YCLSA calls on workers to fight retrenchment at AMPLATS

The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] is disappointed by the move by AMPLATS to close down some of its operations in the Rustenburg area. The move will result in job losses for 14 000 workers.

This decision by AMPLATS comes at a time when our country is facing a persistent unemployment rate at crisis levels and mass poverty. The closing of shafts goes against the government's efforts and agenda of ensuring that job creation is prioritised in all sectors of the economy.

We agree with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) that the job destructions planned by AMPLATS constitute a collateral punishment for the strikes that the company experienced in 2012. We join the NUM in calling upon the workers unite and fight retrenchment. To us as the YCLSA, AMPLATS has systematically divided workers and in this collaborated with a pseudo-union called AMCU as a prelude to its planned retrenchment.

Mining bosses must reconsider this decision because it will impact badly on the 14 000 workers, their families and communities. We call on mining bosses to work closely with the NUM and government to resolve this impasse.

Statement issued by Khaya Xaba, YCLSA National Spokesperson, January 16 2013

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