About 70,000 oil refinery workers, along with workers in related industries joined in a strike.
The protesters called for wage increases of 11 to 13 percent, six month paid maternity leave, and a 40-hour work week. Currently their work week runs up towards 42 hours per week and employers are offering about a 4 to 7 percent wage increase. Most of the workers are under the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU).
A union spokesman states that the strike is “clearly going to have a major impact on the supply of fuel.” Sapref, the country’s largest crude oil refinery, does not anticipate the need to shut down.
As inflation in South Africa reached 4.6% in May, it seems as though the United States is not the only country going through economically difficult times. Hopefully, an agreement can be reached that will satisfy both sides and lead to better living standard for the employees.
Source & Photo: Rawstory.com
