Rock driller salary claims wrong: report

At least nine publications repeated a claim by a Lonmin rockdriller that he was only earning R4 000 per month, until a trade union pointed out the figure was wrong, according to a report.

Politicsweb says the initial report originated from mineworker Alfred Makhaya from the Eastern Cape, who was quoted by Sapa as saying: "We want money... This money is too little, I am working hard and I'm being paid so little."

Makhaya spoke to a Sapa journalist on the scene and said the miners' demands were a monthly salary of R12 500.

This was repeated nationally and internationally by media publications like the Guardian in the United Kingdom, the Guardian Africa, City Press, Reuters, and the Daily Telegraph, among others.

Politicsweb pointed out in a feature that trade union Solidarity issued a statement on Monday, saying the adjusted total cost package for a Lonmin rock drill operator was approximately R10 500 a month.

Lonmin confirmed to Sapa that rock drill operators earn R10 000 per month without bonuses and over R11 000 including bonuses.

"Lonmin signed a two-year agreement in 2011, and the second increase becomes effective on 1 October 2012 and will run until 30 September 2013, when a new deal will need to be negotiated," the company said.

"These levels are in line with those of our competitors and are before the wage hike of some 9% which will come into effect on 1 October 2012."

If the increase applied the compensation package would be between R11 000 and R12 000 per month cost to company. However the net income would be less after deductions, Politicsweb reported.

Last week, Lonmin rock drill operators embarked on a protest action that saw 10 people, including two security guards and two police officers, killed.

The protests culminated in clashes with the police on Thursday, in which 34 miners were shot dead, more than 70 injured and 260 arrested.

The protests were believed to be linked to rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union over recognition agreements at the mine.

Workers also wanted higher pay.