Human Resource Development

Employment Equity

In line with the act and the approved policy, Employment Equity in the Company includes Women in Mining and giving opportunities to the disabled people. There are limitations to placing women underground. The National Nuclear Regulator puts limitation to the radiation exposure of women of child bearing age. Once the woman declares herself pregnant, she is removed from underground for the remainder of her pregnancy.

Employment equity plans and annual progress reports for all operations are submitted to the Department of Labour and the Department of Minerals and Resources. The company is on course to achieve the agreed targets. The operations are aware of this imperative and are doing their best to open opportunities for women in the technical positions within mining industry.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

The Company policy on Skills Development seeks to address spending on training to achieve well planned outcomes. The purpose is to ensure that training outcomes lead to increased recognition for learners through existing training mechanisms such as certificates, degrees, diplomas to achieve improved performance. Training is also aimed at ensuring sustainable economic participation through the acquisition of relevant skills.

In order to achieve targets set out in the Group Transformation Policy, internal candidates are being identified to be trained to fill in critical positions. The operations have all done a skills audit to understand where age and skills gap exist. Development programmes have been identified in order to groom and mentor candidates for critical positions. These include Electrical, Boilermaker, Fitter, Rigger, Instrumentation, Mining, Instrumentation, Engineering, Metallurgy, Geology Survey, etc. In addition, Portable Skills Training Programme has started. In this regard, some employees, who will have the most difficulty in finding re-employment are trained on alternative skills, giving them an opportunity for self employment or employment within the South African Employment. The courses include Computer Skills, House Wiring, Auto Servicing, Basic Welding, Plumbing, Masonry, Carpentry and Painting, etc. The Company is committed to offering its employees an opportunity to become functionally literate and numerate. Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) is available in all operations. About R447,000 was spent in the provision of ABET in the FY2010.

MIGRANT LABOUR

All the operation within the Group follow a policy of non-discrimination towards foreign migrant labour and subscribe to best-practice industry and government guidelines with regard to the employment thereof. Migrant labour is defined as non-South African citizens originating from a country within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

HOUSING AND LIVING CONDITIONS

Healthy living style, in a suitable environment is a necessary condition to the well being and safety of employees. The company has signed an agreement with the Unions to ensure that all employees receive and adequate living out allowance which is included in the all-inclusive remuneration package. The Company outsources the management of the hostels at Ezulwini to BEE accredited companies. Continuous audits ensures that the facilities are kept clean, and upgrades undertaken when necessary. Menu served at the hostels has been approved by an accredited nutritionist and is regularly audited to ensure adherence to industry standards.