Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) members on Friday threatened a sit-in if the Hernic Ferrochrome mine in North West failed to ban labour brokers.

About 2000 Cosatu members marched to the Hernic Ferrochrome mine calling for the mine to ban labour brokers.

"We just finished handing over our memorandum and we have given them an ultimatum of Friday next week.

"If our demands are not met, we will stage a sit-in," said Cosatu North West provincial secretary Solly Phetoe.

In its memorandum Cosatu demanded:

  • the banning of labour brokers;
  • the reinstatement of 1600 workers who were dismissed during an underground strike in August;
  • the permanent employment of contract mine workers; and
  • a full investigation into the death of two mine workers who died in a hostel fire on September 2.

    "The fire broke out at the mine hostel due to poor electrical wiring," said Phetoe.

    "That hostel is a 'hok' [cage], 13 people live in one room where there are no windows. The hostel was only suitable to house chickens," he said.

    Only 516 of the 2616 workers, he said, were employed by the mine, while the majority were contract workers.

    The memorandum was accepted by representatives from the Hernic Ferrochrome mine, JIC Contractors and the department of labour, Phetoe told Sapa.