Kusasalethu employees embark on an illegal strike
Johannesburg. Thursday, 23 March 2017: Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (“Harmony”) regrets to advise that employees at its Kusasalethu mine have embarked on an illegal strike. The illegal strike is in response to the suspension of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union’s (AMCU) branch leadership, after the AMCU leadership encouraged illegal industrial action – a go slow – at the mine.
The AMCU branch leadership encouraged an illegal go slow at the mine, resulting in only 25% of the workforce reporting for work yesterday. The illegal go slow was called in response to the disciplinary procedures against 40 employees, following the illegal sit-in at Kusasalethu in January this year.
Management has sought an urgent meeting with the leadership of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) to address this unprocedural/illegal industrial action, which may result in further disciplinary action and undermines the continued viability of the mine. It is of great concern that there have been reports of intimidation of employees, as was the case in the actions in January 2017. No employees reported for the day shift today.
“We appeal to AMCU leadership to be responsible in its actions, to publically condemn any form of intimidation and act against members engaging in intimidation, and to engage with management through the processes and procedures in place to deal with workplace disputes”, Peter Steenkamp, CEO of Harmony said.
For more details contact:
Marian van der Walt
Executive: Corporate and Investor Relations
+27(0) 71 607 1498 (mobile)
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony), a world-class gold mining and exploration company, has operations and assets in South Africa and Papua New Guinea (PNG). Harmony, which has more than 60 years’ experience in the industry, is the third largest gold producer in South Africa. Our assets include one open pit mine and several exploration tenements in PNG, as well as 9 underground mines and 1 open pit operation and several surface sources in South Africa. In addition, we own 50% of the significant Golpu project in a joint venture in PNG.
The company’s primary stock exchange listing is on the JSE with a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The bulk of our shareholders are in South Africa and the United States. Additional information on the company is available on the corporate website, www.harmony.co.za.