COSATU general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has backed demands by mineworkers for a 60% pay increase, saying their calls are "reasonable".
During his speech to the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) central committee in Pretoria, yesterday, Vavi said he did not understand the outcry from mining bosses.
"In fact the demands are absolutely justified and reasonable, a minimum amount of R7000 per month for surface workers and R8000 per month for underground workers and a 15% increase for all other categories.
"You are also absolutely right to demand that rock-drill operators' job categories must be increased to category 8," he said, warning them not to allow themselves to be taken back to the old days when they had no rights.
"Contrary to the media hype around the so-called troubles of your sectors, profits are still being generated for the shareholders," said Vavi.
Meanwhile Num president Senzeni Zokwana said the union should intensify its fight for skills training and development for workers across the mining, construction, and energy sectors, as it was important for transformation.
" Skills development is part of our victory and must be used to empower workers and be funded by the employer ," said Zokwana.
ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize, who also addressed the meeting, said his party needed to work closely with Num as the voice of the "majority of mineworkers".
Vavi backs call for 60% pay rise
COSATU general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has backed demands by mineworkers for a 60% pay increase, saying their calls are "reasonable".
During his speech to the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) central committee in Pretoria, yesterday, Vavi said he did not understand the outcry from mining bosses.
"In fact the demands are absolutely justified and reasonable, a minimum amount of R7000 per month for surface workers and R8000 per month for underground workers and a 15% increase for all other categories.
"You are also absolutely right to demand that rock-drill operators' job categories must be increased to category 8," he said, warning them not to allow themselves to be taken back to the old days when they had no rights.
"Contrary to the media hype around the so-called troubles of your sectors, profits are still being generated for the shareholders," said Vavi.
Meanwhile Num president Senzeni Zokwana said the union should intensify its fight for skills training and development for workers across the mining, construction, and energy sectors, as it was important for transformation.
" Skills development is part of our victory and must be used to empower workers and be funded by the employer ," said Zokwana.
ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize, who also addressed the meeting, said his party needed to work closely with Num as the voice of the "majority of mineworkers".
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