CAPE TOWN // South Africa's president warned yesterday that his government would act on the growing mining unrest hitting the platinum and gold sectors, which he said was "not acceptable".
More than 60,000 miners were not working yesterday though it was unclear how many support the strike to demand a monthly take-home pay of Dh5,500 - and how many are frightened by intimidation and death threats if they report for duty.
"I have engaged with the ministers concerned to discuss how do we deal with this issue and very very soon we will be able to let the public know because it can no longer be accepted," Jacob Zuma said.
It was Mr Zuma's first official comment since the labour troubles spread to global giant Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), which shut down five mines on Wednesday, and Gold Fields, where 15,000 workers are striking.
The trouble started on August 10 with a strike at a Lonmin gold mine, where 45 people have been killed including 34 shot by police on August 16. The most recent death emerged on Tuesday when a body was found with machete wounds to the head, police said.
Frustrations in the industry and shock over the bloodshed at a Lonmin have proved ripe political ground for Mr Zuma's enemies, such as Julius Malema, who was expelled from the president's ruling African National Congress (ANC).
"You know that it is not just the miners striking, it is also some people of some description who are going there to instigate miners to operate in a particular way," Mr Zuma said.
"It cannot be accepted, and therefore we are looking into that. We are going to be acting very soon."
Mr Zuma did not mention Mr Malema by name and gave no details on what actions would be taken.
The recent action has also seen workers move outside of formal labour relations structures to take their demands directly to mine bosses.
"The worker demands for better wages can and should be addressed within the country's labour relations framework," said Mr Zuma, who has appointed a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate violence relating to the strike.
"The illegal strikes, the incitement and intimidation will not assist workers. Instead, it will make them and the country worse off."
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
