Gold wage consultations continue

The outcome of consultations by NUM with its membership on the latest wage offer by gold producers would be announced in October.

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Johannesburg - The outcome of consultations by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) with its membership on the latest wage offer by gold producers would be announced next month, the union said on Monday.

“Mass meetings with workers continue, leaders are taking mandate from workers on the wage offer. We will announce the outcome of consultations on October 1,” said NUM president Piet Matosa as he addressed journalists at a media briefing in Johannesburg.

The Chamber of Mines announced last week that the new wage 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.

The chamber’s chief negotiator Dr Elize Strydom said the offer equated to total increases for entry-level, underground employees of between R2 869 and R3 552 over the duration of the agreement.

Guaranteed pay included basic pay and allowances, as well as medical and retirement contributions, Strydom said at the time.

The wage negotiations for the gold sector started in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, in June.

Four trade unions – NUM, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), Solidarity and the United Association of South Africa (Uasa) – negotiated wage increments and other conditions of employment with five gold companies. These companies are: AngloGold Ashanti, Evander Gold Mines, Harmony, Sibanye Gold and Village Main Reef.

Gold Fields did not take part in the negotiations. The company concluded a wage agreement with NUM in April.

Gold Fields’ current wage agreement became effective on July 1.