By Simon Nare
The National Union of Mineworkers has issued a stark warning about the looming crisis of retrenchments in South Africa’s industrial and mining sectors, which could have devastating consequences for workers and their communities.
It has called for urgent government intervention.
NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said on Wednesday that every worker supported up to 10 people and the retrenchments would affect thousands of lives.
He was speaking following that union’s national executive committee meeting.
“We call upon mining companies to stop outsourcing under the pretext of cost cutting. This is pure exploitation of workers and rather maximising profit at the expense of workers.,” Mammburu said.
One of the major concerns discussed was the 3500 jobs on the line at ArcelorMittal.
The situation threatens both the steel industry and the broader economy, with the NEC calling for urgent government intervention to address operational costs, transportation, and high export tariffs.
It is advocating for the reclamation of ArcelorMittal as a state entity to safeguard jobs and economic stability.
The union highlighted the ongoing retrenchments in the mining sector, particularly in ferrochrome production, where high tariffs and electricity prices have left South African producers unable to compete with China.
It urged the government to intervene through the departments of Mineral Resources, Energy, Trade, and Labour to protect jobs in Limpopo and the North West.
The NEC expressed concerns over Transnet’s inefficiencies, which have negatively impacted logistics for mining companies, highlighting that reduced rail capacity has forced an increased reliance on trucks which has contributed to road deterioration and rising accident rates.
“The NEC is concerned about the impact of Transnet’s dysfunctionality, which results in decreased production and often leads to retrenchment and worsening unemployment,” Mammburu said
The union stressed the need for government intervention, arguing that privatisation should not be the only solution.
While South Africa recorded its lowest-ever mining fatalities in 2024, with 42 deaths, the NEC stressed that even a single fatality is too many.
With over seven fatalities already recorded since the beginning of the year, NUM reiterated its call for mining companies to prioritise worker safety over profit.
The union urged the Mineral Resources Department to hold companies accountable for unsafe working conditions and to enforce stricter regulations.
The union has welcomed the government’s plan to appoint more labour inspectors to enforce compliance with labour laws, particularly in the construction industry.
It emphasised the need to eliminate corruption among inspectors and ensure workplace safety regulations were upheld.
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