Lonmin, slavery and normality

So I met some people who work in finance. Work hard, get some money and then get out. Maybe even before 45. Support your family. Etc. Then I read the story about Lonmin (London Mining, gettit?). And I thought, ‘but what would you be investing and trading in while you earn that money?’

If you missed the story – it’s all on the Guardian website. Platinum miners in South Africa go on strike, demanding a threefold increase in their £300-a-month wages. Bosses don’t want this to happen. Fight with some scabs and police leave 2 police and 8 other people dead. Later, police kill 34 and arrest 259.

In light of the tragedy, President Zuma declares national mourning (desperate to keep up his ratings?) and Lonmin in an unprecedented act of capitalist generosity give the strikers one more day to decide that they should give up and go back to work / get sacked. It’s a free world, guys!