NUM meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ministers Pravin Gordhan and Jeff Radebe, brought some elements of hope to workers.
19 March 2019
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) can confirm that yesterday, Tuesday 18 March 2019, met with State President Cyril Ramaphosa who was accompanied by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Energy Minister Jeff Radebe. The meeting was held at the union's head offices in Johannesburg.
It is important to note that the NUM will still need to consult with its Eskom members on the contents of the meeting, and discuss a way forward.
The three hour meeting with the President and the Ministers came a result of resolutions that were taken earlier this month by thousands of frustrated Eskom workers. Workers are concerned about the inconsistent messages from government with regard to the unbundling of the power utility, dividing it into three entities - comprising of generation, transmission and distribution.
Eskom workers are very angry towards the attitude demonstrated by the leadership in government who are, in most instances, unable to explain what the unbundling would mean to them in terms of job security.
The NUM would like to categorically state that the meeting with the President yesterday was productive and brought some elements of hope. Going forward, there will be an open dialogue on issues affecting workers, and that will accommodate every stakeholder.
Most importantly, the NUM is relieved after being assured by the President that no jobs will be lost in the process of unbundling, and that the power utility will remain 100% state owned. The President also assured the NUM that going forward, stakeholders will be taken along or consulted when major decisions are taken.
While the NUM fully supports the government's commitment to fix the power utility, it remained opposed to any restructuring that will add to decreasing levels of job security.
Lastly, the NUM Eskom members will still go ahead with their planned march to ANC headquarters Luthuli House on the 30th of March 2019.
Issued by Luphert Chilwane, NUM Media Officer, 19 March 2019
