[miningmx.com] — THE National Union of Mineworkers (Num) said on Monday it would seek a 14% rise in salaries from the country’s gold and coal miners in upcoming wage talks.
“That’s correct. We are meeting with the Chamber of Mines as we speak,” said spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka.
Earlier this month the union said it was also demanding a 14% rise in wages for its members at Impala Platinum.
The Chamber of Mines said it was “concerned” by Num’s demands for an above-inflation rise in salaries.
“From our initial analysis, the demand for a new minimum monthly wage constitutes an increase of 25%,” said Elize Strydom, the COM’s industrial relations adviser.
“This, together with the demand for an increase of basic salaries of 14%, as well as a demand for approximately 45% increase in the living out allowance (which for Gold currently adds another R1,400 to the remuneration package), reflect a disregard for consumer price index which is currently just slightly above 4%.”
