The Northern Cape and Free State Regional secretary, Andile Zitho, says the union is aware that workers have been informed to return but as far as they know, there are no necessary safety measures to ensure that the workplace is safe. He says with the current skeleton staff, the management is failing to maintain proper health and safety standards. He adds that subsequent to the failure by the employer, the union tried to open a case at the police station of contravening the Disaster Management Act, but the SAPS was very unhelpful. Zitho says that one of the few measures suggested was that the Employer must roll out massive decanting, disinfection, and sanitising of hostels and the workplace, work apparatus and tools. The management is yet to comment after an enquiry was sent by OFM News.

"In our meetings with management, we have made it very clear that they must adhere to the strictest safety standards, including that the employer must provide the necessary Personal Protective Equipment.

In order to meet the requirements of social distancing, the number of people who can travel in the cage must be drastically reduced," he further says. 

Zitho adds that's all employees must be paid their full salary for the duration of the lockdown and the employer must claim back form the Department of Labour through the TERS relief scheme. "We reject any attempt to force those who are not working to use their leave days to cover for the period of the lockdown."

The management, together with the Numsa branch shaft stewards should conduct inspections to ensure the proper disinfection, decanting and sanitising of the workplace and agree on the resumption of work in a phase-in process, which will be strictly monitored by all parties to ensure health and safety," Zitho further adds.

OFM News