Improving labour conditons
South Africa is one of the leading global suppliers of minerals needed for the energy transition. Research on labour rights in the South African mining sector, by Profundo for CNV Internattionaal, reveals recurring labour rights issues. In South Africa CNV Internationaal focusses on improving labour conditions especially in the manganese and chromium industry, due to their big demands and economic importance during the energy transition.
South Africa’s mining industry has a growing role in the global energy transition, being a major producer of critical minerals such as chromium, manganese, platinum, titanium, and vanadium. These resources are vital for renewable energy technologies. Unfortunately, the current focus on just transitions often neglects the workers indispensable for the extraction.
CNV Internationaal's research reveals miners have to deal with hazardous working conditions, job insecurity and low wages, while being severely affected by the intensified resource extraction required for this energy shift.
CNV Internationaal aims to develop informed strategies to engage with upstream and downstream stakeholders, advocating for improved labour conditions throughout the mineral supply chain
The reserach focusses on:
- Challenges within the mining sector: from low wages to hazardous working conditions.
- Analysis of the value chain: who are the key players and what responsibilities do they have?
- Special focus on the position of women, youth and migrant workers in the sector.
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