The failure of migrant labour

Article in Fimancial Mail, 1/11/12

I read with interest the comment in your Editorial (FM, 26/10 – 31/10) regarding the implications of Marikana , and the need for the mining industry to  consider reforming the current migrant labour system.  It seems to me that the existing model of mining in South Africa is indeed unsustainable .

 

There is a need to relook at the migrant labour system to try and find alternatives to the long periods way from home in an all-male environment – perhaps shorter three months on, one month off work, so that mineworkers can tend to their rural families.

 

This would also alleviate them setting up second temporary homes around the mines themselves, resulting in unserviced and ultimately squalid shack settlements. Then there is the burden of sustaining two households instead of one on a limited income.

 

This in turn encourages an unhealthy reliance on money lenders. and to deep despair. One can only speculate as to how such factors fuel the rage of illegally striking miners and the high death toll.

Dr Gavin Lewis

DA MPL Gauteng Legislature
Spokesman: Economic Development
Deputy Spokesman: Finance