Pages

Selasa, 21 Agustus 2012

Lonmin: Striking Miners 'Will Not Be Fired'

A third of workers at a South African platinum mine have returned to work, following a strike in which 44 people died.

The owner of the Marikana mine, Lonmin, had extended a return-or-be-sacked deadline to this morning, but confirmed that only 33% of workers showed up.

The company has now said it will not fire any miners this week because it is a week of national mourning following the events of last week.

A Lonmin spokesperson, Sue Vey, told Sky News: "It's not about the firing or the diciplinary action - it's about urging people to get back to work so we can stabilise the situation and reduce tensions all round."

Around 3,000 rock-drill operators went on strike after 34 people were shot dead by police and 10 others died during outbreaks of violence sparked by a pay dispute.

Ms Vey said the strike was having a "devastating effect" on the company, which has not yet be able to resume ore production due to a lack of workers.

It comes as South African authorities continued to urge the company to address employee concerns over pay and housing.

More follows...