|
South African gold miners on strike |
|
|
|
Written by Web Master
|
|
Sunday, 08 August 2004 |
South African gold miners have started their first industry wide strike in 18 years as they are demanding high wages in the world's biggest bullion producer.
South African gold miners have started their first industry wide strike in 18 years as they are demanding high wages in the world's biggest bullion producer. Near about 10,000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) are involved in the strike. The miners would remain on strike until a solution was found.
Around 100,000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) began the walkout at 2.00am AEST today.
Gwede Mantashe, general secretary of the NUM said, “I can say now that the strike is on. All the workers who were due to go on the 6pm shift are out; all the four companies (involved in failed wage talks) have been affected.”
Mr. Mantashe had earlier said even if any better wage offers were forthcoming, it would be too late to call off the strike.
An analyst at Deutsche Securities said that the strike will result to the loss of around 28,000 ounces of gold production and 79 million rand in lost revenue per day.
South Africa's gold industry accounts for around 15 per cent of global output and the mining sector contributes about 8 per cent to the nation's gross domestic product. |
