Evander Gold Mines conclude three-year wage agreement

The Chamber of Mines, acting on behalf of Evander Gold Mines, is pleased to advise that the company has reached a three-year agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and UASA,” said spokesperson Dr Elize Strydom.

The agreement, which focused on wages and conditions of services is effective from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018.

“The producers were pleased that another settlement has been reached within the parameters agreed by the companies on October 2, 2015”, said Strydom.

“The wage settlements reached between the relevant companies and unions are all substantial – between 10% and 13% increase in basic wage for entry-level employees in each of the three years of the agreement.”

The agreement would see category 4 – 8 employees and B-lower officials take home an additiong R700 per month over the three years. The first year would also see them receive a R100 increase in their living-out allowance.

Miners, artisans and officials would receive 6% increase on their standard pay rate in the first year, and 6% or CPI, whichever is the greater amount, in the second and third years of the agreement.

Additionally, the agreement includes non-wage items such as an increase in medical incapacity benefit from R40,000 to R55,000 over the three years, an increase in current, guaranteed minimum severance pay from R20,000 to R30,000; an increase in funeral coverage for certain employee categories, and an increase of the retirement age to 63 among other issues.

Strydom said that in addition to this agreement, a “three-year agreement had been reached between AngloGold Ashanti and Harmony and NUM, Solidarity and UASA”.

The companies, she said, “have extended the agreement to all employees within the bargaining unit, irrespective of their union affiliation”.

Strydom noted that Sibanye Gold was still involved in talks with AMCU, the NUM, Solidarity and UASA “in an effort to reach a sustainable settlement”.

– African News Agency (ANA)