JOHANNESBURG – Trade union Solidarity said on Friday that it was concerned about the state of affairs at Vantage Goldfields’ Barbrook mine, in Barberton, and that it would continue to do all it can to protect its members at the mine.
This follows after the Barbrook mine was placed under business rescue at the end of 2016 shortly after its sister mine Lily mine, both in Mpumalanga, suffered the same fate following the disaster last February that claimed three lives when a crown pillar collapsed.
Deputy general secretary of the Mining Industry at Solidarity Connie Prinsloo, said the trade union would visit the mine next week Wednesday to meet with management and the appointed business rescue practitioner with regard to the future of the mine and its members.
“Employees at the Barbrook mine only received a portion of their salaries for November 2016 and they received no salaries for December 2016. We will support our members as much as possible and act in their best interests,” Prinsloo said in a statement.
Prinsloo said the trade union had earlier voiced its concerns regarding the state of affairs at the Lily Mine, which was also been placed under business rescue.
She said Lily Mine employees were encouraged to accept voluntary severance packages in April 2016 but they were still waiting for their unpaid salaries and payment of their severance packages.
“We will not allow the exploitation of employees and our members, therefore we regard this upcoming meeting with the business rescue practitioner in a very serious light,” Prinsloo said.
“Solidarity will not allow the Barbrook employees to be deceived by false pretences and promises, as in Lily’s case.”