More than 1000 Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) members were defaulting on their anti-retroviral treatment, according to a letter mining company Lonmin sent to the union.
In a written response dated April 9, to Amcu's petition, CEO Ben Magwara said the company was helping its workers with housing, health care and HIV/Aids support.
"I would however like to bring to your attention that over 1000 Amcu members who are on strike have failed to report to our clinics to receive ARV treatment. We are concerned that they are risking their health and lives by interrupting their treatment and would like you to encourage them to continue treatment," said Magwara.
On Monday, Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said the company has not been able to establish why Amcu members were not continuing with treatment.
"Lonmin clinics are located in several villages, and a hospital is located next to the mine operations.
"The miners are jeopardising their health and lives, we appeal to them to continue with the treatment."
Amcu could not immediately be reached for comment.
Thousands of Amcu members at Lonmin, Impala and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) operations in Rustenburg, North West and Northam in Limpopo went on a strike on January 23 demanding a minimum monthly salary of R12,500.
They have rejected the nine percent salary increase the companies have tabled. The companies also rejected the unions' revised demand that the R12,500 should be phased in over a period of four years.
Magwara said most of the issues raised in the petition were of a socio-political and socio-economic nature, and were not attainable as part of the wage negotiation process.
"We have therefore confined our response to those issues that are within our control."
He said the company had presented an affordable wage adjustment proposal, which the union had not accepted.
"Our inflation-beating and affordable proposal adjustments ranging from 7.5 percent to nine percent for all our entry level jobs is higher than most settlements elsewhere in the industry."
"While we appreciate the movement by Amcu at the last CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration ] plenary meeting, the revised demand for [R12,500] over four years remains unaffordable and cannot be met by the company."
Magwara said mineworkers in the platinum sector were the highest paid in the country relevant to the nature of their work.
Miners regress on ARV treatment: Lonmin
More than 1000 Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) members were defaulting on their anti-retroviral treatment, according to a letter mining company Lonmin sent to the union.
In a written response dated April 9, to Amcu's petition, CEO Ben Magwara said the company was helping its workers with housing, health care and HIV/Aids support.
"I would however like to bring to your attention that over 1000 Amcu members who are on strike have failed to report to our clinics to receive ARV treatment. We are concerned that they are risking their health and lives by interrupting their treatment and would like you to encourage them to continue treatment," said Magwara.
On Monday, Lonmin spokeswoman Sue Vey said the company has not been able to establish why Amcu members were not continuing with treatment.
"Lonmin clinics are located in several villages, and a hospital is located next to the mine operations.
"The miners are jeopardising their health and lives, we appeal to them to continue with the treatment."
Amcu could not immediately be reached for comment.
Thousands of Amcu members at Lonmin, Impala and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) operations in Rustenburg, North West and Northam in Limpopo went on a strike on January 23 demanding a minimum monthly salary of R12,500.
They have rejected the nine percent salary increase the companies have tabled. The companies also rejected the unions' revised demand that the R12,500 should be phased in over a period of four years.
Magwara said most of the issues raised in the petition were of a socio-political and socio-economic nature, and were not attainable as part of the wage negotiation process.
"We have therefore confined our response to those issues that are within our control."
He said the company had presented an affordable wage adjustment proposal, which the union had not accepted.
"Our inflation-beating and affordable proposal adjustments ranging from 7.5 percent to nine percent for all our entry level jobs is higher than most settlements elsewhere in the industry."
"While we appreciate the movement by Amcu at the last CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration ] plenary meeting, the revised demand for [R12,500] over four years remains unaffordable and cannot be met by the company."
Magwara said mineworkers in the platinum sector were the highest paid in the country relevant to the nature of their work.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos