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2007 South Africa miners' strike

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The South Africa miners strike was a one-day strike by the National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa over working conditions and safety in the country's mining industry. It was the first ever industry-wide miners' strike in South African history.

History

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On 27 November 2007, the National Union of Mineworkers announced that South African mineworkers would go on strike to protest unsafe working conditions.[1]

Strike

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On 4 December 2007, the strike affected over 240,000 workers in 60 of the nation's mines.[2] The strike was spurred on by a rise in worker fatalities from 2006 to 2007, despite a government plan in October to reduce fatalities. Between 5,000 and 30,000 people showed up to a rally in Johannesburg to protest the dangerous working conditions.[3]

Less than 5% of mineworkers came to work on that day.[4]

Reaction

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AngloPlat announced it had slashed yearly production goals by 9,000 ounces due to the strike.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "First-ever industrywide strike to hit South Africa mines". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
  2. ^ "Officials meet to decide planned S.Africa mine strike". Reuters. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  3. ^ "South African miners out on strike". Al Jazeera. 4 December 2007. Archived from the original on 7 December 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
  4. ^ "Miners on strike over death toll". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
  5. ^ "Angloplat says to lose 9,000 oz due to safety strike". Reuters. 4 December 2007. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2007.