About 2000 workers at the Nkomati mine near Machadodorp, Mpumalanga, went on strike on Monday morning, said the National Union of Mineworkers.
“The workers want the mine, which is owned by African Rainbow Minerals, to close the gap between the Africans and their white counterparts at the mine,” said national spokesman Lesiba Seshoka.
“The African employees in the higher categories are earning less than their white counterparts.”
Workers, who also wanted their shift allowance increased from four percent to seven percent, were protesting outside the nickel mine.
There were no negotiations with Nkomati at the moment, Seshoka said.
“We'll protest outside the mine today and action will follow tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said.
African Rainbow Minerals spokeswoman Jongisa Klaas said the mine was trying to resolve the strike.
“We are aware of the dispute around wage negotiations and we are continuing to try to resolve the issue,” she said. - Sapa