THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has suspended its strike at the Reagetswe, Triple M, and Newrak mining companies pending wage negotiations.
Last week, more than 4 000 workers affiliated with metalworkers’ union Numsa embarked on an indefinite strike over the alleged exploitation of workers at the three companies contracted to supply services to the mine.
“Our members agreed to suspend the strike at Newrak to allow for talks between the employer and the union to resolve these issues,” said the union in a statement.
“We will be meeting with Newrak on Tuesday the 28th of June. If these talks fail and we do not find each other, we have the right to continue with the strike. The strike at Reagetswe and Triple M has been interdicted and therefore strikes at both these companies have been suspended as well and workers have returned to work.”
NUMSA said contract workers have the right to be represented by a union, especially because they are so deeply exploited.
It said Implats has created an abnormal working environment where the principle of equal pay for work of equal value is violated everyday.
“The pay gap between permanent employees and contract workers is huge, and NUMSA is determined to fight to eradicate this neo-Apartheid wage gap created by Implats,” the union said in a statement.
According to NUMSA, a rock drill operator (RDO) employed on a permanent basis by Implats can earn R17,000 (USD 1,062). However, an RDO employed by contractors is paid only R5,000 (approximately USD 312).
According to NUMSA, these contract companies have grossly exploited workers while Implats has “shamefully washed its hands of the situation.”
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