Mozambique: Australian mining giant denies firing workers illegally – Lusa

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Mozambique: Australian mining giant denies firing workers illegally – Lusa

9:05 CAT | 02 Jun 2023

FILE- For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Syrah Resources]

The Syrah Resources company, which explores graphite in northern Mozambique, said on Thursday it had expelled a group of workers who were involved in an “illegal strike” at its mine in Balama following disciplinary proceedings, denying the existence of any illegalities.

“Given the extensive and illegal nature of the actions carried out by the group, disciplinary proceedings were eventually brought against 14 workers, who were given the opportunity to respond under the legal framework of the Labour Code. The result of the disciplinary process led to the dismissal of 12 of the 14 workers,” Syrah Resources said in a statement sent to Lusa.

The group of workers from Twigg Exploration & Mining, a subsidiary of Australian group Syrah Resources, accused the firm of illegally dismissing employees who were involved in a strike in November at its mine in Cabo Delgado.

“The strike was collective and peaceful, but the company fired workers by telephone, chosen to represent the other employees at the time of mediation,” Tobias António, representative of the workers, all from Cabo Delgado, told Lusa in late May.

Although Syrah Resources said, in its reaction note, that 12 workers were fired, the representative of the defendants said that the measure was extended to a total of 23 people in a case that has been dragging on since December last year and was submitted to the authorities of Cabo Delgado, with emphasis on the local government.

“The actions of the small group of instigators have unfairly impacted over 1,500 employees and contractors, the vast majority of whom have expressed a willingness to work in this period,” Syrah Resources said.

“With the support of relevant government authorities, labour mediators and the union representing the majority of the workforce, Twigg repeatedly attempted, in good faith, to address the concerns and direct the resolution of any complaints through mandatory labour and legal processes”, it added.

In September 2022, in a statement sent to the Sydney stock exchange, the Australian company announced the suspension of operations due to an “illegal strike” organised by a “small group of local employees and collaborators”, stressing that it was working with union representatives and Mozambique’s government to begin negotiations with the strikers.

The Balama mine began commercial production four years ago and was highlighted in December when Syrah announced a deal with electric vehicle multinational Tesla, which plans to use graphite from the mine, described as one of the largest deposits of this type of “quality” ore in the world by the Australian company.

Source: Lusa