May 7 (Reuters) -
Workers at all eight of Wilmar International's WLIL.SI sugar mills in Australia are planning work stoppages on Thursday and Monday over demands for higher pay, the Singapore-listed company said.
Its Australian unit, Wilmar Sugar Pty Ltd, will apply to the Fair Work Commission, a workplace tribunal, to assist in stopping the strike action, the company told Reuters on Tuesday.
The employees are seeking wage increases equivalent to 28% over three years, Wilmar Sugar said.
Each sugar mill operates heavily during the crushing season, which typically runs from June to November. While it's not clear how many people are involved in the strike action, during the crushing season, Wilmar Sugar's factories employ about 2,000 people, according to the company's website.
Wilmar Sugar has made three offers for wage increases so far, all of which have been rejected. The most recent one made in March this year was for a 13.75% increase in wages over four years, the company said.
"Wilmar's preferred position has always been to reach a mutually acceptable outcome that is fair....the company is taking all steps possible to avoid delay or disruption to the annual production season due to commence in June," it said.
The Australian Workers Union did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
