Lonmin workers return to work

Reuters.

Johannesburg - Mineworkers who downed tools at Lonmin Platinum, in North West, this week returned to work on Wednesday, the company said.

“All workers have returned to work, operations are normal across the property,” said Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey in a text message.

However, Vey could not comment on the demands made by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

On Tuesday, about 6000 workers arrived at the Marikana mine for the morning shift, but did not go underground.

The workers demanded the recognition of Amcu as the majority union at the mine.

Lonmin management and mineworkers' unions met on Tuesday afternoon.

The unions involved were Amcu, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity, and Uasa.

In a statement, Lonmin said it had been in discussions with unions since December about a new recognition dispensation to promote industrial democracy and inclusivity.

Lonmin said this was a complex issue.

It encouraged worker representatives to act responsibly and within the framework of labour legislation and the recently signed peace accord.

This week's strike comes almost seven months after 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead and 78 were injured when the police opened fire, on August 16, while trying to disperse a group which had gathered on a hill near the mine.

Ten people, including two police officers and two security guards, were killed near the mine in the preceding week.

The Farlam commission of inquiry was appointed to probe the deaths. It is holding public hearings in Rustenburg as part of its inquiry. - Sapa