Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi said during the Joburg Indaba on mining, that this year’s prolonged platinum strike had brought regulatory institutions into question.
“Strikes are not a unique South African phenomenon. However, when it runs into a period of five months it’s a wake-up call to all stakeholders,” said the Minister.
Soon after his appointment, Ramatlhodi was faced with the challenge of helping to broker a deal between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and platinum operators.
He said: “I had to do this without substituting institutions tasked with regulating labour relations.”
One of the changes that are being mooted is enabling members of a union to express their support for a strike through the vote, a suggestion which has been opposed by trade union movements.
Ramatlhodi told the conference that he wanted to be involved in any change in the industry, saying this was part of his oath of office. “I want to be taken into confidence … quite ahead of time so that I can assist.”