Trade union Solidarity on Thursday said the latest wage increase offer made by the Minerals Council South Africa on Thursday was lower than its members expected.
It pointed out that the council, which is negotiating on behalf of gold mining companies, had offered between a 3.5% and a 4.5% increase in the salaries of skilled employees.
Solidarity was, however, confident that the higher offer would create a platform for “continued constructive” negotiations.
Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis added that the proposed increase in the monthly housing allowance, from R2 100 to R2 200, was a step in the right direction, but still not sufficient.
“Solidarity welcomes the council’s agreement to negotiate further on the revision of production bonuses to investigate the potential negative impact thereof on safety,” he further pointed out.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), however, felt no progress had been made in the negotiations.
"We regard the offers by the employers as disingenuous. This is indeed a war being declared by the gold producers. We will take their offers to our members with immediate effect and they are the ones who will give us a way forward," NUM general secretary David Sipunzi said.
Chief negotiator on behalf of the gold mining companies Motsamai Motlhamme urged the unions and employees to “carefully consider” the offer.
“Only by ensuring the sustainability of the industry will mines remain viable and able to sustain jobs,” he said.
Negotiations will resume on August 14.