JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM’s) Dilokong chrome mine branch will on Friday march to the ASA Metals Sinosteel (Sinosteel) head office on Rivonia Road, in Sandton, to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the company. 

Among the issues of concern identified by the union was the allegation that Sinosteel, which owned Dilokong , had adopted a practice whereby black people were not considered to occupy certain senior positions, stated NUM.

Of the 15 foremen employed by the company, only one was black, the union claimed.

“People at senior positions should reflect the demography of South Africa. Furthermore, people who benefited from apartheid are still benefiting at Sinosteel,” the union said in a statement.

It further held that the employer did not invite an employment equity representative to the interviews for C5 and above grade positions and that there was no career development plan in place to encourage low-level employees to advance within the organisation.

NUM added that, while no black people over the age of 65 were still employed by the company, white “pensioners” were retained after retirement age.

“[In addition], the company changes the social labour plan (SLP) when it suits them. As stakeholders, we are not even consulted when the amendments are made.

“This has led to a situation where the company currently has two different SLPs in place,” it noted.

NUM further alleged that the company was “reluctant” to comply with the Mining Charter and an employee share ownership plan.

It also called on the company to “do away with the middle-man” and absorb temporary or contract employees, so that they may also enjoy company benefits, as they were supporting the core business.

“We regard the practice as labour brokering, which promotes slavery by enriching one individual at the expense of the exploited, poor, hard working and workers who are earning poverty wages.

“We believe that the above issues can be addressed accordingly to ensure equality and good labour relations between the parties,” said NUM.

The Sinosteel media representative was not immediately available for comment.