Disgruntled miners petition BRBBJV
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday August 1, 2023 06:00
The union, recognised as the bargaining agent for the employees at BRBB, united to address the issues of breach of duty of care, undesirable working conditions, safety violations, unfair labour practices, and management’s bad faith negotiation tactics that have eroded industrial relations.
According to the union president, Joseph Tsimako the basis of the petition is the management’s failure to comply with industry codes of good practice and mandatory legal requirements governing industrial relations and mine operations.
The union seeks immediate redressal of the following pressing concerns. BMWU argues that the installation of a clocking machine without sufficient consultation with the union has led to reduced working hours and underpayment for employees. Moreover, the machine’s calibration issues have resulted in inaccurate readings, forcing workers to continuously prove their presence at work.
The union demands the removal of the clocking machine until adequate consultations and health impact assessments are conducted. In the meantime, the use of manual attendance registers and time sheets for payroll management is urged. The union expressed grave concerns about poor lighting due to the use of ineffective solar lights, which have led to unreported incidents and accidents, hinting at potential fatalities. The BMWU demands the replacement of solar lights with diesel lightning plants and the submission of monthly reports on solar-related incidents and accidents. Additionally, the neglect to repair or equip machines with radio signals poses a safety hazard for employees.
The union calls for the removal of all machines without signals and the dismissal of the Project Manager, Johan Vissagie, for failing to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations.
The BMWU also expressed concern about the continued recruitment of expatriates without providing opportunities for qualified local workers. The union demands the development of an exit strategy for all foreign workers in consultation with the union and the implementation of a localisation plan, which includes skills transfer and transition to local understudies. BMWU posits that Joint Negotiation and Consultative Committee (JNCC) meetings between BRBB Management and the BMWU are being held on-site, causing disruptions and rendering the forum ineffective. The union insists that JNCC meetings be conducted off-site, and they demand the removal of the management spokesperson and the Human Resources Manager from the forum due to their failure to address employees’ concerns.
Employees at BRBB are said to have reported that they have been working 192 hours but are only being paid for 173 hours, raising concerns of exploitation and withholding of rightful wages. Additionally, employees are not provided with adequate rest days, contrary to the Employment Act’s requirements. The union demands immediate payment for all unpaid hours and a revision of the salary structure to align it with the demands of the job and competitive market rates. In a letter signed by Joseph Tsimako, the president of BMWU, the union seeks an urgent resolution to the issues to restore harmonious industrial relations and improve working conditions for the employees at BRBB.
The management is expected to respond to the petition and engage in constructive dialogue with the union representatives to find a mutually agreeable solution. In 2021, MCM awarded a five-year mining services contract to a joint venture between Bothakga Burrow, a local citizen-owned company and Basil Read Mining, a South African-based company. The contractor’s focus is on the development of an open-cast coal mining operation at the MCM Motheo project. Motheo is an expansion project established by MCM to develop an open-cast mine, a coal-washing plant, and associated infrastructure.