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South Africa mine Lonmin drops threat to fire workers | South Africa mine Lonmin drops threat to fire workers |
(40 minutes later) | |
Mining giant Lonmin has dropped its threat to fire workers who failed to return to work at a South African mine after deadly clashes last week. | Mining giant Lonmin has dropped its threat to fire workers who failed to return to work at a South African mine after deadly clashes last week. |
Its decision came after the government appealed to the firm to drop its ultimatum to sack workers if they failed to end their strike by Tuesday. | Its decision came after the government appealed to the firm to drop its ultimatum to sack workers if they failed to end their strike by Tuesday. |
Last week, police shot dead 34 strikers at the Marikana mine. | Last week, police shot dead 34 strikers at the Marikana mine. |
The South African parliament is due to debate the killings on Tuesday, amidst a national outcry. | |
President Jacob Zuma has a declared a week of national mourning and has promised to appoint a commission of inquiry into the shooting. | President Jacob Zuma has a declared a week of national mourning and has promised to appoint a commission of inquiry into the shooting. |
'Calming emotions' | |
Mark Munroe, Lonmin's executive vice president, said firing thousands of workers would not necessarily ease tension. | Mark Munroe, Lonmin's executive vice president, said firing thousands of workers would not necessarily ease tension. |
"I don't think it's going to contribute to a more stable environment if Lonmin goes out and puts deadlines and ultimatums and says we will fire everyone if no-one comes to work," he said. | |
A minister in Mr Zuma's office, Collins Chabane, said Lonmin had agreed to suspend its ultimatum in talks with the government. | A minister in Mr Zuma's office, Collins Chabane, said Lonmin had agreed to suspend its ultimatum in talks with the government. |
"I think we need to try to temper the flare-up of emotions on all sides and try to find a reasonable solution to address the problems," he said on local radio, AFP news agency reports. | "I think we need to try to temper the flare-up of emotions on all sides and try to find a reasonable solution to address the problems," he said on local radio, AFP news agency reports. |
Lonmin said 33% of its 28,000-strong workforce showed up for work on Tuesday, the South African Press Association reports. | |
Senior opposition party members visited the mine in North West province ahead of a special parliamentary sitting that will debate the incident, South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper reports. | Senior opposition party members visited the mine in North West province ahead of a special parliamentary sitting that will debate the incident, South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper reports. |
"We have heard the workers concerns and we have familiarised ourselves with the situation. We will now be in a better position to ask the right questions in parliament," opposition United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa is quoted as saying. | "We have heard the workers concerns and we have familiarised ourselves with the situation. We will now be in a better position to ask the right questions in parliament," opposition United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa is quoted as saying. |
About 3,000 rock-drill operators walked out more than a week ago in support of demands for higher pay. | |
The strike was declared illegal by Lonmin, the world's third-largest platinum producer, and the mine was shut. | The strike was declared illegal by Lonmin, the world's third-largest platinum producer, and the mine was shut. |
Clashes between strikers, some holding clubs and machetes, and police culminated on Thursday when officers armed with automatic rifles and pistols fired dozens of shots. | Clashes between strikers, some holding clubs and machetes, and police culminated on Thursday when officers armed with automatic rifles and pistols fired dozens of shots. |
The miners, who are currently earning between 4,000 and 5,000 rand ($484-$605) a month, say they want their salary increased to 12,500 rand ($1,512). | The miners, who are currently earning between 4,000 and 5,000 rand ($484-$605) a month, say they want their salary increased to 12,500 rand ($1,512). |
Are you in the area? What do you think of the strike? Send us your comments using the form below. |