Assmang's talks with workers break down

Durban - Talks between Assmang and its workers who were claiming compensation for being exposed to high levels of manganese dust at its Cato Ridge plant have broken down. The public inquiry into the matter will continue at the end of the month.

Richard Spoor, the lawyer representing the workers, said yesterday that Assmang had called off a meeting with the union and himself scheduled for yesterday. The company had informed them that it had decided to prepare for the inquiry.

Spoor said Assmang was in denial and was not willing to acknowledge its responsibility to workers who were suffering from manganism.

The parties were also unable to agree on the number of people who had manganism.

“We are back to adversarial mood, but they have said they have left the door open for talk,” said Spoor. “But it will be difficult to salvage the situation because you can't talk and fight at the same time.”

Manganism is a condition of the brain and nervous system that can cause infertility, memory loss, poor balance, inability to walk, blinding headaches and severe body tremors. Five workers have been diagnosed with manganism, but Spoor and the union say at least 50 workers show symptoms of the disease.

Spoor said another cause of the breakdown of negotiations was that Assmang was unwilling to have an independent medical team that would be responsible for the diagnosis.

“They insisted on controlling the medical processes and they brought people from the US who are known to defend companies that work with manganese.”

Assmang and the workers have been in discussions for six months trying to find a settlement that would prevent the public inquiry into the circumstances around the workers' exposure to manganese dust from going ahead.

The department of labour has granted Assmang and the workers' legal team three postponements since July because both parties said they were willing to find a solution without going through an inquiry.

Jan Steenkamp, an executive director at Assmang, confirmed that the inquiry would go ahead. But he would not elaborate on why the talks were discontinued.

He said all the parties had agreed that they would not make any public statements until the matter was concluded.

“There have been ups and downs during our discussions, but we are making progress and we are satisfied that the inquiry is proceeding.”

Occupational hygienist Occutech warned Assmang in 1995 about its levels of manganese dust, which were found to be too high.

It was suggested that the company reduce them from 5 milligrams to 0.2mg a cubic metre. Assmang is jointly owned by Assore and African Rainbow Minerals The department of labour said both parties had promised that when the inquiry resumed, they would be ready and would come up with a way forward.

The inquiry will take place from February 25 to 29.