NUM submits its wage demands to the Chamber of Mines

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has on Friday submitted its wage demands to the Chamber of Mines for the 2013 wage negotiations. The union demands that surface workers should receive a minimum amount of R7000 and underground and opencast workers minimum should be set at R8000 per month. For all other categories, the NUM has put a demand of 15%. Furthermore, the union demands that Rockdrill Operators job categories be rolled up to category 8 whilst other categories are rolled up to category 7.

"These demands are informed by many studies which have revealed that cash wages received over time has indeed been growing but, the disposable wage has been under severe strain due to the effects of inflation and other expense incurred to maintain a worker' modest lifestyle" says Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary.

In addition to all these, the union has put forward several other demands dealing with housing allowance, market allowance, commuting allowance, risk allowance and living out allowance. These demands are for gold and coal employers affiliated to the Chamber of Mines.

The NUM will await a response from the Chamber of Mines as to when negotiations will begin.

Statement issued by Lesiba Seshoka, National Union of Mineworkers, May 20 2013

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