The Chamber of Mines offers 7.5% wage increase in the second round of coal wage negotiations

The Collieries members of the Chamber of Mines of South Africa today made a wage offer of 7.5% for lower category employees, and an offer of 6.5% for Miners, Artisans and Officials.

In addition to the wage increments, the Chamber of Mines made other substantive offers. These include increasing the medical incapacity benefit to R15 000 effective on 1 July this year, with a further increase to R20 000 on 1 July 2010. The Companies also re-committed themselves to certain principles with regard to contractors in terms of which the conditions of employment of contractors should be in line with generally acceptable conditions of employment. The companies offered to increase the Living Out Allowance with the same percentage as the wage increase.  

“These are generous offers under trying economic conditions. The companies want to make progress as quickly as possible so that an agreement is reached that will be in the best interests of all stakeholders. In our view the negotiations today were very constructive”, said Dr Frans Barker, who negotiates for the Coal companies.

For any enquiries related to this media statement please contact:

Jabu Maphalala
Deputy Communications Adviser
Chamber of Mines of South Africa