Amplats to start layoff process

[OrbitalDawn]

Johannesburg - Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS] (Amplats) will begin the formal process of cutting 6 000 mining jobs at the end of this week, the company said on Wednesday, in a move that could spark more unrest in the volatile platinum belt.

Under a plan announced in January, Amplats, the world's top platinum producer, said it would cut 14 000 jobs but later scaled down the layoffs after a backlash from the government and unions.

Unions have still vowed to fight the job cuts, although a protest strike called last week by at least two officials at the militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) failed to materialise.

Amplats said talks coordinated by the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) would begin later this week.

"Anglo American Platinum, government and the unions will seek to resume the structured process under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration on Friday 24 May," it said in a statement.

Tensions in the platinum mines around Rustenburg are running high amid a turf war between Amcu and the National Union of Mineworkers. More than 50 people were killed in the unrest last year, and wildcat strikes hit production.

Link.

 

[Shake&Bake]

Watch the share price dive and cost me even more imaginary money

 

[grok]

I have an idea .. let's strike some more!

 

[daveza]

Going to be a bad time for rabbits.

 

[DreamKing]

I have an idea.....

1) government provide lands. (mining / farming or whatsoever)
2) let's cosatu employ them all. PS: pay "decent" salary, maybe R20k or more.
3) get a free loan from gov.

what will happen after 2 years?

 

[mike156]

All of this has really hit our import business and the strikes haven't even started in earnest yet