Walkout possible at De Beers S. African mines

De Beers is anticipating a strike of its workers in the South African region, following a wage dispute recently. The workers union - National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) had demanded that the company increase the wages by 13.5 percent for 2008, instead of the company’s proposed 11 percent.

The NUM said that the workers would stage a walkout on July 24 to communicate their protest against De Beers’ failure to resolve the dispute.

De Beers currently employs 3,400 workers who are members of the NUM, the country’s biggest mineworkers’ union. The company is fearing mining and other operations coming to a standstill if the workers stage a protest.