2 September, 2010More than 50,000 workers in the auto supply industry go out on strike today in South Africa. National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) meets with employers and sets out demands.
SOUTH AFRICA: On September 1, 2010 IMF affiliate National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) began a strike in the auto supplier industry. More than 50,000 workers are out on strike.
NUMSA has met with the employers and there is another meeting on September 1 to resolve the strike. "An immediate solution is not in sight because the sector is composed of conservative employers" said the NUMSA representative.
NUMSA's demands are as follows:
- 20 per cent wage increase across the board
- 20 RAND (2,70 US$) per hour minimum for the lowest paid worker
- Night-shift allowance of 20 per cent
- Afternoon shift allowance of 15 per cent
- Reduction of working hours to 40 hours per week without loss of pay
- Sunday work to be paid at double rate
- Six weeks paid maternity leave
- Prohibition and banning of labour brokers in the industry
- Removal of wage differentials between regions
- Four weeks severance pay without ceiling during retrenchments