admineffect a 60 percent salary increment.
Union president, Enock Makenga Sithole, in a statement said while the mining sector was still recovering from a myriad of challenges as a result of long economic recession, the companies should pay a living wage of US$506.
“International prices of minerals have been buoyant against a relatively stable cost structure, implying improvements in the profitability.
“So we are therefore expecting the mining sector to seriously consider the plight of their workers, taking a cue from what the Government is doing to the civil servants,” Mr Sithole said.
He said if the companies failed to address the salary issue, the union would mobilise the 35 000 mine workers to engage in a collective job action.
“As representatives of workers in the mining sector, we are seriously concerned by the lack of co-operation from employers in the sector when it comes to wage negotiations and proposals. So in terms of Section 104 of the Labour Relations Act, we will follow the procedures that allow us after failing to negotiate to go on strike,” he said.
He noted that most workers were earning between US$175 and US$188 per month but senior managers were earning between US$10 000 and US$12 000 per month over and above luxurious cars and other allowances.
“They are abusing the workers rights who are the vanguard of the state and as such the union is giving a warning,” he said.
Online Reporter