JOHANNESBURG – Coal miners at Seriti affiliated with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), are on Wednesday staging a protest outside the coal giant’s offices in Illovo, north of Johannesburg.
Workers are against looming retrenchments at its Mpumalanga operations. Moreover, the workers have issued a warning to the coal giant of potential disruptions to its operations in the province.
If the retrenchment proposal goes ahead, more than 1,100 employees could lose their jobs.
Dozens of AMCU-affiliated workers protesting against Seriti’s have expressed their fears and frustrations over the looming job losses.
READ: Seriti Resources plan to cut 1137 coal jobs a ‘declaration of war’ – NUM
The company’s restructuring process, currently under way, could result in significant job cuts at its Middleburg Mine Services and Klipspruit coal operations in Mpumalanga.
AMCU’s general secretary, Jeff Mphahlele, highlighted the profound impact these layoffs could have on workers and their communities.
“Remember that every black worker is supporting not less than 10 people – their families, relatives, and others who depend on them.”
Union leaders are expected to hand over a memorandum of demands to Seriti’s management.
One frustrated mineworker Joseph Nzimande addressed his colleagues as the demonstration ended without resolution.
“Seriti’s other operations, they will be shut down. That’s what we are going to do and we will do that. Up until they respect us.”
The workers suspended their demonstration and vowed to return to the Seriti offices on Thursday.
EWN
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