Alexkor Problems Continue – This Time in Court

A dispute between troubled mine Alexkor and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) over alleged unlawful firing continued in the Cape Labor Court. The union claims Alexkor had breached labor law requirements when it fired about 270 workers without consulting the union.

The technology firm Mintek has managed state-owned Alexkor for the past two years.

According to NUM chairman for the Western Cape region, Abe Maarman “There was a total disregard for trade unions, and workers were pressured to take voluntary severance packages.”

Maarman wants to see this workers back at work, and Alexkor, if found guilty, might be forced to accept the workers back and compensate them for the period they were off the payroll.

For the past five years a plan for privatizing the company has been worked on. The government is interested in offering a 51 percent stake in company.