NUM threatens strike at Gold Fields

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has threatened an indefinite strike at Gold Fields’s operations in South Africa over safety procedures, the world’s number four gold producer said on Monday.

Gold Fields said the NUM served the company with a notice that it would embark on a strike starting on Sunday March 7, and that it would proceed with the industrial action until the company abolishes a work health and safety fitness test.

The company said the union has been unhappy with the test after some new recruits were deemed unfit to work in underground operations following the examination. The company said the test is required under South African laws.

Gold Fields said it would engage with the union in the course of the week to resolve the dispute, and may seek court intervention to prevent the strike from going ahead.

“Failing resolution of the matter, or withdrawal of the strike notice by the NUM, Gold Fields will have no choice but to apply for an urgent interdict to have the proposed strike action declared illegal,” the company said in a statement.

The union was not immediately available to comment.—Reuters