Unscrupulous international companies mining for diamonds in the Northern Cape should be investigated for exploiting workers, the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) said on Thursday.

Num's general secretary Frans Baleni said most international companies fled the country after making money, leaving mineworkers stranded in the process.

"These scavengers compromise safety, conditions of service in general and leave the country with loot... leaving ordinary workers without paying a cent for their services."

He called on the department of minerals and energy to investigate international companies mining in the country.

"We further call on the department to trace all international companies who compromise the environment and workers' dues such as pension, unemployment insurance fund and severance packages, and deal with them accordingly."
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