Fewer strikes in 2014, but...

Cape Town – Despite fewer strikes in 2014 labour action lasted for longer periods, according to the Department of Labour’s latest strike report.

The report released on Thursday showed that South Africa saw 88 strike activities in 2014 compared with 114 strikes in 2013.

However, due to longer periods of strike action the number of working hours lost skyrocketed by 608.6% compared with 2013.

In 2014 the platinum mining sector was hit by a five-month wage strike led by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) which cost companies approximately R20bn in revenue and employee earning losses of around R9bn.

The union demanded an entry-level monthly salary of R12 500.

As a result, strike action led by Amcu accounted for most of the workdays lost at 92.2%.

The economic impact of strikes on the economy decreased from R6.7bn in 2013 to R6.1bn in 2014.

Wages, bonus and other compensation disputes remain the main reason for work stoppages in 2014 at 98.4% of working days lost.