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Wednesday, 29th July 2009 (549 views)

Gold miners in South Africa have secured a "favourable" wage deal after negotiations between the country's biggest trade union and the Chamber of Mines.

Gideon du Plessis, deputy general secretary of union Solidarity, told Business Day he was "particularly satisfied" that the deal had been reached without industrial action.

Under the terms of the two-year agreement, miners, artisans and officials working in the gold sector will receive a nine per cent pay rise in 2009. Workers classed as category four to eight employees will get an increase of ten per cent.

In the second year, gold industry employees will receive a pay rise based on an average of consumer price inflation plus one per cent at a minimum of 7.5 per cent, Solidarity said.

Mr du Pleissis said that while the global downturn is putting pressure on mining companies, the wage deal would support a "concerted effort" to take advantage of the green shoots of recovery already apparent in some areas of mining and the wider economy.

South Africa's Chamber of Mines is a voluntary organisation comprising private sector mining companies. It was founded in 1889.

 

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