling an informed discussion on the issues at the Executive Committee of IndustriALL on 12 December 2012.