... that there must be a balance between organised labour and employers/investors, to ensure reasonable working conditions and wages for the workers on the one hand, and profitability and certainty for the shareholders on the other. The balance at present is seriously skewed towards the unions with AMCU, for example, demanding a starting salary of R17 500 per month in the platinum sector. This actively drives up the cost of production and encourages mining companies to take their investments elsewhere.
As a result, instead of creating jobs in the sector, we continue to shed them. By all means, let's fight for a reasonable wage, but let's also acknowledge that to create jobs, we need both employee and employer bodies to reach reasonable compromise. Unrealistic demands, unregulated and ill-disciplined strike action, and threats of violence and intimidation do nothing to further the cause of our mining sector or job creation. Therefore, let's take some bold decisions. Let's scrap the Mining Charter. Let's learn from Botswana, for example, which is widely regarded as having one of the most progressive mineral
policy regimes in the world, one that creates jobs and encourages mining investment.
Let's allow mining companies to focus on their core business, namely mining, rather than running clinics, bakeries and the like. Let's use royalties from mining companies to enable government to deliver services to the surrounding communities, rather than placing that burden on mine owners. Let's do so in a transparent and accountable manner where the community has a say in what the royalties are used for.
Let's put in place a modern, online mining rights and mining cadastral system that will speed up mining rights applications and make it easier for new entrants to gain access to the sector. Minister, let's get South Africa's mines working again. Thank you. [Time expired.]