THE government, Anglo American Platinum and labour unions have agreed to postpone a restructuring exercise, which could lead to 14,000 job cuts, to allow for more talks, the Department of Mineral Resources said.
"The parties resolved to postpone the continuation of the ... process ... to allow for a detailed consultation process to take place," the department said on Monday, adding this should take no more than 60 days from January 30.
"The tripartite members recommitted to engage constructively for the benefit of all stakeholders and will communicate progress updates as and when appropriate," it said.
Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said the world’s biggest producer of platinum betrayed the government’s trust earlier this month by announcing a plan to mothball shafts and lay off workers under a restructuring by parent company Anglo American.
Last week, President Jacob Zuma said the government needed to engage with gold and platinum mining firms about proposed shaft closures and lay-offs, and was not threatening them with licence reviews.
South Africa boasts 80% of the world’s platinum deposits. Producers have been hit by rising input costs, falling prices, safety stoppages and violent labour unrest.
Reuters
