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| Striking miners dance and cheer after they were informed of a 22 percent wage increase offer outside Lonmin's Marikana mines. The Star. |
I must say that I am relieved that the Marikana strike has come to an end. Although it claimed the lives of 46 people, left the South African economy sinking and left some people without jobs.
The strikers really fought tooth and nail until they got what they wanted, even though it is not entirely what they were looking for. I guess this is what you get if you are an organization and you do not listen to the grievances of your employees. To me, the workers of Marikana have been trying so hard to reach out to their management and they were probably overlooked. Indeed, against all odds 22% wage increase is a huge achievement. One of the workers’ representatives said that, “No union has achieved a 22% increase before,” Zolisa Bodlani, a worker representative at Marikana, told Reuters.
It got me thinking that somehow South Africa has a lot of work to do regarding labour equality and justice. Frankly talking, the Marikana strike showed just how much there is a lot of disconnections within our country and much need to be done as a way of correcting the imbalances. We must really applaud the South Africa Council of Churches (SACC), for it was playing referee in the talks. Indeed they have been there for the families of those who were killed during the debacle. This is what we need in this country; we need solutions and strong leadership qualities.
Now what is left is for the Lonmin mines to come up with a strategy of re-branding itself and come with solutions of changing the bad perceptions that the strike left millions of South Africans and the whole world in shock. In the practice of PR you need to adapt so that you will not perish. The power is in their hands to make a difference.
they first need to make sure that rebuild the relationship of their employees and themselves because it will send out bad image if workers are working because they don't have a choice, they have make sure that they are they are happybecause a company with unhappy employments can lead to loss of stakeholders.
ReplyDeleteYes that is so true and it makes sense to the whole problem that wa caused by these strikers.
DeleteWe just have to hope there wont be any job losses within the mining sector as perceived by the economic analyst.
ReplyDeleteSome people have already lost their jobs as we speak, I think those who have lost thier jobs are sub-contractors.
Deleteit is so sad that things had to go so far just to hear peoples cries and get it over and done with
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad that its over.
DeleteIt's sad that some of these people lost their jobs for standing up for what they believe is right. I just hope this incident will not happen again
ReplyDeleteWe havn't had the last of these strikes, now its truck drivers at it again.
Deletebut it all could have been avoided if they only set down and talked like adults
ReplyDeleteMaybe they have tried talking to the management but probably they were hasitant.
DeleteI hope it was a lesson learned for the government and businesses though the event was mostly painful for us, the public and miners
ReplyDeleteThis was just a reminder that history does repeat itself if we are not that careful. That is why it is so crucial to know your environment in the practice of public relations.
Deletejah they must be crucial in re-branding/re-implimanting new integrated strategy which can put their company's image back where it was before.
ReplyDeleteThis strike was an eye opener for me; there is still a lot of work to be done in this country.
DeleteMarikana strike was not of good benefits as many lost their lives while those who are still alive lost their jobs. Sometimes is good to strike or stand up for our rights but if we have to loose souls therefore I say "no to strike".
ReplyDeleteStrikes can be very bad in a way. I think sometimes there is just no way to avoid such things, and in a country like South Africa-strikes are always going to be there no matter what.
DeleteThis strike was one of the heaviest. it left a lot of people with broken hearts and injuries. the mine comunication people have a lot of work to do, in terms of changing the bad perception we all now have about them.
ReplyDeleteI just hope they will do it in a manner that will be accpetable an in a manner that will best suit the whole organisation.
DeleteGone to rest after blood, why didn't they settle this way before.
ReplyDeleteYah, you can just imagine that, why did they let the to go on like this if they had the money give out to their workers! If they had done what they did then sure a lot could have bben avoided from the very on-set.
Deleteme too i am relieved but it is very sad because some people lost their lives.
ReplyDeleteLets hope that there wo't be any kind of such incidents happening again.
DeleteGone to rest but a day to remember for all South African because people lost their lives fighting for what i think they deserved as the country economy contributers.
ReplyDeleteI say power to the people for fighting for what they believe is theirs. It is so sad to be working hard, yet working for peanuts.
DeleteI think south africa need to do something in regulating workers especially in mmining industries to avoid the same tragedy taking place in our coutry. The management as well should take into consideration their worker's concerns without any delay sice they know that they will eventually give them what they demends it will be very fruitfull to respond to their demand before hand.
ReplyDeleteI think the actual problem lies with the management; if people are happy in a working environment then there won't be any strikes, of which strikes which are unnecessary.
DeleteThe unions must first build a mutual relationship with their co-workers. I think the management should make sure such things never happen again. I'm happy at long last but i feel pity for those who lost their lives.
ReplyDeleteI gald as well. Damage control needs to be done ASAP
DeleteIt is really a joyful time for these people and just looking back it is really sad how many people had to loose their lives just to be heard. I am happy this matter has finlly come to rest viva
ReplyDeleteYes viva. These organisation love delaying the process, while they know that they need to give people what they deserve.
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