agencies to curb it and we must never
turn a blind eye.”
Pienaar says that skills shortages in
both industries can be attributed to poor
or fragmented education at all levels.
Steps need to be taken to rectify the prob-
lem and industry needs to step in and get
more involved in education and training.
Businesses pay Setas to undertake or facil-
itate training within their industries, yet
make no demands on these Setas when
skills are not forthcoming.
“Business has a huge role to play and
cannot simply lump all the responsibility
on government’s doorstep. So-called ‘soft
issues’ relating to human resources are
paid scant regard as businesses pursue
profits and success. Health and safety of
workers are often ignored and workers
ambitions are systematically squashed.
Without people, a business is nothing.
In future we would like to see businesses
pay far more attention to meeting the
basic needs of their workers.
“Surrounding communities should
also be considered and if we all learn
to work together in a manner where
everyone gets to benefit, then we will
prosper and thrive as a nation.
“If industry gets this right then peo-
ple’s perceptions will change and so will
Nearly a decade after Aspasa began auditing member mines and quarries to ensure compliance with
required health and safety requirements, the initiative is paying dividends.
their behaviour. This can play a significant
role in limiting labour unrest and contrib-
uting to a happier more productive work-
force,” he adds.
MQ
October - November 2013
MODERN QUARRYING
37
ASPASA/SARMA
VIEWPOINT
