Miners at Impala Platinum are demanding a 20 per cent pay rise, South Africa's mineworkers union revealed yesterday (9th June).

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) released a statement indicating that the employees want an increase of more than double the country's 8.4 per cent inflation rate.

In addition, the union is asking the world's second-largest platinum producer to up its pension fund contribution from 16.5 per cent to 25 per cent.

On top of those changes, it also wants a moratorium placed on the employment and promotion of white women in order to balance the racial disparity among workers.

Wage talks are currently pencilled in for 17th June and the NUM revealed that it will be pushing for a one-year agreement with Impala rather than the customary two years.

"The NUM demands a wage increment of 20 per cent from Implats and entry level wages be elevated to 5,000 rand ($610.4 a month) for underground workers," said NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka.

Among the other demands expected to be put forward by the union are a higher transport allowance, longer maternity leave and fewer working days.

The wage talks are crucial to the platinum industry in South Africa as mining firms may see production hit badly if they are forced to pay out such additional costs.

Source:

SAfrica miners seek 20 pct wage hike from Implats (09/06/09)

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