Around 2,000 AngloGold Ashanti workers facing retrenchment

Trade union Solidarity confirmed that it had received a retrenchment notice from mining company AngloGold Ashanti (AGA).

The notice mentions that around 2,000 workers may be affected by the retrenchments.

According to Riaan Visser, Solidarity’s industry specialist, this announcement was cause for concern, especially in view of the fact that AGA had reduced its workforce by around 9,300 jobs during two separate retrenchment processes over a period of 12 months.

“The trade union will now engage in intensive talks with AGA’s management with a view to finding solutions to retain as many jobs as possible at the mining house. It goes without saying that Solidarity will be glad about every job that can possibly be saved,” Visser said.

“The section 189 process, as set out in the Labour Relations Act, must first be set in motion, and then Solidarity would be able to act in the best interests of its members.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) will now appoint a commissioner as facilitator, after which the process will commence. More information would then become available,” Visser explained.

Solidarity press release: 24 May