By Devon Maylie
JOHANNESBURG--Mining companies and living conditions of mine
workers are to blame for the labor unrest spreading through the
South African mining sector, threatening one of the country's key
industries and harming its international reputation, the ruling
African National Congress said Monday.
In a statement following a weekend meeting of party leaders, ANC
secretary general Gwede Mantashe said companies have "paid lip
service" to a mining charter that seeks to uplift workers and their
communities and thus need to do more.
"The socio-economic conditions of the mine workers at Marikana
and other areas are part of what led to the human tragedy that
continues to haunt our nation," Mr Mantashe said.
The mine unrest started Aug. 10 when 3,000 rock drillers downed
tools at Lonmin's Marikana mine. In the days that followed, clashes
between employees left 10 dead. Tensions peaked Aug. 16 when police
fired live ammunition into a crowd of protesters, killing 34
people. One more body was found last week at the mine.
Behind the strikes are demands for higher wages by workers
frustrated at the slow pace of change since the end of apartheid 18
years ago. Workers have rejected the National Union of Mineworkers,
the country's biggest union and an ally of the ANC, fueling the
discord.
Mr Mantashe said that to return to stability and protect workers
rights, the platinum industry should follow the gold and coal
sectors and apply collective bargaining, whereby all platinum
miners negotiate wages at the same time with the unions.
"As a liberation movement, we continue to support the principle
of one industry one union, as this helps to unite workers in
particular sectors," he said.
Write to Devon Maylie at devon.maylie@dowjones.com
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