The President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mr Eugene McGlone, has said that it is vital for unions in South Africa to remain united and focused on securing justice for members, following the shooting dead by police of 34 striking mine workers last week.
Speaking at the opening of the 2012 Congress Global Solidarity Summer School, Mr McGlone said he fully supported calls for a thorough investigation into the killings and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
"The killings at the Marikana platinum mine deeply shocked trade unionists in Ireland and across the world and seemed like a throwback to another era. We send our condolences to all those affected.
"At this time, it is vital that unions resist attempts by the mine-owners, Lomin, to weaken and divide them from one another," Mr McGlone said.
"We welcome the leadership shown by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and their affiliates in appealing for calm and we support the call for a thorough investigation to bring to justice those responsible for these killings."
Mr McGlone said that further violence had since brought the death toll to 44 with disputes arising at other mining facilities.
He was speaking at the opening of the fourth Congress Global Solidarity Summer School, which takes place this year in Wexford (White's Hotel) and runs from August 24-25.
Among the participants are: Minsiter for Trade and Development, Joe Costello; NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet; Judith Kirton-Darling from the European Trade Union Confederation; Prof. Edward Lahif of University College Cork, Jeff Vogt from the International Trade Union Confederation; Owen Tudor of the UK's Trade Union Congress and Ronaldo Munck from Dublin City University.
