03 Dec 2014

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs is not aware that more than 180 BCL machine operators who were dismissed following their 2006 unprotected strike are blacklisted and/or not allowed employment by BCL Mine and contractors doing jobs for the mine.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday, December 3, Mr Edwin Batshu however said he was aware that the dismissed employees took their matter to the Industrial Court where it is registered as case No. 623/07. 

The case has been heard by the industrial court and judgment is awaited, he said.

Minister Batshu noted that BCL had therefore taken a decision not to employ any of the dismissed employees before the matter was concluded by the court as that may be prejudicial to the ongoing court proceedings on the matter.

Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West Dr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister whether it was true that more than 180 BCL machine operators who were dismissed following the 2006 workers’ strike were blacklisted and/or not allowed employment by BCL Mine and contractors doing job for the Mine and if so to state the reasons for the blacklisting. ENDS