The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds its militant affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), for reaching a wage agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater gold operations.

NUM will sign the agreement on behalf of its members in Boksburg tomorrow, 8 November. This is after it received a fresh mandate from its members who overwhelmingly accepted the offer of R900 for workers in categories 4 to 8 and 5.5% for miners, artisans and officials.  This agreement will provide badly needed relief for thousands of struggling mineworkers.

Mineworkers have been under siege following rampant retrenchments in the sector. Earlier this year Sibanye-Stillwater admitted to having cut more than 11 000 jobs in 18 months. Negotiations by labour under Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act saved a total 1 866 jobs. The employer had originally planned to cut 3 107 jobs.

COSATU commits itself to continuing to support NUM as it strives to fight for and defend workers during these difficult times in the mining industry.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela(COSATU National Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zanele@cosatu.org.za