South Africa – Gold Fields – Formal talks with union on layoffs

Gold Fields, the world’s fourth largest gold producer, has begun formal talks with its workers and union about possible labour reductions at its South Deep Joint Venture.

The miner said on Thursday that about 2,384 underground workers were served Section 189 notice, South African labour law that governs retrenchment of employees.

Gold Fields has been in discussion for several months with the National Union of Mineworkers, and other worker groups, about changes to its employee reward systems, as well as requesting  greater flexibility around work schedules and outsourcing.

“Unfortunately, no agreement could be reached with the NUM on the implementation of these changes,” said Peter Turner, Executive VP for the Gold Fields South African Region, in a statement…

via Gold Fields threatens worker layoffs as restructuring talks stall | MINING.com.

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