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Johannesburg - North West Premier Thandi Modise called on miners and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) to increase efforts to end the crippling platinum sector strike.
"There is a need for parties to renew their commitment to end the strike which has entered its eighth week as it is impacting negatively on our economy and putting a strain on relations between striking miners and our communities."
Amcu said earlier on Monday that strike has been stepped up.
"The strike continues. The number of workers on strike has increased," said Amcu co-ordinator Evans Ramokga.
"No one reported for work today [Monday]. I have been going around the mine to check following allegation that workers intend to return to work. I can confirm no one has abandoned the strike. The workers are determined to fight for a living wage."
Amcu members at Anglo Platinum [JSE:AMS], Impala Platinum [JSE:IMP] and Lonmin [JSE:LON] downed tools on January 23, demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
They have rejected the companies' offer of an increase of up to 9%.
The union revised its demand saying the R12 500 could be achieved over four years. However, the companies rejected the offer, stating it was not affordable and amounted to a 30% increase.
Talks aimed at resolving the strike collapsed after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) found the parties were too far apart.
Earlier this month, the union presented a petition recording their unhappinessabout how government departments and platinum mining companies had handled their demands.
President Jacob Zuma was given until March 20 to respondto the petition.
