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The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) will today begin a strike action at all De Beers operations of Voorspoed in the Free State, Kimberly Mine in Kimberly, Diamond Trading Company in Kimberly and Venetia near Musina.

The strike comes after De Beers had failed to accede to NUM’s wage demands even when the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) had intervened. The failed intervention by the CCMA had led to the NUM receiving a certificate of non-resolution to the dispute and having to embark on a strike action to force the company to accede to the workers ‘legitimate demands.

The NUM demands a wage increment of 13% whilst the company offers 6%. The NUM further asked the company to increase annual leave days to 25 per annum instead of the current dispensation where workers in category A and B receive 21 days leave; those in C get 25 and those in D-upper are entitled to 30 days.

“We are also insisting that the company should phase out the A-band as there are only 25 employees throughout its operations and that they must offer a housing allowance of R4500” says Peter Bailey, the NUM ‘s Chief Negotiator at De Beers.

The strike action will begin with night shift and continue until all wage demands are met.

Peter Bailey- (NUM Chief Negotiator at De Beers) 082 883 7302