Gold One Dismisses Over 400 Mine Workers Following Illegal Strike

Gold One mine – previously at the heart of two hostage situations – has confirmed the dismissal of over 400 mine workers.

It’s a bitter start to the New Year at the Gold One Modder East operation in Springs following a jobs bloodbath.

According to EWN, tempers have flared among workers after the mine released the names of 400 workers fired for staging an illegal strike last year.

A labour dispute over organising rights at the mine in Springs saw over 500 workers failing to resurface from an underground shaft.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) claimed it was a hostage situation. At the same time, rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), classified it as a voluntary sit-in.

The document, seen by Eyewitness News, is the medical exit schedule with the names of 401 workers.

By law, the mine is obliged to conduct a physical exam on workers within 30 days of their dismissal.

Also read: Gold One Mine Hostage Drama: Workers Beginning to Resurface After Four-Day Ordeal

At the end of last year, the business instituted disciplinary hearings for all workers involved in the initial labour dispute.

Though the mine initially declared it a hostage situation staged by workers affiliated with AMCU, the company held all workers underground accountable.

They’re accused of staging a wildcat strike, endangering lives and costing the company millions of rands.

The labour dispute turned deadly when an in-house investigator probing the matter was gunned down near his home.

Another official was severely injured underground during the second hostage drama.

Despite text messages from management scheduling medical exit exams, some workers say they are in the dark about the dismissals.

Also read:

Gold One Mine: Racially Motivated Attacks Unfold Underground, NUM Reports

Picture: X / Pearl_Magubane

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