Uncertainty over jobs losses at Becsa

While a labour union said the company had sent Section 189 letters to 2,000 workers,Becsa said it planned "rationalising about 100 staff" and "customary support" was being extended to affected workers.

However, a highly-placed source in the diversified mining group told Sowetan that it aimed to part ways with 2,800 workers.

Becsa vice-president Lulu Letlape said "due to the ongoing tough economic environment, Becsa recently announced the rationalisation of approximately 100 staff functions at its head office".

"Becsa is following the legislated process in terms of Section 189 of the Industrial Relations Act and expects to complete this process by the end of June 2013.

"Every effort is being made to minimise retrenchments and we are extending our customary support to the affected employees," Letlape said.

United Association of South Africa (Uasa) spokesman Franz Stehring confirmed that the union was engaged with the management on ways to avoid large-scale retrenchments.

"Becsa initiated a consultation process with organised labour. Once the consultation process is over, the number of people who will be retrenched is going to be far less than the 2,000," he said.

Stehring said, however, that the union did not support retrenchments.

"We are fighting tooth and nail to ensure that it is only those people who really need to go tare retrenched," he said.

Solidarity said it was not aware of the retrenchments, while the National Union of Mineworkers said it only heard there were plans to lay off 30 administrative staff

Source: Sowetan via I-Net Bridge