The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates its militant affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for finalising a landmark wage agreement at Gold Fields South Deep Mine.
The deal will cushion employees at the mine over the next five years with above-inflation salary increments and adjustments to their housing allowance, medical incapacity benefit, and funeral benefit, effective 1 March 2026. This momentous agreement also includes R50,000 one-off cash incentives for permanent and fixed-term employees with at least 12 months of continuous service. Non-permanent employees on active/residual learnerships, experiential learning, and related programs with at least six months of continuous service will receive a R10 000 once-off cash incentive.
The union accomplished long-term certainty, an indispensable possession in a sluggish economy with an alarming unemployment rate of 43.7%. Workers are currently in desperate need of tangible assistance to address the high cost of living. While trying to make ends meet, they are constantly intimidated by retrenchments threats.
COSATU applauds the NUM for relentlessly advocating for their members working in an industry deemed the most hazardous in the world. In the first year of the wage deal, underground workers on the minimum entry level will earn R18,663 per month. On the fifth year, their salaries will have been adjusted to R22,927 per month.
Additional adjustments to the housing benefit will ensure adherence to the Mining Charter and Compliance regulations of improving living standards of miners by providing decent shelter and promoting sustainable home ownership.
This achievement serves as bitter-sweet reminder to appreciate the conditions confronting miners. The demands of their striking counterparts at Marikana in August of 2012 were justified. A mere R12,500 was a drop in the ocean for the executives of the company considering the lucrative profits accumulated from the blood and sweat of underground miners.
As the country draws closer to observing the 14th anniversary of that painful event, COSATU does so with the consolation of the fighting spirit of the National Union of Mineworkers that continues to carry its members, is unwavering in raising warranted requests to the employer.
Issued by COSATU
Nonzuzo Dlamini (Communication Officer)
Mobile: 066 194 3619
Email: nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za