Fairer sharing of platinum profits would end hostility

The platinum strike has exposed deep divisions in our labour movement. But we should remember that when Cosatu was established it, too, had to engage in kamikaze tactics to win a better life for its members.

Those who demand that the government protect miners who want go to work fail to understand the volatility of the situation. The security being promised by the mine bosses to strikers who return to work does not extend to their homes. Miners who do return will have no guarantee that they will live to see another day.

Though the mines run a business and expect to make a profit, their workers should also be able to lead comfortable lives. People who say that we should isolate the strikers miss the point and consider only profits.

The painful events of 2012, when dozens of striking platinum belt miners affiliated to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union were killed by the police, should serve as a reminder that our fathers, brothers and sisters are willing to sacrifice everything to gain a living wage.

Though Amcu's leadership has decided to go all the way, it is the workers who have to bear the consequences. As of now, they have gone for almost four months without pay. We are told that the strike has cost the mining companies more than R17.8-billion in revenue and that workers have lost more than R7.9-billion in wage s and perks.

What is troubling about the strike is that mine shareholders and management expect us to keep quiet when they pay each other millions.

The equitable sharing of profits should be looked into.

We should remember how the then radical Cosatu forced the hand of many employers and changed the face of labour. Amcu should be guided and assisted. It is still a young organisation that needs a lot of help.

The government should not take sides in dealing with this situation but must look at how to build a better mining environment that benefits everyone.