South Africa to launch strike in oil, retail sector

South Africa to launch strike in oil, retail sector

A South African union representing workers in the petroleum, pharmaceutical, chemicals and consumer good sectors said on Friday that it will launch a nation-wide wage strike next week after talks failed.

The inflation rate

The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union, which represented over 70,000 workers, is seeking an 11 to 13 percent wage increase, more than double the inflation rate, for 2011/12 and a minimum wage of 6,000 rand a month.

Employers are offering a 4 to 7 percent increase, the union said.

Inflation is running at about 4 percent in the country.

Strike season

Numerous labour groups have demanded double-digit wage increases in the mid-year negotiating session known locally as "strike season", putting pressure on Africa's largest economy.

The union said the strike could affect the availability of drugs and impact fuel supplies.

It said it is open for further talks.

"We do not want to go back to the situation caused by the strike of 2007 when petrol stations ran dry and there was carnage in hospitals due to shortage of critical medications," it said.

NAN/Shakira