2007 South Africa miners' strike
Encyclopedia
The South Africa miners strike was a one day strike
by the National Union of Mineworkers
of South Africa
over working conditions and safety in the country's mining industry. It was the first ever industry-wide miners' strike in South African history
.
to protest unsafe working conditions.
to protest the working conditions.
Less than 5% of mineworkers came to work on that day.
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
by the National Union of Mineworkers
National Union of Mineworkers (South Africa)
-External links:* official site....
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
over working conditions and safety in the country's mining industry. It was the first ever industry-wide miners' strike in South African history
History of South Africa
South African history has been dominated by the interaction and conflict of several diverse ethnic groups. The aboriginal Khoisan people have lived in the region for millennia. Most of the population, however, trace their history to immigration since...
.
History
On 27 November 2007, the National Union of Mineworkers announced that South African mineworkers would go on strikeStrike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
to protest unsafe working conditions.
Strike
On 4 December 2007, the strike impacted over 240,000 workers in 60 of the nation's mines. The strike was spurred on by a rise in worker fatalities from 2006 to 2007, despite a government plan in October to reduce fatalities. Between 5,000 and 30,000 people showed up to a rally in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
to protest the working conditions.
Less than 5% of mineworkers came to work on that day.