Glencore could sack more than 1,300 employees - NUMASA

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMASA, has confirmed that over 1,300 jobs could be lost after commodity trading and mining company Glencore notified that it might cut 665 jobs at its Rustenburg smelter.

According to NUMSA, a letter from Glencore revealed the company was experiencing operational difficulties and needed to consult labour on options to save the smelter, citing the high cost of electricity, which contributes 30 percent of its expenses, the increase in carbon tax and logistics costs as some of the reasons why it might downsize.

"(Glencore) has indicated that it may need to retrench all 665 workers employed at the smelter. We are concerned because if implemented, the number of job losses could be more than 1,300 if you include contract workers," the union said.

"We will do all we can to save as many jobs as we can," it said.

"We urge management to approach these discussions in good faith and to disclose fully so that we can work together to find solutions. The working class is clearly under attack because workers in many sectors of our economy are being served with retrenchment notices." [IOL]