Construction workers demand 13% wage hike

Johannesburg - NUM members in the construction sector downed tools on Monday, demanding a 13% wage increase, the union said.

Spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said about 90 000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers did not report for work after negotiations with employers reached an impasse.

He said because of the impasse members resorted to an indefinite nation-wide strike.

"We want a 13% wage increase for this year [2013] and a 14% increase for 2014, but the employer offered way below that," Seshoka said.

Employers tabled a 6% wage increase for 2013 and an inflation-linked increase for the next year.

"The ball is now in the employers' court to come back to us with a revised offer," he said.

Employers could not be reached for comment.