Director-general Nkosinathi Nhleko and CCMA commissioner Abdul Soobedar tried to explain labour processes to the impatient miners.

"We do not have hope in the CCMA . many people lost their jobs at Karee mine back in 2007," said one miner.

The mineworkers said they wanted nothing from Lonmin and the government but a wage increase to R12500.

Soobedar said: "All we want is for this to be resolved, and we ask you to be patient. We are committed to help you solve this problem."

South African Council of Churches president Jo Seoka said Lonmin mineworkers were simply asking for their right to a living wage. "The workers' demand is clear to everyone now. They want a living wage ."

Worker leader Zolisa Bodwani said they would not budge.

Nhleko, however, said negotiations were continuing.

Comments

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Thu May 23 23:55:13 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 4, 2012

Mrazane

These workers are in for a very long wait, Lonmin will not give in to this demand as it will be setting a dangerous precedent not just for themselves but the mining industry at large, and they cannot afford that. The other mine houses are sitting with tight bottoms and crossed fingers that Lonmin stands its ground because if they don't their workers are likely to follow suit with unprotected strikes and very high demands.

I do not blame the workers and I wish them well but they are likely to breakdown as they and their families starve, its just how the capitalist system works.
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Sep 4, 2012

Limpopoist

'We want nothing but wage hike'

I am with you on that, the strike is about wage hike ,not alternative way to return to work safe
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Sep 4, 2012

Honeybadger

At this rate if Lonmin continues to loose production, the mine will be forced to shut down and the lot of this will go and starve in their homelands.
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Sep 4, 2012

DjEp

Although u want nothing but wage hike, ur request is also ridiculous and not informed.
did any of the 28 000 ppl ever put some thinking caps? Your demands are way out of line and childish
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Sep 4, 2012

Bizzabo

Honeybadger

and where is that? we dont have homelands anymore but provinces. aparth*eid mentality?
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Sep 4, 2012

Papage

Lonmin share price went up by 3.5% yesterday, is somebody cooking the books or what? It is true the workesr must be earn a Living wage, we all understant, but it can't just jump form R4000 to R12500, it is impossible for any business to operate that way, I think is time for cool heads now, employees must go back to work and give negotiotors a chance
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