NUM
*NUM NEC Statement, 23 September 2011 * *NUM National Executive Committee*The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) held a regular meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) today and pronounced on the following amongst others:
1. *Beneficiation and restrictions on exports* **The National Executive Committee (NEC) called upon all stakeholders to work together and accelerate beneficiation in the mining industry and to urgently put restrictions on the export side particularly, the export of chrome and ferrochrome. The NUM appealed on the government to review the role of China in the economy and that the country's investment in South Africa needs to be viewed with caution. The National Union of Mineworkers has reliably learnt that China is stock-piling chrome and ferrochrome in order to dictate prices in the future. This, the NUM believes is tantamount to colonization of a special type.
2. *Health and Safety*The National Executive Committee has welcomed the lawsuit brought against mining companies by a London law firm in order to get proper compensation for mineworkers infected with silicosis, tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases. The NEC further noted with serious concern the escalating figure of fatalities particularly in the mining industry. The NEC recommitted the NUM in its pursuit for safety in the mines, construction and Eskom and called upon all members to join the *National Safety March on the 4^th of October in Johannesburg*. The NUM further noted with disappointment the increasing number of road fatalities with the death two weeks ago of nine NUM members in the Witbank area. The NUM appealed on the law enforcement to be very strict on irresponsible drivers and unroadworthy vehicles.
3. *Transformation*The NEC lamented the lack of transformation in both the mining and construction sector and announced that the NUM will seek partnerships with activists interested in the transformation agenda to pressure the companies to transform and reflect the demographics of South Africa. The National Executive Committee was highly concerned that the boards and top management remain occupied by white males with absolutely no women of Africans in the top echelons.
4. *South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)*The NEC noted the report presented to it by the Secretariat of the NUM and called on all organizations interested in real transformation and public broadcasting to unite and come together to defend the SABC from outside interference. The NEC mandated the union to seriously keep its eye and monitor SABC broadcasts and keep it updated from time to time.
5. *Eskom*The National Executive Committee noted with sadness the lack of progress in the negotiations at Eskom and was highly upset by Eskom's unilateral implementation of 7% over two years. It further registered its dissatisfaction on the matter as it strongly believed that a wrong precedent is being set. The NEC was further perturbed by the lack of a minimum service level agreement as well as the unilateral changes by the power utility to its pension fund.
6. *COSATU*The Committee further endorsed COSATU's campaigns including the one on the living wage as well as the massive action of the 5^th of October.
7. *Mining and Maritime conference*The National Executive Committee welcomed the solidarity conference on mining and maritime which will be co-hosted by the National Union of Mineworkers, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union(CEPPWAWU) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) on the 5^th to the 6^th October in Durban. The NUM strongly believes that the conference will harness sufficient solidarity amongst mining and maritime trade unions.
8. *National Planning Commission*The National Executive Committee noted and studied the National Planning Commission (NPC)'s diagnostic report and COSATU's comments on it. The NEC mandated the National Office bearers to submit its input on behalf of the NUM to the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
9. *Changing Economic Conditions*The NUM noted with sadness the possibility of yet another global financial meltdown and its possible impact on the working class in general and mineworkers in particular. The NUM appealed to the mining industry to work hard to employ the 140 000 new workers as envisaged by the New Growth Path.
**10. *On the acquittal of Bad Brad*The NEC registered its disappointment on the acquittal of Bad Brad last week. The NUM strongly feels that mineworkers were let down by the justice system as those who were killed could have been ordinary frustrated Aurora workers or their families who were not paid for over two years.
*Frans Baleni - (NUM General Secretary) - 082 375 6443* ** *Lesiba Seshoka - (NUM National Spokesman) - 082 803 6719* -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
<<inline: NUM.gif>>
