74
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Implats platinum mine of South Africa says its 15,000 workers are demanding another 10 percent pay hike.
This comes as Lonmin PLC platinum mine hopes its workers will report for duty Monday despite the four week illegal strike that has killed 44 people.
If the workers do not return analysts say Lonmin will have to start closing shafts.
Implats spokesman Johan Theron told The Associated Press that the company already has paid a 10 percent salary increase in April, two months earlier than agreed. He said they have just received a demand for another 10 percent raise.
Strikers closed Implats for six weeks earlier this year. The mine lost R2.8 billion ($3.5 million), fired all 17,200 workers and then selectively rehired.
South Africa holds 80 percent of global platinum reserves.
