Harmony's Doornkop mine
Trade unions Solidarity, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, the National Union of Mineworkers, Uasa and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa have reached a three-year wage agreement with JSE-listed Harmony Gold.
The agreement makes provision for a 6% salary increase every year for the next three years for miners, artisans and officials.
Category 4 to 8 employees will receive an increase of R1 000 a year over the next three years - this translates to an 8.4% increase for employees across these categories.
The housing allowance will be increased from R2 750 to R2 990 and further to R3 240 over the next three years.
Solidarity says that, to ensure miners benefit from modernisation, the wage agreement also provides for ongoing consultation between the company and trade unions on aspects related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly the implementation of modern mining technology.
Meanwhile, Solidarity describes the Harmony agreement as a victory for collective bargaining. “The settlement was reached without a deadlock or a dispute process.
“It was also the first time that negotiations took place at mining level and not at a central level through the Minerals Council South Africa. It was also the first time that the three traditional mining unions negotiated jointly under the banner of a coalition – a victory for every employee,” Solidarity states.
Harmony Gold CEO Peter Steenkamp comments that the agreement reflects the strong partnership between Harmony and organised labour, “demonstrating our commitment towards our long-term sustainability and our people”.