Pretoria – South Africa experienced fewer strikes in 2014 compared to the previous years, according to the Department of Labour’s Industrial Action report for 2014.
“The Department of Labour’s strike report shows that the year 2014 saw fewer strikes that lasted for long periods, resulting in more days and hours lost although with fewer (118 566) employees involved.
“In 2014 about 88 strike activities were recorded with more working days lost (10 264 775) while in 2013, strike records were at 114 with 1 847 006 working days lost from labour unrest,” said the report which was released on Thursday.
Out of the 88 strikes recorded, 48 percent of those were unprotected and 52 percent were protected strikes.
According to the report, 2013 also saw fewer strikes compared to 2012. Of the 114 strikes recorded in 2013, 48 percent of those strikes were protected and 52 percent were unprotected.
Wages, bonus and other compensation disputes remained the main reason for work stoppages in 2014 and more working days were lost in the same year compared to 2013, noted the report.
Most of the strikes in 2014 occurred in the community sector, social and personal services.
With regards to the impact caused by the strikes on the economy in 2014, about R6.1 billion in wages were lost due to the strikes. In 2013, about R6.7 billion was lost.
The North West and Limpopo provinces were the only two provinces which were affected with regard to wages lost due to strikes.
In terms of the strike duration in 2014, the average strike lasted for 16-20 days unlike in 2013 where most strikes lasted 1-5 days on average.
Out of the 88 strikes, most strikes were strikes in companies at only 50 percent and lock-outs amounting to 29.5 percent.
“The industrial action that were experienced in the country in 2014 took place in the context of the difficult economic climate both at global and national levels and this impacted negatively on the poor working people.
“The income of the working people was under pressure as it suffered under the cost of inflation. Thus, the government has put in place a number of interventions, amongst them the debate regarding the introduction of the national minimum wage as one of the measures to reduce wage inequality,” said the report.
It should be noted, though, that the economic growth prospect still looks weak as the outlook for 2015 is just 2% down from 2.5% indicated in October 2014.
“High prices of electricity, petrol and the high cost of living all contribute to the demand of higher salary increases. Therefore, the conditions for continuation of the prolonged industrial action might still persist,” said the report.
The strike statistical information is compiled to respond to the need of a variety of individuals with an interest in South Africa’s industrial relations environment, including government departments, unions, employers, business, and international organisations, among others. – SAnews.gov.za
