Mathunjwa says Amcu to take miners' plight to parliament

Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) President Joseph Mathunjwa said they will march to parliament in Cape Town in their crusade of demanding R12,500 living wage

“We cannot embrace these evil oppressive laws in our mines which are designed to oppress our people. Our workers also want a slice of the pie – the very pie for which they work so hard underground,” Mathunjwa said

The march, which its purpose was to hand over the memorandum took place yesterday at Impala Platinum's offices in Illovo north of Johannesburg where more than 3000 Amcu members had attended.

The memorandum was about what Amcu called “equitable living wage” of 12.500.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Gauteng premier candidate Advocate Dali Mpofu was also at the march showing full support for the strike

The three platinum producers Anglo Platinum, Lonmin and Impala Platinum last month voiced their regret over Amcu’s continued refusal to relook at its R12500 wage demand, saying it was unaffordable.

Mathunjwa has in turn called the employers’ offer of a 9% wage increase “disappointing” and slammed the government for “a lack of assistance” and for taking the mining houses’ side.

“The government does not care about workers [because] it advises employers to use all legal avenues to render the strike unlawful and unprotected and thereafter fire workers who participate,” he said.

The striking union members are reported to have lost R3 billion in wages.