News
South Africa: Industrial unrest continues as miners reject latest wage offer
South Africa’s government and striking miners hardened their stances Friday, with miners rejecting a Lonmin platinum mine wage offer far below their demand and President Jacob Zuma’s government vowing to halt the miners’ illegal protests.
The bitter, Lonmin strike has spread to two other mines. Miners are calling on co-workers to shut down mines across the country, raising fears for the future of South Africa’s biggest industry.
The strikers turned down Lonmin’s offer of a 900 rand (US$112.50) increase that would give new-entry workers a basic monthly salary of 5,500 rand (US$688), their leaders said.
Strikers’ representatives, mining unions, Lonmin company officials and government officials prepared to continue negotiations Friday.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe meanwhile warned the government will clamp down on the daily illegal marches by miners brandishing machetes, spears and clubs that have marked the strike.
Radebe told a news conference Friday “the government will no longer tolerate illegal gatherings and brandishing of weapons in this way.”
The strike spread this week to the world’s largest platinum mine, Anglo American Platinum, and has also stopped work at a Gold Fields mine.
