The retrenchment of construction workers on 2010 projects now concluding must be avoided, the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) said on Wednesday.

"Employers must absorb these workers into other projects that are available other than just dumping them," said Num general secretary Frans Baleni after a three-day meeting of its national executive committee.

The Num cautioned employees in the construction sector not to treat workers like "condoms".

The union expressed concern over the planned retrenchments at Harmony Gold's Evander mines and retrenchments resulting from the liquidation of Pamodzi Gold.

It welcomed the ruling alliance's stance on the 45 percent power price hike over the next three years, proposed by Eskom. The ANC, SA Communist Party, Congress of SA Trade Unions and SA National Civics Organisation expressed concern over the proposal after an alliance summit on Sunday.

The union was concerned over the shock HIV/Aids statistics released by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi earlier this month, calling on all companies to support people living with the virus.

On health and safety in mines, the Num said the "zero fatality" rate remained out of reach. It noted that the number of deaths for this year, up to 3 November stood at 145.

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