Impala Platinum putting workers’ lives at risk - Amcu
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has warned mine owners not to pressure government into allowing them to restart operations amid the coronavirus lockdown.
This comes after Impala Platinum workers received an SMS requesting them to return to work on Tuesday.
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa says requesting workers to return to work during the pandemic will pit them against the police and the government.
This, he warns, could lead to another Marikana for which Amcu will again be blamed.
"We are saying to workers, in general, we should respect the authorities. If the state president says it’s a lockdown, it’s a lockdown. Don't let these employers cause conflict amongst the workers and the authorities or the government, because at the end of the day no one will take the blame," says Mathunjwa.
He believes the request for workers to return to work by Impala Platinum puts the lives of employees at risk for the sake of profit-making.
Mathunjwa warns that an outbreak of coronavirus could collapse the industry.
Listen below: