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Johannesburg - The chief executive of platinum producer Lonmin has told staff to take voluntary leave because a wage strike at its South African operations by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) looks set to continue.
"Given the reality of a prolonged strike and Amcu's unrealistic demands, we have to make tough decisions to preserve and protect the business by reducing costs and conserving cash," Ben Magara said in a March 25 memo seen by Reuters.
Meanwhile the government mediator said it will meet with Amcu on Wednesday to restart talks aimed at ending the strike now entering its tenth week.
The Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) also said in a statement it would meet separately with companies Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin this week.
Cosatu
Amcu is being irresponsible, according to Cosatu.
Cosatu is SA's largest labour grouping and includes Amcu's archrival the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Cosatu said it supported the call for a "living wage", but accused Amcu of not acting in a responsible manner.
The mining companies have repeatedly stated they cannot afford the demand for a R12 500 monthly "living wage", saying many steps have already been taken to remedy historical inequalities in the sector.
Striking miners in the platinum industry have already lost an estimated R4.4bn in earnings due to the mining strike by Amcu, mining bosses said on Tuesday.
It is SA's biggest post-apartheid mine strike and has hit 40% of global production of the precious metal.
An estimated R10bn in revenue has also been lost due to the strike and the impact of the extended strike on employees, local businesses, suppliers and communities is described as "irreparable", a joint statement by the CEOs of Impala Platinum (Implats), Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), and Lonmin Platinum said.
"Given the reality of a prolonged strike and Amcu's unrealistic demands, we have to make tough decisions to preserve and protect the business by reducing costs and conserving cash," Ben Magara said in a March 25 memo seen by Reuters.
Meanwhile the government mediator said it will meet with Amcu on Wednesday to restart talks aimed at ending the strike now entering its tenth week.
The Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) also said in a statement it would meet separately with companies Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum and Lonmin this week.
Cosatu
Amcu is being irresponsible, according to Cosatu.
Cosatu is SA's largest labour grouping and includes Amcu's archrival the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Cosatu said it supported the call for a "living wage", but accused Amcu of not acting in a responsible manner.
The mining companies have repeatedly stated they cannot afford the demand for a R12 500 monthly "living wage", saying many steps have already been taken to remedy historical inequalities in the sector.
Striking miners in the platinum industry have already lost an estimated R4.4bn in earnings due to the mining strike by Amcu, mining bosses said on Tuesday.
It is SA's biggest post-apartheid mine strike and has hit 40% of global production of the precious metal.
An estimated R10bn in revenue has also been lost due to the strike and the impact of the extended strike on employees, local businesses, suppliers and communities is described as "irreparable", a joint statement by the CEOs of Impala Platinum (Implats), Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), and Lonmin Platinum said.
