Harmony Faces Unrealistic Demands For Improved Ben
HARMONY FACES UNREALISTIC DEMANDS FOR IMPROVED BENEFITS
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. - News Release
Johannesburg, 15 May 2002 - Harmony today announced that pending industrial
action by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is looming at a second of
its operations in as many weeks.
Last week Union members at Harmony`s Kalgold operation went out on a
unprotected strike. This week at its Randfontein operations, management was
informed of the unions intention to embark on industrial action due to
management`s refusal to accept to the unions demand to increase living out
allowances from R351.00 to R1500.00 per month. Living out allowances are
paid to employees who elect not to stay in the company`s mine hostels free
of charge.
Commenting on the pending strike, chief executive Bernard Swanepoel said:
"Randfontein pays amongst the top living out allowances in the industry and
to demand a 327% increase in this allowance, indicates the confusion that
the exchange rate and gold price has brought within the minds of some of our
stakeholders. In the long term interest of the South African gold mining
industry, opportunistic positioning by all stakeholders must be resisted".
Harmony`s Randfontein operations is covered by the Chamber of
Mines two year wage agreement, which guarantees a minimum
basic rate of R2000.00 for underground employees by October 2002 and a 7,5%
across the board increase for the remainder of the employees in the NUM
bargaining unit.
The strike is due to start on Thursday, 16 May 2002, at night shift.
Ends
For further details contact:
Bernard Swanepoel on +27(0)83-303-9922
or
Ferdi Dippenaar
on +27(0)82-807-3684
Issued by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited
Contact:
Corne Bobbert
Tel +27 11 411 2036
Fax +27 11 411 2169 Mobile +27 83 380 6614
E-mail: cbobbert@harmony.co.za
Web Site:
www.harmony.co.za
Date: 15/05/2002 02:50:02 PM Produced by the SENS Department
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