Covid-19: Amcu in court to get mining minister to issue health regulations
Amcu says that it has pleaded with the Department of Mineral and Energy Resources to set health and safety standards for mineworkers.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) will be in the Labour Court today (29 April) to argue for an order to compel the Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources, Gwede Mantashe, to issue binding regulations to protect mineworkers.
On 23 April, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) issued an advisory that all mining operations could be ramped up to 50 per cent capacity while taking preventative measures to ensure mineworkers are not at risk of contracting Covid-19.
Amcu said in a statement that it has pleaded with the department to set health and safety standards for mineworkers, as they are uniquely vulnerable to the virus. “This vulnerability includes the peculiar risks posed by highly congested working areas with low levels of natural ventilation, coupled with the high levels of predisposition caused by silicosis and tuberculosis.”
It said that it fears these factors will lead to widespread infections among mineworkers and the vulnerable communities in which they live.
In the 23 April statement released by the DMRE, the department said that safety measures must be taken which includes rigorous screening, testing employees with symptoms, adequate social distancing, provision of quarantine facilities and personal protective equipment and the establishment of a personal hygiene programme.
Amcu proposed certain amendments to the standard operating procedure (SOP), which was proposed by the Minerals Council. The union said the SOP lacked specificity in relation to the correct standard of personal protective equipment, the maintenance of proper social distancing measures in underground situations such as lift cages and the supply of proper hand sanitiser at specific points.
The union said that the DMRE and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) opposed the relief sought by the union, with the DMRE arguing that the current regulations are sufficient to protect mineworkers.
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said, “As Amcu, want the state to take up its role as regulator. They must be impartial and look after the interests of the workers as well.”
He concluded, “We need to know that workers are safe before they return to work and go underground.”
The court case is set to take place via Zoom.
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