THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) today welcomed the end of the country’s five-month long platinum-mining strike.

Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union president Joseph Mathunjwa said it had accepted a wage deal and his striking members would return to work today.

The workers have accepted a settlement to increase the basic monthly salary of the lowest-paid workers by R1,000 £55.81), excluding other benefits, over three years. 

Some workers will reach a rate of R12,500 before the end of the three-year agreement and they will receive back-pay within seven days of their return to work. 

Cosatu said it was the minimum acceptable for miners working in unhealthy and dangerous conditions and pledged to continue its campaign for a statutory minimum wage.

But the congress condemned violence and intimidation during the strike and repeated its call for the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.