Parties gear up for gold sector wage talks

Wage talks between mining sector unions and gold producers are expected to start today (Wednesday). The Citizen reports that this is according to the Minerals Council SA, representing AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony, Sibanye-Stillwater and Village Main Reef, which said the talks are expected to draw around 200 employer and employee representatives. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity and UASA will negotiate on behalf of miners. ‘It is critical that the parties find common ground in the interest of the sustainability of our industry,’ said the Minerals Council’s head of employment relations, Motsamai Motlhamme, who will lead the talks on behalf of producers. The four gold mining companies directly employ around 80 000 workers which include miners, artisans and officials.

The NUM is expecting to bring a list of more than a dozen demands to the discussion, reports The Times. NUM general secretary David Sipunzi said the union would be going to the negotiating table in good faith and ready to make compromises where necessary. However‚ the union is not ready to bend on its demand that the employer contribute 70% of workers' medical aid. ‘Mine owners are doing away with mine hospitals and going the route of medical aids‚ therefore they must pay for it‚’ said Sipunzi. Sipunzi said the current medical aid arrangement was a 50-50 situation but they believe the employer should carry most of the bill.