Eskom union wants South Africa to dump $8.5 billion

The National Union of Mineworkers, which represents the most workers of any union at Eskom, wants further consultations on the transition plan because of the threat it poses to as many as 51,000 jobs, it said in a statement on Monday.

The labour union’s demands add to criticism of the JETP by South African electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and energy minister Gwede Mantashe, who’ve said the country is being used as a “guinea pig” for a transition to renewable power.

A report released by South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission on Friday laid the blame for poor communication and lack of consultation with workers and communities at Komati at the government’s door.

It estimated that about 25,000 direct jobs and 26,000 indirect jobs would be lost if the process is conducted too hastily.