Revised wage offer tabled for gold sector

Gold producers have tabled a revised wage offer to trade unions, the Chamber of Mines said.

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Rustenburg - Gold producers have tabled a revised wage offer to trade unions, the Chamber of Mines said on Tuesday.

The Chamber of Mines chief negotiator, Dr Elize Strydom said the offer would see entry-level, underground employees receiving guaranteed pay of between R13 728 and R14 611 per month in the third year of the agreement.

This, she said, equates to total increases for entry-level, underground employees of between R2 869 and R3 552 over the duration of the agreement.

“As we have indicated throughout the negotiations, our focus is on achieving an agreement which will ensure the sustainability of the industry and jobs as far as possible. The offers made by the companies are generous, significantly above inflation and higher than any increases offered or agreed on in any other industry this year. We are focused on making a real difference to the lives of employees,” she said.

She said guaranteed pay includes basic pay and allowances, as well as medical and retirement contributions.

“As the producers, we cannot ensure the sustainability of our industry on our own. We urge all parties to consider the situation the industry currently finds itself in and the long-term consequences of unrealistic wage increases. We further urge the unions and our employees to seriously consider this offer,” Strydom said.

The trade unions - Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and Uasa - and gold producers - AngloGold Ashanti, Evander Gold Mines, Harmony and Sibanye Gold - are scheduled to meet on Monday.

African News Agency