GroundUp reports that about 100 workers downed tools at the Ribas Manufacturers in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Friday morning to demand a bigger wage increase. On Friday, workers told GroundUp they would continue striking until their employer increased their wage by R4 per hour rather than the R1.75 offered by the company. This follows deadlocked wage negotiations between the company and GIWUSA representatives in May.

The workers earn about R27.58 per hour (about R5,845 a month), but they say it’s not enough to cover their groceries, transport and electricity as the cost of living has risen. Workers claim they work 10 hours shifts but only get one 30-minute lunch break. Thulani Ndhlela, a shop steward and packer at the company, said workers were entitled to an increment in May, but it was not implemented due to disagreements with the union. GroundUp made several attempts to contact the company by email and telephone on Friday. The person answering the landline said the company would not be commenting on the workers’ strike.

by  Kimberly Mutandiro