Seriti Resources plan to cut 1137 coal jobs a ‘declaration of war’ - NUM
NUM says ‘it won’t allow greediness’, reacting to Seriti’s plans to cut 1137 jobs and providing insight into how the union prepares to confront this potential crisis.
Bizzah Motubatse, Highveld Regional Chairperson of the National Union of Mineworkers, joins Africa Melane.
Listen below.
One of the country's leading coal producers is preparing to cut more than a thousand jobs.
Seriti Resources has announced plans to downsize its workforce, citing declining demand for coal and the increasing focus on renewable energy sources.
"We recognise that this exercise will negatively impact our workforce and local communities. We have not taken this step lightly," said Seriti CEO Mike Teke.
The move will be a tough blow for employees and communities which rely on the coal industry.
NUM's Motubatse says the move is a 'declaration of war' and not the first time the company has made such changes.
"They replaced permanent employees with contractors."
- Malekutu Bizzah Motubatse, Highveld Regional Chairperson - National Union of Mineworkers
"They say they want to change the business model. The intention is just to dismiss those workers through section 189 and the following day they bring contractors to continue mining."
- Malekutu Bizzah Motubatse, Highveld Regional Chairperson - National Union of Mineworkers
Section 189(1) of the Labour Relations Act contains the provisions necessary for an employer to retrench workers.
Motubase says workers were issued notices on Monday.
"In the early hours of the morning, with the intention to embark on that particular process."
- Malekutu Bizzah Motubatse, Highveld Regional Chairperson - National Union of Mineworkers
Motubatse says NUM has instructed its lawyers over the matter and is looking at a way forward, 'to make sure that we don't allow greediness'.
"We're looking at possibility of interdicting this attachment.'
- Malekutu Bizzah Motubatse, Highveld Regional Chairperson - National Union of Mineworkers
Seriti is Eskom's largest coal supplier, operating six opencast and underground coal mines, at Middelburg Mine Services (MMS) and Klipspruit South-East.
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