Mining agreement on wages and working conditions is signed

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The Chamber of Mines and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) signed an agreement on wages and working conditions, averting the likelihood of damaging strikes in the coal and gold mining industries. The agreement provided for wage increases of 5-13 per cent, depending on local conditions. Most miners would received increases of around 9 per cent. NUM had originally demanded an average 25 per cent increase, but accepted less after the Chamber of Mines made concessions with regard to restructuring miners' provident funds and training. Under the agreement, parity between White and Black workers on training, retirement and death benefits would be established, but gradually.

How we know this

01Keesing's Records of World Events, News Digest for September 1996, p 41255
02South African Press Association (2013), 'Miners to hand memo to Exxaro', in the Business Report, 13 July, [online], Availabe at www.iol.co.za [Accessed: 10 September 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Mining agreement on wages and working conditions is signed. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013287

South African History Online (2011) 'Mining agreement on wages and working conditions is signed', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013287 (Accessed: 31 October 2026).

South African History Online, Mining agreement on wages and working conditions is signed [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013287, (accessed 31 October 2026).

"Mining agreement on wages and working conditions is signed." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013287. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Mining agreement on wages and working conditions is signed." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013287.