Public sector workers continue their strike

Approximately 1.3 million public sector workers continued their indefinite strike for a second consecutive day on 19 August 2010. Violence was reported as striking workers blockaded two hospitals in Johannesburg in an effort to intimidate colleagues into joining the labor action. Meanwhile, striking teachers who were attempting to blockade a Johannesburg highway threw rocks and bricks at police officers. Anti-riot police officers fired rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse the crowds, causing minor injuries. The South African National Defense Force (SANDF) has deployed medics to hospitals in areas that have been the most affected by the strike in order to ensure continuing medical care. The workers are demanding an 8.6 percent pay raise and a 1,000-rand housing allowance, but the government has stated that it cannot afford the demands and will unilaterally implement a 7 percent raise and 700-rand allowance within three weeks if the unions fail to agree to the proposal.