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Orkney mineworkers return to work on Monday

───   LUCKY NKUYANE 11:32 Mon, 27 May 2019

Orkney mineworkers return to work on Monday  | News Article

All 69 miners working at the Chinese African Precious Metal Company (CAPM) in Orkney near Klerksdorp in the North West are back at work on Monday.


This follows after a two-day health assessment done on them at the local hospital in Tshepong in Jouberton following a four-day strike against the company’s management. The workers were demanding, amongst others, a salary increase of 8%, better working conditions, and a living wage allowance. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in Matlosana’s regional secretary, Masibulele Naki, says all these miners were given four days off after receiving medical check-ups at the local hospital - from Thursday to Sunday. Meanwhile, Naki tells OFM News that the company’s health and safety standards report to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) was rejected citing a shortage of information and it was ordered to redo the report again.

Meanwhile, the departmental spokesperson for the DMR, Ayanda Shezi, tells OFM News that the DMR can’t confirm it because the department does not share information or outcomes of reports submitted by mines due to confidentiality reasons.

He previously slammed what he called “arrogant” management who allegedly refused to listen to the demands and issues of workers until different stakeholders – including the national government - negotiated with the company. He further said NUM will closely monitor the said agreement. NUM president Joseph Montisetse was earlier quoted by media reports as saying the management of the South African unit of the company had offered 8% to workers, which was allegedly overturned by the Chinese-based management, who decided to offer no increase.

The report further quoted Montisetse saying the company’s attitude had angered the 69 workers (55 men and 14 women), which led to the underground sit-in that entered its third day on Monday.


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