In March this year Samancor Chrome announced that it planned to retrench almost 900, in other words 20%, of the group’s nearly 4 690 employees. Planned retrenchments were expected to take place at all six of the group’s units. Following the successful implementation of various measures, the company has now succeeded in significantly reducing retrenchments. The retrenchments planned for the group’s Western chrome mine (outside Mooinooi), Ferrometals (in Witbank), Middelburg Ferrochrome, and Tubatse Ferrochrome (outside Steelpoort) have been averted. Retrenchments at the group’s Eastern chrome mine as well as the Samancor head office (in Johannesburg) are, however, still going ahead. It is not yet clear how many jobs will be affected.

“Samancor Chrome’s successful implementation of measures such as redeployment and voluntary early retirement have proven that economic setbacks do not necessarily have to lead to the retrenchment of employees,” explained Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans. Kleynhans emphasized that the implementation of measures such as those outlined by the trade union in its social plan earlier this year have made it possible for companies to bridge the difficult economic conditions, eventually ensuring that the employees do not suffer as a result.

“The alternatives to retrenchment were implemented successfully in the case of Samancor Chrome. The ferrochrome producer has, however, indicated that the economic conditions as well as the planned Eskom tariff hike will place further pressure on the company, but has also committed itself to monitoring the chrome market.”

The consultation process for the planned retrenchment process at the remaining two divisions of the company will be completed by 4 July.