[miningmx.com] — The National Union of Mineworkers (Num) on Monday started wage talks with the Chamber of Mines on the union’s demand for a 14% rise in salaries from gold and coal miners.
“The intention of today’s talks was to get an understanding of why the demand is 14%, to show where we are coming from,” Num spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said.
The chamber said in a statement that it will respond to the unions on behalf of the gold mining sector on June 20, after the companies had studied the demands fully.
A meeting to respond to the demands with regard to coal mining companies will take place on June 21, it said.
“Some of (the demands) have very high cost implications and it was important to us that we receive clarity on them,” said Elize Strydom, the negotiator for the chamber.
The industry body said last month that the union was also demanding a 45%increase in allowances for miners living outside company hostels.
South Africa’s inflation rate stood at 4.2% in April.
The gold miners usually reach two-year wage agreements with the union and the current contract expires June 30.
