The South African National Union of Mineworkers' has asked for pay raises of up to 60%. Tensions in the mining industry last year led to dozens of deaths and lost profits for the companies. NUM faces a challenge from another mining union, which has organized tens of thousands of their members in platinum mines in recent months. The union has asked for high salary increases for entry-level workers, and lower increases for experienced and skilled workers.
See "South African wage demands send rand to four year low", Ed Stoddard, Reuters, May 20, 2013