'Limit mine bosses' pay'

21 August 2014 - 02:03 By Jan-Jan Joubert
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BACK TO WORK: A platinum miner goes for a medical checkup at Lonmin's Rowland shaft before he can go down the mine
BACK TO WORK: A platinum miner goes for a medical checkup at Lonmin's Rowland shaft before he can go down the mine

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union yesterday called for a cap on executive salaries in the mining sector.

Speaking before the parliamentary portfolio committee on minerals yesterday, Amcu's Thulani Khumalo said state security forces were being used in a "fascist" way against labourers and should be reviewed.

Trade unions were yesterday united in their call for amendments to legislation and regulations governing labour relations on mines.

Khumalo said mining bosses who defied regulations must be prosecuted.

He denied that Amcu wanted to own mines.

Khumalo attacked the principle of setting a minimum membership requirement for the recognition of unions.

He said the requirement impeded unions and undermined workers' constitutional right to freedom of expression.

He told the committee that volatile commodity prices could be stabilised by fixing prices in dollars instead of rands.

Solidarity union's representative, Gideon du Plessis, proposed to the committee that a more family-friendly migrant labour system be adopted that would make unnecessary the need for miners working far from home to maintain a second family.

Du Plessis asked for the regulation of the activities of "loan sharks", who exploited miners.

Solidarity joined the Chamber of Mines' Elize Strydom in calling for the easing of tensions between unions.

Du Plessis warned that labour unrest and strikes were endangering employment, citing Lonmin's decision to shelve plans for a new shaft in Rustenburg, which cost 6000 jobs.

Du Plessis had no kind words for some mine bosses, such as those of Aurora, who evaded accountability for their actions.

He warned companies against investing outside South Africa.

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