NUM corncerned about mines operating at 50 per cent capacity
The union called on its members to refuse to work in mines and operations where necessary strict measures are not put in place to protect them from the virus.
STEELPOORT – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in the North-East Region is opposed to a call by the minister of Department of Minerals Resources and Energy (DMRE), Gwede Mantashe, to allow mines in South Africa to operate at 50 per cent capacity.
This is after NUM North-East Regional leadership revealed that they have visited various mines in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
According to NUM, they visited Booysendal, Marula, Twickenham, Modikwa, Venetia Black Chrome, Two Rivers, Glencore, PMC, Lion and Dwarsrivier, this week.
NUM is concerned that these mines are not adhering to the new regulations.
“Our reasoning behind this is informed by the issue of compliance, which is highly compromised by the mines. And we further call upon the regulator the DMRE to stop with immediate effect all operations until all measures are adhered to.
“NUM is further worried by the criteria in which the companies are using to recall employees. Screening, testing, transportation, PPE to health workers and quarantine places should be a priority to all companies before the granting of an exemption to resume operation. Social distancing is not even observed,” said Phillip Mankge, NUM North-East Regional secretary.
“We further call upon DMRE to develop a joint programme to visit all the listed mines to satisfy ourselves that adherence to guidelines and measures are put in place to combat the transmission of the pandemic.
“NUM is aware that other operations don’t have transport to ferry workers to and from the place of work, but such companies are already granted permission to resume operations and we question the DMRE on which criteria they applied to grant permission to those mines” said Mankge.
NUM said it is concerned about the health and safety of its members and non-members within its area of the jurisdiction.
“NUM is further disturbed by the level of arrogance during the consultation and in health care facilities where our members are not treated with dignity and other mines don’t have facilities in place for screening and testing and periodic medicals are done on the same facility.
NUM is extremely disappointed about occupational medical practitioners who are compromising the lives of employees by taking the side of the mine management”
The union called on its members to refuse to work in mines and operations where necessary strict measures are not put in place to protect them from the virus.
” The NUM will not hesitate to name and shame mining companies that are not adhering to the strict health and safety measures, “concluded Mankge.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News spoke to several miners who confirmed to have received SMSes from their employers ordering them to return to work.
“We were ordered to return to work via SMSes last week. Our concern is that almost everyone reported for duty. This cannot be 50 percent of the workforce,” said one of concerned miners who chose to remain anonymous.
