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Johannesburg - Gold One International [JSE:GDO] said on
Thursday that it issued suspension notices to illegally striking workers at its
Ezulwini operation on Wednesday‚ after repeated requests for workers to return
to work were ignored.
The company obtained an interim interdict from the Labour
Court of South Africa on 2 October‚ in terms of which the industrial action
that began on 1 October was declared unprotected and unlawful.
The court ruling also interdicted striking workers from
participating in further industrial action. Employees on suspension have been
invited to make representations on 5 October against dismissal‚ in accordance
with the company's disciplinary code.
The South African Police Service is maintaining a strong
presence at the operation to ensure that there are no acts of intimidation or
violence. Shareholders will continue to be informed of further developments.
Gold One President and CEO Neal Froneman commented: "I
am disappointed that despite numerous requests to return to work‚ both before
and after the award of the interdict‚ our employees have chosen to be in
contempt of court and are acting without any regard for the rule of law. We are
therefore without any option but to suspend these striking employees."
On 2 October the company reported that a large number of Ezuwini's 1 October night shift employees and 2 October morning and afternoon shift employees failed to report for work‚ following which the illegal strike was interdicted by the Labour Court.
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