Over 45 000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) may embark on strike action at Gold Fields.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NUM said it had taken a certificate of non-resolution at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) which could culminate in workers across Goldfields operations going on strike.

"The dispute is over a recruitment assessment method called Functional Work Capacity (FWC).

"The system has proved to be a barrier to employment for new recruits and employees coming back from annual and maternity leave," the NUM said.

It added that the method had been implemented unilaterally and it had seen many people failing to get employment or be re-appointed at Goldfields.

Keneth Bhuda NUM mining house coordinator said the union demanded the total scrapping of the system.

"The current system is very frustrating," said Bhuda.

He called on Gold Fields to "come to the party" and meet the NUM's demand.

"We have today [Wednesday] taken a certificate that allows us to strike.

"Our door remains open for now to negotiate further on this issue," Bhuda added.

Gold Fields was not immediately available for comment.