* Labour troubles reported at Amplats and RBPlat
* Mine turmoil raises worries about investing in S.Africa
* Rights group urges govt to address social problems
By Ed Stoddard
RUSTENBURG, South Africa, Aug 22 (Reuters) – Labour unrest
in South Africa’s platinum belt spread on Wednesday, raising
concerns that anger over low wages and poor living conditions
could generate fresh violence after 34 striking miners were shot
dead by police last week.
The strike that started last week at Lonmin’s
Marikana mine has driven up platinum prices and stoked
worries about investing in Africa’s biggest economy, where
chronic unemployment and income disparities threaten social
stability.
At Marikana, a sombre-looking President Jacob Zuma stood
under a parasol held by an aide to address around 2,000 subdued
miners. In the Xhosa and Zulu languages, he said there was no
need for workers to die in a labour dispute.
” This is painful to all of us. It is not acceptable for
people to die where talks can be held. But I do feel your pain
and have come personally to express that,” he said.
The world’s top platinum producer, Anglo American Platinum
, said on Wednesday it had received a demand for a pay
increase from its South African workers, wh ile Royal Bafokeng
Platinum R B PJ.J sai d a labour action by about 500 miners
interrupted work at a sha ft at its Rasimone mine.
Continued…
