JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) on Thursday welcomed government intervention in the long-standing battle between South Africa’s top three platinum producers and trade union the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).
Newly appointed Mineral Resources Minister Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi this week established an intergovernmental technical team, comprising officials from the departments of Mineral Resources and Labour, as well as National Treasury, to resolve the five-month-long labour unrest within the platinum belt.
Currently, the platinum producers and AMCU remained at an impasse with all talks to narrow the gap between the workers’ demand and the companies’ offer failing to make headway.
While Sacci “looked forward” to the potential inroads to be made by the task team, CEO Neren Rau said it was imperative that government, business and labour unpack fundamental changes to labour market regulations to prevent further disruptions.
“South Africa needs creative and practical approaches to solve our deep-seated problems,” he said, adding that, although Sacci was “wary” of government interventionism in principle, the actions of the Minister were really an exercise in providing voluntary dispute resolution, as opposed to intervening in business decisions.