* Employees could be sacked if they do not report for duty
* Union boss not sure if workers will return
* South Africa to hold inquiry into killings
By Jon Herskovitz
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Striking workers at the
world’s No. 3 platinum producer Lonmin , where
44 people have been killed in a week of violence, face possible
dismissal if they do not return to work on Monday, a company
spokeswoman said.
Last week, 34 people were gunned down by police in a hail of
bullets from automatic weapons when authorities moved in against
3,000 striking workers armed with machetes, spears and handguns
who were camped on a hill at Lonmin’s Marikana mine, about 100
km (60 miles) northwest of Johannesburg..
“The final ultimatum has been extended to Monday, the 20th
following Thursday’s events,” spokeswoman Gillian Findlay said
on Sunday.
“Employees may be dismissed if they fail to heed the final
ultimatum,” she said.
London-based Lonmin accounts for 12 percent of global
platinum output. It is already struggling with low prices, weak
demand and may miss its annual production target of 750,000
ounces as the quarter to the end of September is typically its
best.
Continued…
