Pretoria - The current public service strike could impede the country's recovery from the economic downturn, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has warned.
Today the industrial action by members of the Public Service Association (PSA) will enter its second day. The public servants downed tools after rejecting government's offer of a 6.5 percent wage increase across the board and an increase in the housing allowance from R500 to R620.
The PSA could also be joined by Cosatu and the Independent Labour Caucus which represents around 1.3 million public servants. Government and the unions reached deadlock in June after the parties failed to reach an agreement on salary increases. However, the parties agreed to postpone any strike action until after the World Cup.
SACCI said it was gravely concerned at the impact the protest action will have on South Africa following the successful hosting of the World Cup tournament in June and July.
"The far reaching consequences of mass protest action by these persons, as well as the impact on the operations of government departments, ports of entry, hospitals and traffic officers will impede South Africa's hesitant recovery from the recent economic downturn.
"It will also jeopardise the country's ability to generate a positive impression of South Africa as a desirable country with which to trade and in which to invest," said the chamber.
SACCI appealed to the Public Service Commission and labour to negotiate in good faith and to reach agreement in the shortest possible time.
