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Cape Town - Overhauling the job grading system in the gold mining sector is at the heart of wage negotiations and a sentiment shared by rival unions, reported BDLive on Tuesday.
Wage negotiations are set to resume on Tuesday, but talks promise to be tense as the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and its rival the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) both believe that the job grading system needs to be revised.
However, the Chamber of Mines was quoted as saying that collapsing job categories would have substantial cost implications.
"Gold producers are not in a position to contemplate any further roll-ups," the chamber said.
It further added that the process would threaten jobs, undermine the recognition of skills and promote discontent.
"We are saying what bedevils the remuneration structure in the mining sector is the grading system", said NUM general secretary Frans Baleni.
"We (are) saying ... agree to move away from this system. They are refusing."
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said the grading system contributed to mineworkers at the lower ranks not being able to afford even the most basic goods and services.
He said the union’s wage demands illustrate the importance of significantly overhauling the grading system.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration will be facilitating the wage negotiations after talks with the chamber deadlocked last week.
The NUM wanted surface workers to earn a minimum of R7 000 a month, and underground and open-cast workers R8 000 a month, while Amcu tabled a 150% increase for entry-level underground workers.
The chamber raised its initial offer from 4% to 5% on top of basic wages, as well as 5% on the R1 640 living-out allowance, reported City Press last week.
Entry-level basic wages are about R5 000 per month. This excludes certain allowances and bonuses.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has called on unions and producers to put the interests of the economy and the country first.
- Fin24
Wage negotiations are set to resume on Tuesday, but talks promise to be tense as the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and its rival the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) both believe that the job grading system needs to be revised.
However, the Chamber of Mines was quoted as saying that collapsing job categories would have substantial cost implications.
"Gold producers are not in a position to contemplate any further roll-ups," the chamber said.
It further added that the process would threaten jobs, undermine the recognition of skills and promote discontent.
"We are saying what bedevils the remuneration structure in the mining sector is the grading system", said NUM general secretary Frans Baleni.
"We (are) saying ... agree to move away from this system. They are refusing."
Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said the grading system contributed to mineworkers at the lower ranks not being able to afford even the most basic goods and services.
He said the union’s wage demands illustrate the importance of significantly overhauling the grading system.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration will be facilitating the wage negotiations after talks with the chamber deadlocked last week.
The NUM wanted surface workers to earn a minimum of R7 000 a month, and underground and open-cast workers R8 000 a month, while Amcu tabled a 150% increase for entry-level underground workers.
The chamber raised its initial offer from 4% to 5% on top of basic wages, as well as 5% on the R1 640 living-out allowance, reported City Press last week.
Entry-level basic wages are about R5 000 per month. This excludes certain allowances and bonuses.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has called on unions and producers to put the interests of the economy and the country first.
- Fin24
