NUM wants 37% pay hike from gold miners over the next two years
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has submitted wage hike demands in the gold sector of up to 37% over a two-year period, according to a document submitted to the Chamber of Mines seen by Reuters. The demands far exceed the current inflation rate of 3.8% and suggest potentially tough negotiations with companies that have been battling to contain soaring costs in the world’s deepest mines. The document, dated April 23, says the NUM wants the basic monthly pay for entry-level underground workers to rise to R10,500 over the next two years, which translates into annual increases of between 15% and 18.5%, depending on the company. This is less than opening demands of up to 75% by the NUM in previous negotiations, a sign that lower inflation and food prices may be moderating expectations. The three-year agreements reached in 2015 saw basic wage hikes of between 10% and 13% a year. The total package a miner receives is higher than the basic wage as it also includes housing and other ...
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