South African major Harmony Gold Mining has credited its strong partnership with organised labour for the successful conclusion of a three-year wage agreement it says will support long-term sustainability for the business and its workforce. The agreement is the company's first outside the Mineral Council’s central bargaining forum.
The deal, covering the period to end-June 2024, has been negotiated with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union, the coalition of the National Union of Mineworkers, United Association of South Africa and Solidarity and the National Union of Metalworkers. The unions represent 98% of Harmony’s employees.
It allows for annual wage increases averaging 8.4% for category 4-8 employees and 6% for miners, artisans and officials plus housing/living out allowances for all employees and agreements on maternity and paternal leave, medical incapacity and aid benefits.