The National Union of Mineworkers could seek pay hikes of up to 100% for its lowest-paid members in upcoming wage talks in the gold, coal and diamond sectors, its general secretary said yesterday.
Said Frans Baleni: "The minimum levels may suggest 100% in some instances and minimum demands will vary according to sectors like gold and diamonds."
Speaking on the sidelines of a conference called by NUM to draft its 2015 wage demands, Baleni said the lowest wages for its members were R6000 a month in gold, R7000 in coal and R9000 in the diamond sector.
Gold wage agreements expire at the end of June and industry executives have repeatedly said they cannot afford big increases as they grapple with depressed prices, power constraints and falling grades in the world's deepest mines.
NUM represents 57% of the gold sector workforce. Its arch rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union , represents 25%.
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