Aug 30 (Reuters) – Here is a look at the negotiations
between South African company Lonmin and the unions
after 44 people died in violence reminiscent of the apartheid
regime:
* Fewer than 10 percent the 28,000 workforce have shown up
in the last few days, down from the 33 percent that Lonmin said
turned up the week before, at the Marikana mine, about 100 km
(60 miles) northwest of Johannesburg and owned by the world’s
third largest platinum producer.
* Miners have asked for 12,500 rand ($1,500) a month. The
3,000 strikers, who are mostly rock driller operators, are paid
about 9,800 rand with an average monthly bonus of 1,500 rand,
the company says. Miners who say they are earning up to 5,000
rand, went on strike over demands for higher pay.
* Forty-four people have been killed altogether in the
dispute – 34 on Aug. 16 by police – in what has been dubbed the
‘Marikana Massacre’. Over 70 miners were injured and around 270
miners have been arrested.
* The labour ministry is facilitating the talks between
Lonmin and the unions, including the National Union of
Mineworkers (NUM) and the smaller rival Association of
Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). Bishop Jo Seoka from
the South African Council of Churches is mediating.
* Added to the mix is the conflict between AMCU, which has
been trying to recruit new members, and the established NUM. Ten
of the 44 people killed were in clashes between strikers from
the rival unions at Marikana.
Sources: Reuters/AllAfrica.com
($1 = 8.4218 South African rand)
(Reporting by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit
Editing by Mark Potter)
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