It is reported that Chamber of Mines has tabled a final wage offer for coal miners.

As per report a 9% offer was made by Anglo Coal, Xstrata, Exxaro, Delmas Coal and Kangra to increase the salaries of miners, artisans and officials. For all other employees, a 10% offer was tabled, except for entry-level salaries which would be increased to ZAR 3713 a month.

Dr Frans Barker a negotiator for the employers said that "The employers have made the best final offers they could within the constraints of their individual operational circumstances. We are confident that the unions will consider these offers favorably.”

The offer was made to members of the National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity and the United Association of South Africa, which represent workers in the sector.

The chamber in a statement said that "Optimum and Siyanda collieries do not have different categories of employees and their employees have been offered an increase of 9.5%. Springlake has offered between 9.5% and 10% for the lower category employees, while their miners, artisans and officials have been offered nine percent.”

Mr Lesiba Seshoka a NUM spokesperson said the offer was being taken back to the union's membership to be discussed. He said that "We are consulting with our members, I cannot comment on what the outcome would be.”

(Sourced from www.mg.co.za)