Retrenchment crisis: Lonmin can retrench up to 4 500 employees

Militant trade unions must learn from this – Solidarity

24 July 2015

Lonmin stated in an Article 189 retrenchment notice today that the company will soon commence with a restructuring process which will involve approximately 4 500 employees. According to Lonmin, the reasons for the retrenchment process are the weakened metal price and the consequent closure of its Hossy shaft. The company also plans to put four of its shafts under care and maintenance.

Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of Solidarity, is op the opinion that last year’s unaffordable platinum agreement, which was reached after the five month strike in the industry, contributed largely to the retrenchment process at Lonmin.

“We urge trade unions, who loudly boast their militant and revolutionary ideologies, to learn from this disastrous situation. This planned retrenchment process once again proves that strikes can rob innocent employees of their jobs,” Du Plessis said.

Solidarity will participate in urgent consultation process with the company in the next few weeks to soften the impact of the retrenchments processes on its members and to limit the number of retrenchments to a minimum.

“Solidarity will also insist that the more or less 180 mechanical operators, who have not been working for the past four years because they refuse to go through the compulsory reskilling programme, are considered first in the retrenchment process. These operators are protected by Amcu, who is protected by Lonmin out of fear for violent protest,” Du Plessis explained.

Lonmin is notorious for the violent strike in 2012 at its Marikana mine during which 44 mine workers and innocent people died. Since then, labour relations have not stabilised.

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary: Solidarity, July 24 2015