The miners’union AMCU vows to continue its 16-week strike in South Africa’s platinum sector as an undisclosed number of its members went back underground yesterday (Wednesday)
The strike-breakers were meeting a deadline by Lonmin for their employers to end their marathon action that’s cost them an estimated 53 million euros in lost wages.
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The miners strike has cost the owners at least 100 million euros.
They say their final offer is a ten percent pay hike
Using text messages, Lonmin polled its workers and found sixty percent want to get back underground.
President of the militant Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union Joseph Mathunjwa insists the strike is still on and will continue until workers are paid 800 euros a month.
He urges thousands of club wielding strikers to remain steadfast.
They’d gathered at a stadium near the Lonmin operations at Marikana, where 34 strikers were shot dead by police in August 2012.
Armoured police vehicles patrolled the area and a police helicopter circled overhead.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was among senior government and police officials who visited the area.
Mthethwa says they won’t tolerate any intimidation of miners wanting to return to work.
Police have the names of those instigating violence and will crack down on them shortly.
Anarchy won’t be allowed whether disguised as industrial action or not.