De Beers and NUM to sign wage deal
Thursday, June 03, 2010
The wage deal includes, among other agreements, a 10 percent wage increment and an 8% shift allowance.Initially, workers demanded a 15 percent wage increase, while the diamond company was offering an 8 percent hike in wages.
"This is an important offer and achievement for workers given that we have already achieved the R5 000 minimum at De Beers," said NUM chief negotiator, Peter Bailey.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...