http://www.bdlive.co.za/ [South Africa]
DRIVING around Rustenburg’s central business district, one sees them everywhere — men in old mining overalls and women sheltering from the North West sun behind pieces of cardboard reading “Work wanted”.
Surrounded by some of the richest known mineral deposits in the world, Rustenburg — now better known for last year’s violent strikes and the police shootings of miners at Marikana than its platinum wealth — has seen an influx in residents in recent years.
People have been flocking to the area hoping for jobs on its mines. But for most, getting a job will remain a dream.
Those who are lucky enough to have employment are under increasing pressure as companies resort to cutting jobs, while rising prices of basic foodstuffs and paraffin make it more difficult to support their families.
While mineworkers earn relatively high wages in the South African context, they support on average eight to 10 people, often extended family living in other parts of the country.
It is also important to note that about 42% of Rustenburg’s population lives in informal settlements, compared with an average of 15% countrywide.
According to Andries Bezuidenhout, sociology professor at the University of Pretoria, this is a sign of an ‘’absent state” — it means 42% of Rustenburgers have no access to schools, water or electricity.
Most are forced to buy expensive water from entrepreneurs selling bottles from their cars, he says.
“People are expecting too much of labour relations. The employer/employee relationship cannot solve all society’s problems,” Bezuidenhout says.
According to him, the increasing societal pressure can cause this relationship to “snap”, and labour law cannot fix this.
Statistics released by the Department of Labour this week show the number of work stoppages last year jumped 48% to 99, the highest since 2005, when there were 102 stoppages. And 45% of last year’s reported stoppages were unprotected, meaning workers rejected the avenues for disputes set out in the law and were willing to lose their jobs to make their concerns heard.
For the rest of this article, click here: http://www.bdlive.co.za/businesstimes/2013/09/22/hardship-a-fact-of-life-in-platinum-belt