- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Amplat miners continue illegal strike to demand better pay
- Date: 31st October 2012
- Summary: LOCALS AND MINERS CHANTING
- Embargoed: 15th November 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAMPKE6KJ3AJ780QEYWPAIHDA6
- Story Text: Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) miners on Wednesday (October 31) again gathered to intensify their illegal strike for higher wages.
On Tuesday (October 30), thousands of miners defied an ultimatum to return to work, fighting running battles with police, blocking roads and setting fire to a power sub-station at the mine in north-western Rustenburg.
Police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades in clashes with the protesters after the deadline passed for 12,000 sacked workers to reclaim their jobs.
The miners have vowed to hold gatherings every week and said they will ensure no one reports for duty.
The miners downed tools on September 12, demanding a basic salary of at least R16,000 (1,855 U.S. dollars), saying protest action would continue until mine management negotiated directly with workers and not the unions.
Months of labour unrest in the mines have hit platinum and gold output, threatened growth in Africa's biggest economy and drawn criticism of President Jacob Zuma for his handling of the most damaging strikes since the end of apartheid in 1994. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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