Auto supplier workers on strike in South Africa

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