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Anglo American Platinum CEO Apologizes for Comments Regarding Worker Salaries
May. 20, 2014 10:36AM PST
Precious MetalsReuters reported that Anglo American Platinum (LSE:AAL) CEO, Chris Griffiths, apologized publicly for statements that he was highly skilled while platinum mine workers were not, which justified his high salary. According to Reuters, the comments resulted in widespread backlash in the midst of the ongoing strike by platinum mine workers in South Africa.
Reuters reported that Anglo American Platinum (LSE:AAL) CEO, Chris Griffiths, apologized publicly for statements that he was highly skilled while platinum mine workers were not, which justified his high salary. According to Reuters, the comments resulted in widespread backlash in the midst of the ongoing strike by platinum mine workers in South Africa.
As quoted in the publication:
He had told the Business Day that the focus should be on affordable wages that would dent the country’s high unemployment rate, “rather than comparing salaries of educated, skilled executives with workers with few or no skills and limited education.” Griffiths earned 17.6 million rand ($1.7 million) in 2013 according to the company’s latest annual report.
Amplats CEO, Chris Griffiths, was quoted as saying in a previous statement:
My choice of words was inappropriate and a poor way to describe the extremely challenging situation we find ourselves in.