Unions and Harmony management have agreed to save jobs and to avoid the closure of shafts earmarked for closure, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) general secretary Gwede Mantashe said on Friday.
This was as a result of talks on Friday between the gold miner, NUM, Solidarity and UASA.
Said Mantashe: “We are encouraged by the outcomes of today’s meeting in that the principle of saving jobs and not closing shafts is agreed to by all parties.
“We are also pleased that a process to ensure we meet these objectives is in place and acceptable to everyone.
“This was a positive meeting and if we approach this situation in this manner we will certainly find a solution.”
The parties agreed to establish a task team comprising of different expertise, such as geologists, financial experts, management experts and union and management officials. – Sapa
The task team will do a detailed and holistic assessment of the identified shafts and of the global picture of the company.
Based on this study, the team will make recommendations and table a report to all the parties on May 3 when all of them will be meeting to chart a way forward.