South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has declared a wage dispute with diamond giant De Beers.

The dispute, which may see the NUM going on strike at De Beers diamond mines, is over a demand for a 15% wage increment, a 5% increase in shift allowance and a 5% increment on Continuous Operations. De Beers has so far offered an 8% increment which the NUM has rejected outright, explains the NUM. The dispute has now been referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

“The time has now arrived for us to tackle De Beers. I don’t see how we cant give them a strike action this time around,” explains Peter Bailey, the NUM‘s Chief Negotiator opposite the diamond company.

“The CCMA is a red sign for them, they either heed the call or we bring them down on their knees in a few weeks time” says Bailey.

The NUM is calling on companies it is negotiating with to approach this year‘s negotiations in good faith since the cost of living has tripled due to the high cost of electricity.