Mining giant Lonmin has dropped its threat to fire workers who failed to return to work at a South African mine after deadly clashes last week.
The decision came after the South African government appealed to the firm to withdraw the ultimatum for workers at the Marikana mine.
Last week, police shot dead 34 strikers at the mine.
The country’s parliament is due to debate the killings on Tuesday, amidst a national outcry.
President Jacob Zuma has a declared a week of national mourning and has promised to appoint a commission of inquiry into the shooting.
‘Calming emotions’
Mark Munroe, Lonmin’s executive vice president, said firing thousands of workers would not necessarily ease tension.
“I don’t think it’s going to contribute to a more stable environment if Lonmin goes out and puts deadlines and ultimatums and says we will fire everyone if no-one comes to work,” he said.
A minister in Mr Zuma’s office, Collins Chabane, said Lonmin had agreed to suspend its ultimatum in talks with the government.
“I think we need to try to temper the flare-up of emotions on all sides and try to find a reasonable solution to address the problems,” he said on local radio, AFP news agency reports.
Lonmin said 33% of its 28,000-strong workforce showed up for work on Tuesday, the South African Press Association reports.
Senior opposition party members visited the mine in North West province ahead of a special parliamentary sitting that will debate the incident, South Africa’s Mail and Guardian newspaper reports.
We have heard the workers concerns and we have familiarised ourselves with the situation. We will now be in a better position to ask the right questions in parliament,” opposition United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa is quoted as saying.
About 3,000 rock-drill operators walked out more than a week ago in support of demands for higher pay.
The strike was declared illegal by Lonmin, the world’s third-largest platinum producer, and the mine was shut.
Clashes between strikers, some holding clubs and machetes, and police culminated on Thursday when officers armed with automatic rifles and pistols fired dozens of shots.
The miners, who are currently earning between 4,000 and 5,000 rand ($484-$605) a month, say they want their salary increased to 12,500 rand ($1,512).
