NUM is concerned and worried about the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the mining industry and Eskom
21 May 2020
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is concerned and worried about the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in the mining industry and Eskom in South Africa especially mines in Limpopo. Some mines in Limpopo have become hotspots where the virus is spreading at an alarming rate. Two big mines around Burgersfort in Limpopo have registered a big number of COVID-19 positive cases in one week. The first mine to have reported positive cases of COVID 19 was Marula Platinum Mine with 19 confirmed cases in a space of 24 hours. The second is Dwarsrivier mine that has 30 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 so far.
On 29 April 2020, the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy (DMRE) Minister issued directions in terms of Regulation 10(8) informed by the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002. According to the Directions, in implementing Regulation 11K of the Amendment Regulations every employer conducting mining operations and activities in connection therewith at a mine, is required to implement appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of employees in respect of COVID-19.
The NUM is extremely worried about the negative impact that COVID-19 will have in mining communities. It is clear that mining companies are not complying with COVID-19 regulations. The regulatory department must deal harshly with those mining companies that are not adhering to the regulations.
The problem that is happening now in the mining industry and Eskom is a consequence of electing a government who relate to employers as donors to be gently chatted up rather than employers who need to be forced into respecting even the most basic entitlement to health and safety, dignity and security in the workplace. Employers must be forced to respect the COVID-19 regulations in this country. It cannot be employers doing whatever they want and trampling on the rights of the workers.