LONDON-- Anglo American Platinum Ltd., Lonmin PLC and Impala
Platinum Holdings Ltd. said Friday they have been unable to reach a
resolution to settle the three months of strikes across South
Africa over wages and benefits, despite putting a new offer on the
table.
The offer tabled by South Africa's three biggest platinum
producers on April 17 will see the highest paid employees getting
an increase of 7.5%, with the lowest paid Lonmin employees getting
9.5%, and the lowest paid at Anglo American Platinum and Impala
getting 10% rises.
Allowances, such as the living out allowance, will rise in line
with inflation, the companies said in a joint statement. Allowances
that are determined by an existing formula, such as the holiday
leave allowance, will continue to apply, they added.
The companies said they remain committed to dealing with
long-term issues of mutual concern, such as labor migrancy and
living conditions, through company-level joint task teams.
The offer follows the recent meetings between the producers and
representatives of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction
Union, in a process facilitated by the Minister of Labour.
To date, the strike has cost employees some 6.4 billion South
African Rand ($608.93 million) in lost income and the producers
around ZAR14.5 billion in lost revenue.
Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com
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