Ex-TNMC miners bid the city farewell, begrudgingly

Ryder Gabathuse | Friday November 4, 2016 18:40

 

On this fateful Monday, they had gathered in large numbers to collect their exit letters at the TNMC clubhouse. On a good day, the clubhouse was a place of merrymaking and joy as opposed to this week’s experience where stunned miners queued. Sorrow, regret and hopelessness was written all over their faces.

It was indeed a blue Monday for the miners who had hoped that the mine will keep them until at least the end of the year.

Sadly, the many questions that clouded their minds as to what the liquidator had up his sleeves with their packages were answered. It was a sad day as some of them immediately bid the city farewell though begrudgingly.

Except for the few ones who will be part of the care and maintenance at the plant, the process of exit did not spare anyone, whether a senior manager or junior officer, letters of end of contract were delivered.

Status of ex-miners was not a guiding principle at all. They had to pack and go as the liquidator, Nigel Dixon-Warren has directed in the communication that every former employee of Tati received this week.

Whilst the liquidator had outlined a possibility of paying the terminal benefits at a later stage, the main challenge was that if the mine could be declared insolvent, it means the former employees will not get anything from the liquidator.

Reality sunk in earnestly that about 700 of the ex-miners were jobless. This depressing reality continued on Tuesday as they wielded documentary proof that they were jobless. Now they had an opportunity of approaching their bankers, insurance companies and others with tangible evidence that they were jobless.

The run-away temperatures recorded about 40-41 Degrees Celsius forcing the poor miners to hide under leafless trees within the mine’s property, which unfortunately exposed them to the scorching heat.

Young and old, skilled and unskilled miners condemned the abrupt manner in which the appointed liquidator announced the temporary liquidation of the Phoenix mine, which is part of the BCL Group.

The TNMC employees were alive to the implications of receiving letters announcing that they no longer had jobs with the mine located about 40 kilometres east of Francistown.

As they pondered what the future really held for them as the year comes to an end, the former TNMC employees were not willing to talk to the media for fear that they could be misquoted.

Some held strong views that by merely appearing in the newspapers, they may be misconstrued to be holding grudges against the former employer and to be safe, they preferred to remain mum.

Some still harboued hope that one day they may be recalled to resume work, especially that there are rumours that potential buyers have lined up to buy the BCL Group of mines.

Under the trees whose leaves have dried due to the wintry period, the miners held unofficial meetings discussing the life outside TNMC.

They were mainly sickened by the fact that the liquidator had no provision for repatriation allowance that was commonly paid to exiting miners before the mines closure.

They were generally troubled by the new life without jobs and the reality that they will not remain in their rented accommodation without jobs. Even those staying in the mine’s houses, were troubled by the reality that they no longer had accommodation and had to vacate the mining houses.

If the city of Francistown was a human being, it would be depressed by now. It will by now be in tears. Mourning the fallen economic giant that TNMC had always been to the city’s economy.

PR Executive Consulting economist Sennye Obuseng had said in a recent interview that firms that depended on the mine would suffer a decline in business and some will close shop.

“Because of the mine’s linkages to the local economy, the region will shed far more jobs than 700, or whatever the final figure shall be lost at Tati Nickel.

Every household whose income is linked to Tati Nickel, directly and indirectly, will suffer a contraction in income and welfare,” Obuseng had warned in his analysis of the development.

As former TNMC miners finally pack their belongings and leave the city, they will leave a trail of frustration and hopelessness behind.

The economy of Francistown, which chiefly depends on commercial activities, had diversified into mining whose collapse now has far reaching effects.

Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) general secretary, Mbiganyi Ramokate did not blame former miners for not entertaining media interviews.

“It’s only logical that they be given the space that they need as they deal with the issue of job losses more so that it has just become real that they are jobless,” Ramokate said.

He was quick to note that the former miners were demoralised and hopeless after they were informed that those staying outside the mine houses will no longer receive the housing allowance they were promised.

As for those currently occupying the mine houses, they were informed that they will have to vacate mine houses and if they delayed they will start paying for utilities from their pockets.

Noticing that the BCL Group has not made any provision for counselling after losing their jobs, Botswana Life Insurance has volunteered to provide qualified counsellors so that former miners can accept their predicament.

This comes after the BMWU leadership had written to the Office of the President (OP) seeking their intervention in the former workers’ counselling needs.

 Unfortunately, the highest office in the land is yet to respond. “Two weeks after seeking help from the OP, we are still waiting for their response, but we gather solace from the fact that some private sector organisations have volunteered the services at the right time whilst the government which owns both BCL and Tati mines has abdicated responsibility.”

Ramokate was worried that some of their members have apparently lost hope in the union declaring that results were not forthcoming and have gone home immediately they learnt they were jobless.

But, there were those who have joined forces with their union to fight the system to pay them their dues before they could pack their bags and leave their duty places.

As for the counselling sessions, they are destined to reach Francistown once they are done with Selebi-Phikwe.