South Africa?s crucial mining sector was hit Tuesday by its biggest strike in two decades, as tens of thousands of workers stayed home to protest poor safety conditions that contribute to the high death rate among miners. The one-day protest affected more than 60 companies mining gold, platinum and coal, according to the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents about 270,000 workers. A spokesman for Gold Fields, the nation?s second biggest gold producer, said about two-thirds of the company?s work force stayed home. ?Those who own the mines are chasing profits at the expense of people?s lives,? said a spokesman for the mine workers? union, which called the strike. ?We are losing mine workers on an almost daily basis. This is because of pure negligence.?
See "South African Miners Strike for Better Safety Conditions", Sharon LaFraniere, The New York Times, December 4, 2007