The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will on Friday meet with the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) in Bedfordview to begin wage negotiations.
This is a preliminary meeting where the union will be tabling its demands to the sector.
NUM is demanding:
That the minimum wage be increased to 2,200 rand per month (currently the lowest worker earns R1 500);
A 15% increase across the board;
A National Bargaining Council be set up;
That severance pay should be equivalent to one month’s wages and cover
workers limited on duration contract basis;
That there be 10% employment of women in the industry by 2004.
The union federation said it was open to engaging with the industry on all these issues and others.
“We hope that sound mind will prevail so that we can reach conclusion in a harmonious way,” NUM said in a statement. – I-Net-Bridge