NUM wants 84% pay increase for entry-level gold mining workers
- Published on 22 May 2015
- HR Pulse News Desk
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will push for an 84% rise in basic pay for entry-level gold mining workers, a near 10 percentage-point increase on previous demands.
Documents obtained by Reuters show that the NUM, which represents 57% of the workforce in the gold mining industry, want employers to pay entry-level workers a basic R10,500 a month. Entry-level gold miners currently earn around R5,700 per month, not including various allowances structured into their pay packages.
The demands will set the stage for tough negotiations and a potentially protracted dispute with the gold mining companies as profit margins in the industry are under pressure. Meanwhile, the NUM’s rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), indicated last week it would seek a monthly wage of R12,500 for entry-level workers in the gold sector. Demands by the NUM union also include a 15% increase in pay for miners, artisans and officials across the board, as well as rises in living, medical and meal allowances.
