Wednesday, September 19, 2012

A sigh of relief

The wildcat strike of miners is settled. After about 5 weeks of striking at the Merikana platinum mine, the strikers have accepted an agreement. This is a major accomplishment because the atmosphere was so charged by events of the past weeks.

The living conditions of the miners is apparently terrible. But the pay rate was agreed on last year in a two year contract with the miners and the unions. So the strike this year was a wildcat strike, and there are also new unions trying to gain influence among the miners.

Unfortunately there was violence two weeks ago with over 40 people being killed. In one day 34 miners were shot by the police, reportedly some of them were shot in the back. There was escalation of feelings after this event that the media called a massacre.  The miners of some of the neighboring platinum mines and at least one gold mine were starting to go on strike also. There were thousands of people protesting and carrying traditional weapons. The army was called in to assist the police to regain control.

The platinum mine managers, some of the union people, government people, and religious leader sought a solution. Reportedly this was successful last evening. So the miners are now expected to return to work and will be given a salary closer to a living wage. It is a harsh life for those in the mining community. But workers come from neighboring countries as well as from distant areas of South Africa to work in the mines because there is a lack of other employment.