20100830
africanews

South African President Jacob Zuma has called on government ministers to negotiate without delay with public sector workers to end a pay strike by over one million workers. Zuma met with ministers over the weekend to try to end a strike which entered its third week on Monday and threatens to spread to other unions.

"The president is very much concerned and he does not think the strike must go on forever, and has instructed the ministers over the weekend they must go back to the negotiation table immediately with a view to resolve the dispute," Zuma's spokesperson Zizi Kodwa was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, adding to the pressure on Zuma’s government, the Tyre and rubber industry workers seeking a double-digit wage increases will start a fresh strike on Monday, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa said on Sunday.

Adding, foreign firms like the Bridgestone Corp, Dunlop and Continental would be hit resulting in South Africa’s dependable one percent of global tyre production, according to government figures.

Thousands of armed forces unionised members are also thinking of striking.

Following this plight, COSATU Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi who is an influential South African labour leader has threatened to withdraw support for President Jacob Zuma's African National Congress at a rally saying, "We will not make a mistake again of voting into power our worst political butchers,"

COSATU helped Zuma win the presidency and its support is essential if he wants to seek re-election. Vavi last week said the alliance with the ANC forged in the struggle to end apartheid was on the verge of rupture.

An expanded strike would add to worries about prospects for growth after the economy slowed more than expected in the second quarter of 2010 as mining contracted and manufacturing expanded at a slower pace.

The government has said it cannot afford the state workers' demand of an 8.6 percent wage rise, more than double the inflation rate, and 1,000 rand ($135.8) a month as a housing allowance. It has offered 7 percent and 700 rand.

Any agreement to end the dispute is likely to swell state spending by about 1 to 2 percent, forcing the government to find new funds just as it tries to bring down a deficit totalling 6.7 percent of gross domestic product.