News
South Africa: Gold mine owners, unions reach pay deal
South Africa’s gold mine owners and unions representing picketing workers said Wednesday they had reached a deal aimed at ending months of industrial unrest that has curbed production of the precious metal.
Negotiators for the Chamber of Mines and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) agreed to a series of pay rises that will be put to striking workers for approval beginning Wednesday.
“We think it is a very good settlement and we are hopeful that the NUM will get the striking members back to work,” said Sven Lunsche a spokesman for Gold Fields, one the strike-hit firms that was party to the agreement.
The deal, if ratified, would see a pay increase for entry-level workers, and an “allowance” for rock drill and the creation of new pay scales.
As part of the agreement there will also be a commission of inquiry into working and living conditions at the mines.
Months of industrial unrest have strangled production in South Africa, which accounts for around 7 percent of global production.
“It is critical that all the parties show leadership in restoring stability to the mining industry and bringing an end to the unprotected industrial action that is besetting the industry,” said Elize Strydom, a chamber negotiator.
