Banks requested to support non-striking workers in platinum sector

Conscientious workers not participating in the prolonged strike in the platinum sector are nonetheless affected by Amcu's strike, Solidarity said today. The union sent a letter to the four largest commercial banks requesting them to show understanding for the financial difficulties non-striking employees find themselves in at the moment. Although non-striking employees are still receiving their basic salaries, they have forfeited all regular production bonuses since operations at the mines have come to a standstill.

Solidarity spokesperson Johan Kruger said a large portion of the compensation earned by most platinum sector workers consists of regular monthly production bonuses. ‘When the production at a platinum mine is suspended, not only the striking workers lose income. Non-striking workers also lose a large part of their income and struggle to meet their financial obligations without them being responsible for the situation in any way. In many cases, employees of companies involved in contract work at the platinum mines already are without any income since the contracts have been terminated - even though they have not been involved in the strike either.'

According to Kruger, the non-striking workers are currently experiencing cash-flow problems making it difficult for them to pay all their creditors - not only bank loans, but also other obligations such as house rent. ‘Therefore, Solidarity is appealing to the banks and other creditors of non-striking platinum mineworkers in the Rustenburg area to bear in mind that the current financial situation these workers find themselves in are not of their own doing,' Kruger continued.

Kruger said that in 2009, when the Pamodzi Mining Group was unable to pay its workers' salaries, Solidarity lodged the same appeal to banks. The banks then agreed not to charge penalties for rejected debit orders on the accounts of the Pamdozi workers. ‘These penalties can amount up to R138 per occurrence and can be charged unlimited times per month, quickly adding up to thousands of rands in penalties. Non-striking platinum mine workers are in a similar situation where these penalties are levied even though the cash-flow problem is not their fault. Therefore, Solidarity has called on the banks to once again accommodate the non-striking workers.'

Statement issued by Johan Kruger, Spokesperson: Solidarity, March 25 2014

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