Johannesburg - Workers at Xstrata's mine in Brits, in North West, have joined a wave of illegal and unprotected strikes in the sector, the provincial branch of Cosatu said on Tuesday.
"Like other workers in the mining sector, workers at this mine are demanding the improvement of wages and other benefits," the North West Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said in a statement.
Provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said mine management had downgraded the workers' conditions of service.
Workers were unhappy about this and were also demanding higher wages and other benefits.
"Cosatu has also been informed that there is a high level of exploitation and the use of labour brokers in the company, which makes the workers'condition of employment to differ sharply," Phetoe said.
He urged the workers to remain united against capitalism.
Xstrata could not immediately be reached for comment.
On Tuesday morning, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and provincial Cosatu leaders went to Anglo American Platinum's Amandelbult mine.
"The workers' committee agreed to let the union address the workers, but then the [union representatives'] car was stoned," Phetoe said.
A criminal case was opened.
Police Colonel Emelda Sethlako was not immediately able to confirm this.