Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) at Moab Khotsong operations of Harmony Gold in Orkney, near Klerksdorp, North West, are threatening to down tools if mine management does not heed to workers’ demands for better wages and better working conditions.
During their march to mine premises, workers accused management of failing to prioritise their interests at the current wage negotiations.
Mineworkers are calling for transformation in their interest, saying that the time has come for the mine to put profits aside and invest in safety and security of workers.
“We want a better life. We have no hospital here. Our wages are also never regular,” says one miner.
Another miner says: “Since Harmony took over, zama zamas came along and we get raped. A lady was raped by 15 men. We don’t even have transport to come to work because of harmony.”
Workers have threatened to down tools if the mine’s response is not favourable to them, as
NUM Regional Secretary Masibulele Naki says: “They must respond positively to the issues that are demanded at chamber of mines and those issues are listed there and part of those issues is the salary increase and allowances so we are saying to them if they respond positively we will withdraw labour.”
Harmony has been given seven working days to respond to the demands of the workers.
Mine management has committed to responding to workers’ demands in due time.
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