On
October 22, 8,100 workers of Mines in South Africa were fired while being on a
strike. The reason for the strike was in order to seek higher pay. The mine was
near Johannesburg and there were almost 15,000 workers participating in the
strike, leaving the operators of the mine angry. For about 2 months now, mining
has been the biggest industry in South Africa, bringing in the most money. The
fired workers were given until last Wednesday to agree to cooperate and work
and if not they were to be let go.
In
class we have been talking about different parts of the world, aspects of their
cultures and different ways of life. The mining industry is not as big in the
US as it is in South Africa, in America we mostly have business jobs with
companies, so the way to make money is very different for the countries. It’s
impoartant to keep in mind that the income between an average American and a
South African is extremely different. So, these workers feel the pressure to
provide for themselves and their families, by speaking up and starting a strike
movement. I think it makes sense for these people to do this, they are trying
to have their voice heard in order to bring in more income.
At
the end of the article it said, “police fired on strikers at Lonmin's Marikana
platinum mine in August, killing 34 workers and wounding dozens”. When lives
start being taken, I think this issue is brought to a whole new issue. It is
difficult to have an exact answer for this issue, but violence cannot be the
answer nor the response. I understand that the workers want more pay, but where
will this money come from? How can it be divided equally and not ruin the
industry? These questions might seem almost impossible for some, but the people
want answers.
After only three days this article was posted on CNN, a reporter from the New York Times published an article stating that 12,000 mine workers had been fired after aledgely did not return to work. The number of people has increased dramatically, leaving almost 4,000 more with unemployment. These people vowed not to return to work until their wage demands were met, because of the very low wage they currently take in. These people work in tough, hot conditions risking their life nearly everyday. The least they can do is give them an increase in their pay. The South African deputies are resorting in violence, instead of doing the right thing. This problem should defintely be handled more delicately, while it will take time but it will eventually help the reputation of South Africa's investments.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/world/africa/police-fire-rubber-bullets-at-striking-south-africa-miners.html?_r=0