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Talks on NOW outsourcing “constructive, but will not stop 2 700 retrenchments,” says DRD

Details

Published: Wednesday, 01 October 2003 02:00

Potential to soften the blow of job cuts

Durban Roodepoort Deep, Limited (“DRD” Ticker Symbol; JSE: DUR; NASDAQ: DROOY) has said that its discussions with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) today (1.10.03) on possible outsourcing of shafts at its troubled North West Operations (NWO) were “constructive” but would not stop the retrenchment of some 2 700 employees.

Divisional Director of DRD’s South African Operations Deon van der Mescht said today:

“We have signaled our willingness to accommodate a two-month due diligence process of the targeted business units in order for the parties to make an informed decision as to whether or not the placement of ex-employees, affected by retrenchment, through some form of special purpose vehicle or vehicles will be financially viable.

“We also lent our support to the notion that a condition of any potential future agreements reached with suitably qualified, independent operators be that preference is given to retrenched employees when they meet their labour requirements. This, we believe, could significantly soften the blow of the job cuts we now have to make.”

Critically, terminations were going ahead but not in an effort to reduce wages or other conditions of employment for remaining employees, van der Mescht said.

“In the past month, while the review process was in progress, we continued to bleed financially. Also, the further strengthening of the Rand against the US Dollar in the past day or two means we are very much in a ‘moving target’ situation regarding rescue plans for the balance of the North West Operations.

“Our offer of voluntary retrenchment has been taken up by 155 employees and another 129 have been retired, by agreement with the NUM. Compulsory retrenchment notices are being served on some 2 700 employees today.”

Van der Mescht said the company was ‘painfully aware” of the impact retrenchment would have not only on the affected employees and their families, but on the broader community.

“While we remain committed to the discussion process on outsourcing, we will press on with the roll out of our social plan, with its focus on finding alternative employment for affected workers; on psychological, career and financial counseling; and re-training in alternative skills.”

The company had provided R2 million to fund the social plan, he said.

Queries:

South Africa
Ilja Graulich, Durban Roodepoort Deep, Limited
+27 11 381 7826 (office)
+27 83 604 0820 (mobile)

James Duncan, Russell & Associates
+27 11 880 3924 (office)
+27 82 892 8052 (mobile)

Australasia
Paul Downie, Porter Novelli
+61 893 861 233 (office)
+61 414 947 129 (mobile)

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