SA government pulls out of mining mediation
June 10, 2014, 9:45 am

South Africa’s Mineral Resources Minister Ramatlhodi at the mining briefing on government’s withdrawal from facilitating talks on 10 June 2014, Pretoria, South Africa [GCIS]

South Africa’s Minerals Resources Minister Ngoako ?Ramatlhodi warned that the “situation is grave” but claimed the government facilitation was “successful”, and “as of last week Friday, there was only one issue remaining”.

“The reason was simply because I believe enough work has been done to facilitate, and that parties may continue to negotiate,” Ramatlhodi said on Tuesday at a press briefing in Pretoria.

The government, has however, announced a mining package to “alleviate the socio economic impact” of the crippling strikes.

“We are knocking on the door of job losses should the strike not be resolved,” said Ramatlhodi.

As of Friday, the parties, AMCU and the world’s top three platinum producers, Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin, had agreed on the workers final demand that their basic wages be more than doubled to 12,500 rand ($1,200) a month.

However, outstanding issues include negotiations on how many years would the wage be phased in and the removal of a live-in allowance. Mine owners have said if they meet R12500 in a shorter time, they might have to shut down some mining shafts, resulting in job losses.

About 70,000 workers downed tools in January, demanding higher pay.

The Mining Minister had said earlier the government could “take them to the river but not make them drink”.

On Tuesday’s press briefing, the South African Minister also responded to media reports on allegations of foreign forces influencing mining strikes in the country.

“There are Swiss nationals that were helping Amcu with negotiations,” said Ramatlhodi.

 TBP