Three-year wage settlement approved for South African coal workers

Under the agreement:

• Entry-level to operator employees employed at larger companies will receive increases, some on a one-off basis and others staggered over two payments, of R1100 in the first year and guaranteed increases of between 7.5% – 8.5% in the second and third years.
• Entry-level to operator employees employed at smaller companies will receive increases ranging between 6 – 7.5% in the first year, and guaranteed increases ranging between 6% – 7.5%, and in other cases, CPI+1%, in the second and third years.

Motsamai Motlhamme, Head of Employment Relations at the Chamber of Mines said: “After months of negotiations, we have reached an agreement which not only represents a reasonably balanced outcome, but will also secure stability in the industry for a three-year period. This is in the best interests of employees, the industry and the country as a whole.”