Mines have been given the go-ahead to operate at reduced capacity during the extended lockdown, but unions are concerned for their members’ safety. Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa wants Minister Gwede Mantashe to agree to binding regulations that protect workers against COVID-19.
The government had ordered most underground mines and furnaces to be put on care and maintenance during the lockdown which started on March 27 and has been extended until the end of April apart from coal mines supplying state power utility Eskom.
Miners have been lobbying the government to allow them to resume production with controls in place to detect and contain COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
The amended regulations say mines will be allowed to restart and ramp-up capacity depending on conditions including the screening of employees for COVID-19 symptoms, the availability of quarantine facilities and transport arrangements for workers.
Mathunjwa said mineworkers are willing to return to work but are concerned for their safety as they work in close confinement with others. Amcu stated they do not trust mines to work within the best interests of the workers and is calling for the government to gazette minimum safety standards. Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday
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Send HI to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp. The NICD has another Clinician Hotline to improve #COVID19 communication and support for healthcare providers. The Clinician Hotline is 0800 11 1131, operating 24 hrs. The Public Hotline is 0800 029 999 also operating 24hrs.
In other news – Somizi impersonates Bonang Matheba in hilarious Instagram video
The lockdown has certainly revealed that some of us are a lot more talented then we let on. Just look at all the images of home-cooked food people upload on Twitter or the countless videos of celebrity impersonations on TikTok. The list goes on. Even celebrities are revealing their hidden talents with the most being impersonations. Read more
Source: eNCA
