The strike at South African platinum miner Impala Platinum (Implats, IMP) on Tuesday continued for the eighth consecutive working day at the company’s Impala Lease Area in North West Province. About 22 200 ounces of platinum have been lost as a result of the strike.
“Although 2 000 employees reported for duty this morning, the majority of the 18 000 employees engaged in the work stoppage did not report for duty prior to the 0900 deadline. Discussions with the National Union of Mineworkers continue,” Implats said in a statement on Tuesday.
Implats has issued a notice to employees to return to work and has detailed the potential consequences should they fail to do so, Implats added.
“Impala remains hopeful that the issue can be resolved without resorting to mass dismissal,” Implats added.
The stoppage is threatening the company’s June 2003 financial year platinum target of 1,481-million ounces, Implats management said.
A partial strike in the Impala Lease Area started on the night shift on Thursday March 13 and a full strike started on Monday March 17.
An effective six days of platinum production has been lost and daily platinum output stands at about 3 700 ounces a day. The work stoppage relates to a disagreement in respect of funeral benefits payable to employees who die as a result of non-work related causes, including Aids, cancer and diabetes, and motor vehicle and other accidents.
Implats issued ultimatums to employees to return to work and late on Thursday the company received an interdict from the Labour Court to support this. – I-Net Bridge