NUM says more than 36,000 mining jobs are under threat in next three months
by Karl Gernetzky,
2016-02-29 16:41:58.0
THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday more than 36,000 jobs were under threat in the embattled mining sector over next three months.
At the same time, the union is eyeing the construction sector and gearing up to go back to the platinum sector to regain lost membership.
The union estimated on Monday that a further 100,000 jobs could be at risk in a sector beset by low commodity prices and consistently increasing costs. That total includes contract jobs and the possible effect of Anglo-American’s move to dispose of assets
Speaking at a briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, NUM general secretary David Sipunzi said 36,773 jobs were at stake during retrenchment consultation processes, although these could be mitigated by transfers during consultation.
Anglo American is preparing to shed dozens of mines globally over the next four years to focus on diamonds, platinum and copper, with the company expected to reduce staff globally by 78,000.
This includes sale of its South African coal and manganese interests, with Kumba Iron Ore and De Beers currently in a restructuring process.
Mr Sipunzi said on Monday the union membership had declined from 206,000 in June 2015 to 198,000 at the end of January 2016. This was primarily due to job losses in the sector.
The union also welcomed a decision by the Competition Tribunal to clear the way for the Gupta-controlled Tegeta Exploration and Resources to acquire Optimum Coal, on condition there were no job cuts that were merger-specific job losses. The union welcomed this: "It will save the jobs for now, we are not sure for how long," said Mr Sipunzi.
"Mining is on a downward spiral, our potential growth as a union lies in the construction sector," he said. The union also believed that active visibility by union officials in the platinum sector would recoup members lost to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union since 2012.
Anglo Platinum miners board an underground lift underground at Thembelani 1Shaft in Rustenburg in this May 2014 file photo Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
THE National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday more than 36,000 jobs were under threat in the embattled mining sector over next three months.
At the same time, the union is eyeing the construction sector and gearing up to go back to the platinum sector to regain lost membership.
The union estimated on Monday that a further 100,000 jobs could be at risk in a sector beset by low commodity prices and consistently increasing costs. That total includes contract jobs and the possible effect of Anglo-American’s move to dispose of assets
Speaking at a briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, NUM general secretary David Sipunzi said 36,773 jobs were at stake during retrenchment consultation processes, although these could be mitigated by transfers during consultation.
Anglo American is preparing to shed dozens of mines globally over the next four years to focus on diamonds, platinum and copper, with the company expected to reduce staff globally by 78,000.
This includes sale of its South African coal and manganese interests, with Kumba Iron Ore and De Beers currently in a restructuring process.
Mr Sipunzi said on Monday the union membership had declined from 206,000 in June 2015 to 198,000 at the end of January 2016. This was primarily due to job losses in the sector.
The union also welcomed a decision by the Competition Tribunal to clear the way for the Gupta-controlled Tegeta Exploration and Resources to acquire Optimum Coal, on condition there were no job cuts that were merger-specific job losses. The union welcomed this: "It will save the jobs for now, we are not sure for how long," said Mr Sipunzi.
"Mining is on a downward spiral, our potential growth as a union lies in the construction sector," he said. The union also believed that active visibility by union officials in the platinum sector would recoup members lost to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union since 2012.
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