The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources has expressed its dismay at AngloGold Ashanti’s plan to cut 2000 mineworkers’ jobs.
“Although we are aware of the drop in commodity prices internationally in recent years, we strongly believe that the retrenchment plan is a slap in the face in a year dedicated to celebrating Nelson Mandela’s legacy,” the Committee said in a media statement.
“The social contracts that mining companies and stakeholders enter into should contain clear clauses on how to mitigate retrenchments. At the moment, mining companies are free to take unilateral decisions, even on matters that have far-reaching consequences for the welfare of workers,” said committee chairperson Sahlulele Luzipo.
He added that mining companies should not be able to retain their mining rights if they closed operations. “It is high time legislation is reviewed to include a ‘use it, or lose it’ clause.” He also raised the concern that abandoned mines containing mineral deposits attracted illegal miners.
