SOUTH AFRICA: Striking miners demand more money from AngloGold Ashanti

Record ID: 340930

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Striking miners demand more money from AngloGold Ashanti
  • Date: 17th October 2012
  • Summary: GOLD ASHANTI, CARLETONVILLE, SOUTH AFRICA (OCTOBER 17, 2012) (REUTERS) STRIKING MINE WORKERS GATHERING ON HILL TOP NEAR ENTRANCE TO MINE MAN STANDING ON A ROCK AS MINE WORKERS GATHER STRIKING MINE WORKERS ON HILL TOP MINERS AT HILL TOP RUBBING THEIR FINGERS TOGETHER GESTURING MONEY MINERS PLAY FIGHTING WITH STICKS (SOUNDBITE) (Sotho) STRIKING MINER MPHO MOLEPO SAYING: "
  • Embargoed: 1st November 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADGVIHCTXUW9RH058Q21619CVG
  • Story Text: Hundreds of striking mine workers at the AngloGold Ashanti site, west of Johannesburg, occupied a hill top near the mine shaft on Wednesday (October 17) and vowed not to return to work until their wage demands are met.

    "We want more money, the R4000 that we are getting here is nothing, it is pocket money for school children," said striking worker Mpho Molepo, a sentiment clearly shared by his colleagues who rubbed their fingers together gesturing at an increase in wages.
    AngloGold Ashanti, the world's No.3 bullion producer, could make a decision next week on whether to follow other mines and issue striking workers with an ultimatum to return to work or be sacked, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
    South Africa has been swept by a wave of often violent industrial action in the last two months and some 35,000 employees, including contractors, at AngloGold's mines across the country have been striking illegally since September.
    Other mining companies have responded by issuing ultimatums to their employees, but AngloGold boss Mark Cutifani said the company had not yet decided whether to follow suite.
    Gold Fields has told the majority of its striking miners that they have until Thursday (October 18( to return to work or face immediate dismissal.
    Meanwhile, the strikes in South Africa's platinum belt are nearing almost two months with no resolution, while striking mine workers at Anglo Plats have also vowed to continue with industrial action.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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