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Press Statement, 26 April 2022

NUM urges all its members to attend and fully participate in the planned international workers day celebrations, commonly known as May day

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) fully supports and will form part of COSATU affiliated trade unions when celebrating the International Workers Day, known as May Day on Sunday the 1st of May 2022.

The NUM urges all its members in the mining, construction, energy and metal sectors to attend in numbers and participate at the rallies organised. The NUM leaders are being deployed accordingly to various venues, and they will be given platforms to send messages of support, reflecting on the struggles, sacrifices and victories of the workers since 1886 when workers stood up demanding eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest.

The May Day rallies are being celebrated across the country with the main rally - to be addressed by the State President Cyril Ramaphosa - being organised at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

It is a pity that while this historic day would be celebrated, arrogant companies such as Sibanye-Stillwater have deliberately decided to jackknife on the glorious workers victories that were secured with sweat and blood by workers over the last thirty-six years.

Workers at Sibanye-Stillwater are almost entering three months in a wage strike demanding a living wage increase of at least R1000 for surface and underground employees, and 6% for miners, artisans and officials.

Sibanye-Stillwater continues to refuse to give workers what is due to them and what they are deserving.

It is disturbing news to see reports stating how the captains of the industries get salaries or bonuses. While workers are out there fighting for a mere R1000, Sibanye CEO alone is recently reported to have been rewarded an astounding R300 million in 2021.

This clearly demonstrates how companies could be so cruel and insensitive towards the plight of employees. Such a "healthy" bonus is a direct insult to all Sibanye-Stillwater employees and their families. It shows how CEOs could make more money in one month than what a mineworker could make in their entire career.

Our message as the NUM to all workers who will be attending all the rallies is that workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains!

For more detailed information, please contact:

William Mabapa, NUM General Secretary, 082 880 4439
Luphert Chilwane, NUM Media Officer, 083 809 3255