South Africa's Solidarity trade union Wednesday said it is calling for coal producers to pay an above-inflation 15% wage increase for its members.

The union put its request to the Chamber of Mines, which negotiates on behalf of companies including Anglo American PLC (AAUK), BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and Exxaro Resources Ltd. (EXX.JO).

"Workers cannot receive a CPI [consumer price inflation] increase, but they have to be remunerated for their living costs," said Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans, adding food inflation was close to 15% and medical and education cost inflation is above 10%.

Official consumer price inflation stood at 8.5% on the year in March, according to data released by Statistics South Africa.

Solidarity said it also is calling for workers to receive a 14th monthly wage check equal to their basic monthly salary on the anniversary of their appointment, standby and mobile phone allowances for shift bosses and foremen and other benefits.

-By Robb M. Stewart, Dow Jones Newswires; +27 11 783 7848; robb.stewart@dowjones.com