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COSATU is extremely concerned and totally condemns the decision by Lily Mine management not to pay workers their salaries that they were supposed to get last Thursday. We support our affiliate the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in demanding that the company pay the workers their salaries as soon as possible. We also demand the repatriation of the trapped workers Solomon Nyerende, Yvonne Mnisi and Pretty Nkambule to the surface as soon as possible.

It is a travesty for Lily Mine managers and shareholders to punish workers for their sins.. It is their recklessness and failure to adhere to health and safety regulations that led to the accident that resulted in the closure of the mine. The workers therefore are not responsible for the closure of the mine and should be paid their salaries in full.  These workers are being repeatedly punished for something that is not of their own doing.

This happens at a time when the price of bread has gone up by an astronomical 10% and also when we have seen excessive increases in the price of fuel and electricity.

The non-payment of salaries will cause intolerable hardship for the already traumatized families of these mineworkers.  The department of Labour and the department of Mineral Resources should to intervene on behalf of the workers. We cannot allow nor afford this blatant ill-treatment of workers by the Lily Mine management.

COSATU also call on all workers to offer solidarity and support to the Lily Mine employees at this difficult time. An injury to one is an injury to all.

Issued by COSATU