WATCH: Impala Platinum workers strike

Mpho Moere, National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch secretary, outlined their demands for the next two years and says that workers will not return to work unless their demands are met.

During a meeting held on September 20 the mine granted employees a wage increase ranging from 7.5% to 10% for the different clusters but workers refuse to settle for anything less than 9.5% to 10%.

The same increase is expected for accommodation benefits.

Workers are also demanding higher medical aid contributions.

They are asking for R750 per month for the main member and spouse, and R500 for each dependant.

The mine currently pays only R300 per month for the main member.

“We are working with fumes and too many employee are sick,” says Moere.

In addition, Moere says that blatant discrimination is taking place with regard to retirement fund contributions as white workers receive around 20% while others get only around 16%.

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“We must harmonise this in order to promote equality,” says Moere.

Employees are asking for an 8% standby allowance to match what workers at the Rustenburg branch receive.

Lastly, they demand an increase in shift allowance as it has remained uncharged for more than 12 years.

“We think that if they can respond to these demands that workers will show their appreciation by sacrificing time away from their families to work on holidays as expected,” says Moere.

Moere maintains that their claims are reasonable as the company’s latest financial report indicated an increase in production and that the commodity price has increased.

Moere says that it is not enough for the wage gap to be closed between workers from the different clusters but that they expect it to be done across the board starting with senior management.

Protesters expect the strike to gain momentum with the coming days.

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