The National Union of Mineworkers said such moves by Lonmin amounted to xenophobia, a problem that is widespread in Zimbabwe’s southern neighbour.
“The National Union of Mineworkers notes with serious concern the escalating ‘employ locals only’ culture in mining communities with a recent deal reached between Lonmin and the Bapo ba Mogale community. The NUM strongly believes that the culture is tantamount to xenophobia of a special type as it seeks to perpetuate the notion of entitlement.
“The notion promotes regionalism and tribalism at worst as it seeks to turn South Africa into an extreme federal state worse than Bantustans where people of a particular language must reside and work at a particular place. The NUM strongly condemns this attitude and behaviour which has now found roots in Limpopo and now Rustenburg,” Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary told The Zimbabwean.
Human rights organisations have in recent days concurred with Baleni.
In a statement, Lonmin argued such moves were not aimed at shutting out foreign nationals from securing employment. It said it was empowering the local community.
“Lonmin has recently held a number of meetings with the Bapo Ba Mogale Unemployment Forum (also known as the Bapo Task Team) to address the perceived lack of recruitment from the Bapo Community.”
A significant proportion of foreign mine workers in South Africa hail from neighbouring Zimbabwe. They are among a multitude of skilled personnel that left their country in the last decade following economic problems.
Post published in: Business