Lonmin presses workers to return after mine violence

20 August 2012 08:54 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The world's no. 3 platinum producer Lonmin told workers to return to work or face dismissal on Monday, saying police deemed it safe to return to duty after 44 people were killed in a week of violence at one of its South African mines.

Police shot 34 dead on Thursday after moving in with automatic weapons against workers armed with spears, machetes and handguns in clashes which have brought back memories of the apartheid era.

About 3,000 striking workers face an ultimatum to show up on Monday or face the sack. A company spokeswoman could not immediately say if any were returning to work.

The situation remains tense and union leaders have also said they were not sure if workers would report to the shafts at Lonmin's Marikana mine, about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Johannesburg.

"The company is communicating with the rest of its local workforce who have not been on strike but have been unable to work because of violence, that police consider it safe for them to report for duty again," Lonmin said in a statement.

"Initially mining division employees will only be asked to report for the morning shift. Staff have also been issued with contact numbers to report any further incidents of intimidation," the company said.

London-based Lonmin accounts for 12 percent of global platinum output. It is already struggling with low prices and weak demand. The company has slashed spending plans and may miss its annual production target of 750,000 ounces.

The strike was sparked by a spreading battle for membership between the powerful National Union of Mineworkers and the upstart Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, which has accused NUM of caring more about politics and personal enrichment than workers in mine shafts.

Ten people were killed prior to the police shooting, including a NUM shop steward who was hacked to death.

(Editing by Patrick Graham)

(Source : Reuters)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Lonmin presses workers to return after mine violence

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

New Visa procedure implemented

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

100 Police personnel trained to target criminals operating on motorbikes

Catholic Church receives full report

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali’s possession of Gota’s Range Rover

We are struggling with severe shortage of staff – Excise Chief

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win