Hospital faces closure after retrenchments
2011-06-24 17:40
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Johannesburg - A hospital in Buffelsfontein, North West might close down after the possible retrenchment of 140 of its employees, the trade union Solidarity said on Friday.
"The Duff Scott hospital will be forced to close its doors unless it is bought out. If it is, then there is a possibility that no retrenchments will take place in this division," Solidarity spokesperson Ilze Nieuwoudt said.
The retrenchments were part of a large-scale plan by gold company Simmer & Jack (Simmers), she said.
Simmers acquired Buffelsfontein Gold Mines and the hospital for R70m in October 2005 after it had been placed into provisional liquidation.
On June 15 Simmers handed over a notice for the retrenchment of 1 246 workers at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine and the hospital.
Nieuwoudt said that the hospital was the closest medical facility to the mine and its employees' safety would be jeopardised if a buyout did not happen.
The first round of consultations were held on June 17 but no implementation date had been announced.
A spokesperson for Duff Scott hospital was not immediately available for comment.
- SAPA
