De Beers settles 9% wage increase

[miningmx.com] – DE BEERS and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) agreed a 9% 2013 wage increase averting strike action after the two sides had deadlocked last week.

The terms of the settlement apply to jobs in the A, B and lower C band bargaining unit, said De Beers in a statement on Sunday (July 7). The salary increase is effective from May, the group said.

De Beers also agreed to phase out the remaining A band positions that still exist at Kimberley Mines operation and at the Diamond Trading Company in Kimberley. There was also a commitment to promote home ownership for employees.

De Beers employs about 2,250 people working across three mines in South Africa of which the NUM represents 1,300 employees.