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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is extremely disappointed that 5108 people were retrenched at Lonmin after the company issued section 189 notice to retrench 6 600 workers on 24 July 2015.

After 7 months of consultations at the CCMA, we can confirm that only 1297 jobs were saved. Other workers had to be transferred to other operations and some had to be re-skilled.

"The NUM working together with Solidarity and UASA tried its best to save the jobs. It is not true what we hear in the media that 6000 jobs were saved at Lonmin. It is a lie. It is only 1 297 jobs that were saved," said Erick Gcilitshana, NUM Chief Negotiator at Lonmin.

We can confirm that 5108 members were retrenched. 2462 people took VSP and have exited the company. 2129 contractors have been terminated and the NUM is concerned that these contractors left the company with very low packages. The NUM is concerned that 517 workers died in 7 months at Lonmin due to natural causes. 87 workers who were mechanised operators will be affected by forced retrenchment after they refused to take any alternative employment, re-employment or re-skilling.

"Lonmin indicated that it does not have the option but to give them forced retrenchment. It is very unfortunate that 87 workers have to go on forced retrenchment if they do not take an alternative deployment," Gcilitshana said.

For more information, please contact:

Sabelo Mgotywa: NUM Youth Forum National Secretary: 083 678 2557
Livhuwani Mammburu: NUM National Spokesman: 083 809 3257

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street
Cnr Frederick
Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111
Cell: 083 809 3257

Twitter: @Num Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167