Wage negotiations at Gold Fields’ South Deep Mine near Westonaria on Gauteng’s Far West Rand have stalled after unions rejected the company’s latest salary offer, arguing that workers deserve a larger share of the miner’s growing profits driven by soaring global gold prices.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the United Association of South Africa (UASA) are demanding an 11% wage increase for the lowest-paid workers and 9.5% for artisans and officials.
Gold Fields has offered increases of 7% for lower-income workers and 5.7% for artisans and officials.
The dispute has now escalated, with the unions invoking Section 16 of the Labour Relations Act to compel the company to disclose detailed financial information, including profitability figures and executive remuneration packages.
NUM spokesperson Senzo Mncwango said workers believe the current offer falls short of reflecting Gold Fields’ strong financial performance and the benefits gained from rising international gold prices.
Speaking after a mass meeting held on Tuesday, 19 May, Mncwango said members from both NUM and UASA had unanimously rejected the offer currently on the table.
He said the unions had reaffirmed their demands for an 11% increase for the lowest-paid workers and 9.5% for artisans and officials after assessing the company’s financial position.
According to Mncwango, the unions believe Gold Fields remains financially healthy and capable of meeting workers’ demands.