Published: 29 August 2013

JOHANNESBURG - The ongoing strike by South Africa's 30 000 automobile industry workers will heavily impact on the Southern African Development Community member states who benefit from the country's business.

Among key Sadc countries benefiting from South Africa's automobile industry include neighbouring Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The week-long strike in the automotive industry is set to continue until Monday when the employer and the union - National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa - would look to agree on a deal.

In a telephone interview with CAJ News yesterday, Numsa national spokesman Castro Ngobese said his union would not be held liable for the business disruption across the entire Sadc region.

"Sadc, mainly Zimbabwe will be affected by this industrial strike, but we are not the ones to blame.

"Zimbabwe and other Sadc member states benefit a lot from our automobile industry, but there is nothing we can do to stop the industrial action until our demands have been met," Ngobese said.

He also revealed that there was a revised offer that was made on Friday arguing that Numsa would consult with the workers if it was enough to call off the strike.

"The final word on calling off the strike will be discussed on Thursday (today) . . . but there will be clarity on whether we will call it off soon," he said.

Ngobese said workers currently on strike comprise Ford Motors, Nissan Diesel, General Motors and Mercedes Benz.

Numsa members are demanding a 14 percent wage increase while the employer is offering 10 percent.

- CAJ News.

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