APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) A strike by South Africa’s public sector workers entered a second day nationwide on Tuesday as the workers demanded better wages from their employers.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) said its members embarked on the strike after reaching a deadlock in their salary negotiations in the past week.
The strike has so far affected government departments such as home affairs, employment and labour and the South African Social Security Agency, the wing that sends out social grants for its poorest citizens.
One of the main targets of the industrial action, the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), was issued with notice of the national shutdown after wage negotiations were deadlocked last week.
“The PSA members at SITA commenced with lunchtime picketing on 9 October and intend to intensify the strike action in view of the employer’s reluctance to respond to their demands,” the union said.
The union warned Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele that its members “are angry and will embark on a total shutdown until their demands are met.”
“The PSA is conscious of the implications of the total shutdown, which could adversely affect network connectivity, operations in most government sectors, and service delivery,” the union said.
It urged the minister to intervene and instruct the Sita board of directors to improve the salary offer to 7.5 percent.
“The PSA remains resolute that the strike action will continue until Sita presents an acceptable offer,” the union said.
NM/jn/APA