Lonmin: No work, no pay

Johannesburg - Lonmin [JSE:LON] platinum mine's 28 000 workforce could not be paid for the period of the protest there, according to a report on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Sue Vey told Business Report: "It's a no work, no pay situation, but payday is later this week and everyone is hoping that we can resolve the issues so that people can get back to work."

However, Vey told Sapa that she would not discuss wages or salaries on Wednesday.

"Today is the day of the peace accord so we will not be talking about wages... We are focused on getting parties to sign the peace accord," she said.

"We are absolutely hopeful (that a peace accord will be signed)... A lot of time and energy was spent to bring everyone together."

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant will meet Lonmin management and four unions in the Rustenburg Civic Centre. The meeting was expected to start at 10:00.

National Union of Mineworkers spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka confirmed that the union heard about the no work, no pay policy.

"This is a policy that they quite often apply. We hope Lonmin will be sensitive around the issue of intimidation," he said.

"Many workers want to go to work but are being intimidated. We also hope they will be sensitive because some workers died and some are in hospital."

Seshoka was confident that the peace accord would be signed, even if it took a few days.

The newspaper reported that Lonmin withdrew its earlier ultimatums, deadlines and disciplinary hearings for employees after trade unions and government decided peace was needed for workers to return.

The Association for Mineworkers and Construction Union could not be reached for comment.

Workers at the world's third-largest platinum producer went on strike earlier this month, demanding a monthly salary of R12 500. They have vowed not to return to work until their demand is met.

The strike turned violent and 34 mineworkers were killed on August 16, in a confrontation with the police. Ten people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed between August 10 and 12.