Minerals Council SA warns Amcu strike ‘will put livelihoods in danger’
The Minerals Councils South Africa says it is deeply concerned at the potential consequences of a secondary strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).
The union has called on its members in the platinum and coal sector to embark on a secondary strike over job cuts.
This is in reaction to Sibanye-Stillwater’s announcement that it plans to shed at least 6 000 jobs.
Amcu members have been on strike at the company since mid-November following several deaths at some of Sibanye's shafts last year.
The two parties are also locked in a wage dispute.
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The council's spokesperson Charmane Russell says their main concern is the gold and platinum sectors.
"The mining industry has the potential to be the key driver of the economy and of change, it is unfathomable that Amcu would willy-nilly call for secondary strikes in an industry that is already is jeopardy."
Russell says these strikes have the potential will endanger the livelihoods of many workers.
"Employees and their families, and the country as a whole, stand to lose so much should this secondary strikes occur.”
Amcu's secondary strike is set to start on Thursday.