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In 2011 a number of grievances were lodged with management both at Helena Mine and
Thorncliffe Mine wherein workers complained about racism at the workplace.
In 2012 the racial practices were reported to the then CEO whereby he instructed the HR Director
to address this issue by taking appropriate action against the alleged culprit which to date he
never did.
In April 2013 some individuals from the line management of the Company continued practicing the
racial remarks at the workplace by referring to black workers as “kaffirs” / “boesman”.
The only commitment shown by the CEO on behalf of the Company was that they would
investigate this matter but ironically the workers have already been dismissed for protesting
against this racial abuse. What a fallacy.
As an outcome of this protest action AMCU demands the finding of the investigation undertaken
by the CEO and the remedial action taken against the perpetrators of racial abuse.
In 2013, after 19 years of democracy in South Africa, Glencore Xstrata is still practicing racism in
the use of their amenities, i.e. separate toilets for whites and black workers.
Even in their underground shift roaster, white shift bosses work only the day shift while the black
shift bosses work only the night shift.
The Central Management Office (CMO), is a white only office, the only black workers found there
are only cleaners and tea ladies.
All management at Glencore Xstrata operations have white secretaries because the black workers
cannot be the face of the organization.
White workers are continually physically abusing black workers and these perpetrators are still protected by workplace system that promotes white dominant and black enslavement within the capital system.
This is a clear indication that at Glencore Xstrata, management has no consideration for a local skills and experience in our country of 50 million people. This was further confirmed when Glencore Xstrata imported a CEO skill from abroad in a form of a 35 year old white male.
This is totally unacceptable and cannot be tolerated to continue happening in this hard fought for democracy.
We the marginalized black mine workers of this country want to bring the following to the management and shareholders of Glencore Xstrata’s attention:
1. Desist from the racial abuse of black mine workers.
2. Desist from assaulting black workers.
3. Taking necessary action against racially abusive managers, supervisors towards defenseless black workers.
4. Stop behaviors that are discriminatory in the usage of Company facilities such as canteens, toilets, etc.
5. Desist from using derogative words towards black workers.
6. Promote unity amongst workers by embarking on a programme that seeks to address all forms of racism and unequal treatment.
7. Treat every worker with a great deal of respect without discrimination of any nature.
Since it is without doubt that the protest by workers was as a result of provocation by management as no one will ever accept his / her dignity being undermined, we call upon Glencore Xstrata to show good corporate citizenship by reinstating without any conditions all the workers who are dismissed at its three (3) shafts in Steelpoort.
We further call upon management to respond within seven (7) working days how it intends to address the issues as mentioned in this memorandum.
If management fails to respond to this memorandum within the time frame prescribed, we reserve our right to pursue any other avenues permissible in terms of the laws of the Republic of South Africa in fighting this racism and discrimination at Glencore Xstrata Operations.
