Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Ministry of Employment and Labor in partnership with the Lesotho Chamber of Mines has donated food parcels to 246 workers of the Vaal Reefs mine in South Africa to assist them in this time of crisis.
). The Chairperson of the Lesotho Chamber of Mines, Mr. Mohale Ralikariki, explained that their organization is comprising of all the mines in Lesotho, be they small or large. Ralikariki added that the Minister of Employment and Labor, Hon. Keketso Rantsho, approached them for assistance.
He pointed out that they were very upset to hear that some Basotho affected by the situation COVID-19 are working in the mines in South Africa as some of them have lost their jobs while others have not yet received their salaries.
“What really moved us was that the Caves were not the victims of COVID-19, and about 700 Basotho lost their jobs when the mine had to stop working,” he said.
Ralikariki also said that in this case, the loss of jobs could not be reimbursed by the state. He said even the Vaal Reefs workers who lost their jobs had affected the country’s economy as they would have imported it into the country.
He said the issue was not only affecting workers and their families but also directly affected the national economy. He said his ambition was for the workers to return to work as others were returning.
Speaking on behalf of the Vaal mineworkers, Mr Tshita Phala said they had not received their salaries since March. Phala added that when we saw there, there were those who had already lost their jobs.
“We even approached the branch for help as those who had lost their jobs had not been able to get their money back due to the closure of the pioneers,” he said.
She thanked the donations for the food parcels they received. The Minister of Employment and Employment, Hon. so far they have not found a solution. Rants added that they are still working on these issues, and will not stop until they find a solution.
Rantsho said that based on the information they received from the mine, it appeared there could be a significant reduction or dismissal of all workers.
He says the biggest challenge facing these workers, especially those who have lost their jobs, is that they are not able to afford to pay their bills due to the closure of pioneers.
He also thanked the Lesotho Chamber of Mines for their donations. “The food served on this day belongs to the mothers and fathers who live in Maseru district,” he said. He added that in their warehouse there are also items to be sent from the districts to others
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