Gov't workers down tools in SAfrica

July 28, 2009 01:53:10 PM

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Thousands of municipal workers went on strike Monday across South Africa to demand higher wages, adding to pressure on President Jacob Zuma's government after a wave of protests.

Thousands marched countrywide with 27 arrests reported as police fired rubber bullets to break up protests in two towns during a national downing of tools called by unions representing more than 150,000 workers

"It's a wage dispute. We've been negotiating since May and deadlock has been reached," said Dale Forbes, negotiator for the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). "It will continue until a settlement is reached."

Workers want a 15 percent increase, after inflation last year soared to a high of 13.7 percent, with food and fuel prices especially high. Inflation has since eased to 8.0 percent, but workers say they are still falling behind.

In Johannesburg, some 10,000 workers in red shirts belonging to SAMWU marched through the city and chanted, "Bring my money," before delivering a memorandum to the mayor's office.

Buses, clinics, traffic offices and city parks and libraries were shut down by the strike with disgruntled marchers dumping trash in streets in several cities.

The workers have been offered a 11.5 percent increase, with an additional 1.5 percent in 2010. The union has described the offer as insulting, given the current economic conditions.

"We may consider an offer above 13 percent, anything below that is unacceptable," SAMWU spokesman Vincent Vena told AFP.

SAMWU is also demanding a housing allowance of 300,000 rand (38,664 dollars, 27,065 euros) for all employees to help them buy homes, and an allowance of 3,000 rand a month for renters.

Marches in main centres were largely reported as peaceful and cities have insisted that essential services like refuse collection and emergency response would not be affected.

But in Polokwane, 25 protesters were arrested for public violence, damage to property and illegally marching by police who were stoned when trying to disperse the crowd. Three marchers were injured, police told AFP.

In Plettenberg Bay, police also used rubber bullets on marchers who were throwing rubbish at motorists and arrested two for public violence, the SAPA news agency reported. Eight marchers and four police officers were injured.

South Africa often sees strikes during the southern hemisphere winter, as many contracts come up for renewal mid-year. Doctors and construction workers at 2010 World Cup stadiums have already staged strikes over the last two months.

The latest stoppages comes after the country was hit by violent protests last week over lax public services from local government, which in most parts of the country is dominated by the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Zuma led the ANC to a thumping victory in April elections, promising to tackle enduring poverty 15 years after the end of apartheid. About 43 percent of South Africans live on less than two dollars a day.

"Elections create expectations that there will be new efforts to improve the quality of local governments," said Dirk Kotze, an analyst at the University of South Africa.

The ANC has condemned the unruly strikers, saying violence cannot resolve wage disputes.

Zuma took office in May as South Africa's economy went into its first recession since apartheid. The country's workforce faces an official 23.5 percent unemployment rate which is believed to be much higher.