JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Trade union Solidarity says a “major” restructuring process at Samancor Manganese’s Metalloys plant, in South Africa, will affect 500 employees in various sections of the company.
According to Solidarity, the manganese producer made the announcement in a Section 189 notice and would soon begin a consultation process under the direction of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, in which Solidarity had been invited to participate.
Solidarity metal industry head Marius Croucamp said in a statement the company had cited deteriorating market conditions and the resultant operational loss as reasons for the restructuring process.
“Solidarity is concerned about the high number of retrenchments that have taken place in various industries this year. A retrenchment storm is currently brewing in several industries and the metals industry is currently the worst hit.
“During retrenchment consultations, Solidarity tries to come up with workable solutions that would put these companies on a road to profitability once again. Our main purpose is to prevent the necessity of any employee losing his or her job,” he noted.