A strike was launched yesterday by members of the National Union Metals Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) seeking a 13 percent wage increase. This rate is almost three times as much as the inflation rate in the country which is 4.6 percent. Meanwhile, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA), an industry employer body, is offering a seven percent increase.
"Our initial assessment shows the strike was a complete success. We were able to bring the industry to a standstill," NUMSA deputy secretary general Karl Cloete said, adding that the strike will continue indefinitely. However, top steel producers such as ArcelorMittal South Africa stated that the strike did not impact output and that they were bargaining directly with workers.
NUMSA gave employers three days to respond.