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Cape Town - Inhumane working and living conditions and the migrant labour system are some of the problems in the mining sector, said Deputy President on Monday.
Motlanthe made the remarks in a prepared speech for delivery at the opening of the first one stop service centre for ex-mineworkers and the community of Mthatha.
The centre will provide health and rehabilitation services, social services, and compensation and benefit management services for the mineworkers and their beneficiaries.
Motlanthe said the country's mining sector forms a key component of the Southern Africa economy.
"It employs 500 000 mineworkers and has a legacy of about 2 million ex-mine workers from many parts of the world including here in South Africa and in particular from this province of the Eastern Cape."
Motlanthe said the government acknowledges the importance of the mining sector for the economy, job creation and contribution to social and economic development.
"We also recognise the impact of this sector on the environment, the health of those who work in the mines, the impact on the communities living in the areas surrounding the mines and many other challenges."
He said concerns included inhumane working and living conditions, challenges from the migrant labour system and the treatment of ex-mineworkers.
"These are issues we have been grappling with since the dawn of our democracy and we continue to do so today."
Solutions will be found by continuing to confront these challenges, said Motlanthe.
Meanwhile, a protracted strike in the platinum mining sector rumbles on with no end in sight.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union is demanding for a R12 500 wage, but mining bosses say they can't afford it.
The mining sector has been plagued by labour strife and last year Motlanthe was tasked with brokering a deal with the industry’s key constituents.
- Fin24
Motlanthe made the remarks in a prepared speech for delivery at the opening of the first one stop service centre for ex-mineworkers and the community of Mthatha.
The centre will provide health and rehabilitation services, social services, and compensation and benefit management services for the mineworkers and their beneficiaries.
Motlanthe said the country's mining sector forms a key component of the Southern Africa economy.
"It employs 500 000 mineworkers and has a legacy of about 2 million ex-mine workers from many parts of the world including here in South Africa and in particular from this province of the Eastern Cape."
Motlanthe said the government acknowledges the importance of the mining sector for the economy, job creation and contribution to social and economic development.
"We also recognise the impact of this sector on the environment, the health of those who work in the mines, the impact on the communities living in the areas surrounding the mines and many other challenges."
He said concerns included inhumane working and living conditions, challenges from the migrant labour system and the treatment of ex-mineworkers.
"These are issues we have been grappling with since the dawn of our democracy and we continue to do so today."
Solutions will be found by continuing to confront these challenges, said Motlanthe.
Meanwhile, a protracted strike in the platinum mining sector rumbles on with no end in sight.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union is demanding for a R12 500 wage, but mining bosses say they can't afford it.
The mining sector has been plagued by labour strife and last year Motlanthe was tasked with brokering a deal with the industry’s key constituents.
- Fin24
