Local News
Petra Diamonds confirms possiblity of massive retrenchment─── SABRINA DEAN 15:34 Wed, 20 Aug 2014
Bloemfontein - Petra Diamonds has confirmed it is at an advanced stage with section 189 negotiations that could see more than half the workforce at its Helam mine near Swartruggens in North West retrenched.
General Support Manager Egbert Klapwijk says the company has been in negotiations with all relevant trade unions, namely the NUM, Amcu and Solidarity, for about three months.
The National Union of Mineworkers has said as many as 370 of the mine’s 421 employees could be retrenched.
The union said in a statement it is “concerned and saddened” at the possible retrenchment, adding that Petra has failed to inform the Minister of Mineral Resources it anticipates retrenching more than 10% of its workforce, as required by legislation.
Klapwijk maintains that negotiations have been open and transparent. He says the company is confident it has notified and consulted with all relevant stakeholders.
Sabrina Dean/OFM News
Petra confirms advanced retrenchment negotiation:
