Johannesburg - Over 13 000 striking Gold Fields [JSE:GFI]
workers have to report for work by no later than 2pm on Thursday or face
dismissal.
Those who returned to work before the deadline would benefit
from an agreement reached under the auspices of the Chamber of Mines, Gold
Fields CEO Nick Holland said on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the company issued a final ultimatum to all
striking workers at its KDC West and Beatrix four shaft.
The miners have been on strike for more than a month for a
monthly wage of R12 500.
The company said it had been left with little option but to
issue the ultimatums, given the escalating violence among strikers. This
included intimidation, attempted murder, and damage to property.
On Wednesday Gold Fields reported a full turnout of 6 200
employees at the number one, two, and three shafts of its Beatrix mine in the
Free State.
About 2 800 employees at the Beatrix four shaft (formerly
Oryx gold mine), 11 000 at KDC West, and 8 500 at KDC East, remained on an
unprotected strike.
The ultimatum did not apply to the KDC East mineworkers who
went on strike on Sunday. The company had applied for an interdict declaring
that strike unlawful.
Gold Fields had lost about R1.2bn in revenue and 65,000 ounces in gold production due to the strike. The company had saved R900m in wages over the same period.