Gold miners on strike in South Africa

SA, August 30 – Gold miners in South Africa have called a strike over their wage demands, to start on Tuesday, mine-owners say.

 

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has demanded rises of up to 60%. Earlier this week, workers rejected an offer of increases of about 6% – the same as the current annual rate of inflation.

 

South Africa is one of the world's biggest gold producers, but output has been hit by underinvestment and poor labour relations, analysts say.

 

South Africa's biggest gold miners – AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony Gold and Sibanye – as well as several smaller operators, have been served with a formal strike notice, the chamber of mines said.

 

The NUM represents about 64% of South Africa's 120,000 gold miners. South Africa is already grappling with strikes by car, construction and some aviation workers. Petrol station employees are also set to embark on industrial action next week.The government has called on the workers to ensure all strikes are peaceful. Last year, 34 striking platinum miners were shot dead by police after their protests turned violent.

 

Analysts say President Jacob Zuma is under pressure from both sides of the political spectrum.

 

Some members of the governing African National Congress want him to do more to relieve poverty, while the business community is urging him to focus on reducing bureaucracy, attracting foreign investment and speeding up South Africa's sluggish economic growth.

 

BBC