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Johannesburg - Striking workers at the Samancor Chrome Western mine, near Rustenburg, are expected to return to work next week, their trade union said on Monday.
"Samancor is not operating as we speak. Workers were released and told to return to work on October 16," said National Union of Mineworkers regional co-ordinator Mxhasi Sithethi.
"The employer decided a cool-off period was necessary to avoid violence or injury to people in light of all the strikes at mines."
On Monday, Samancor said that absent workers at the Samancor Chrome Western mine were on annual leave and not on a legal or illegal strike.
"The company has, in agreement with its recognised unions, taken the decision to send employees at its Western Chrome Mines operation on annual leave as from October 3," it said in a statement.
"No Western Chrome Mines employee has been evicted from any of the company's hostels... No Western Chrome Mines employee has received a dismissal notice to date."
On September 28, a strike ended at Samancor Western Chrome mine for a settlement in monthly pay of R12 500.
Wage negotiations at the mine were finalised after workers demanded a salary increase on September 14.
On September 27 and 28, an illegal sit-in took place at Mooinooi shaft, the company said.
"This demonstration was initiated by individuals, not by one of the company's recognised unions," it said.
"Previously published articles in the media stating that employees were on strike before the illegal sit-in, were factually incorrect."
Samancor said it would continue to monitor the situation and engage with the recognised unions.
