Platinum miners in South Africa are facing demand for significant increases in wages, it has been revealed.

South Africa's largest mineworkers union has signalled its intent to see major increases in wages for its members this year, particularly in the platinum and gold sectors, which have benefited from soaring commodity prices.

Frans Baleni, general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), told Reuters that the organisation is keen to see "substantial increases" in wages, with double digit growth described as "not off the mark".

Mr Baleni even refused to rule out initial demands of above 20 per cent, suggesting that there will be some tough negotiating between the NUM and the mining companies this year, coming just two years after the bitter wage negotiations that led to strikes across South Africa.

The NUM is also planning to look at the issue of social conditions when discussing the new deal, Mr Baleni added.

"Currently for miners kept in the hostels there are no sporting activities other than providing them with SAB products, which is liquor. That's the only entertainment," he explained.

Sources:

S.AFRICA MINE UNION SAYS TO SEEK WAGE RISES INTO DOUBLE DIGITS FROM GOLD, PLATINUM FIRMS
12/4/2007
Reuters Market Reports

Miners' union wants double-digit wage rises
12/4/2007
http://www.mineweb.net/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page504?oid=19409&sn=Detail

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