Trade unionists in South Africa are holding a one-day strike in protest against the high cost of living.
Trade unionists in South Africa are holding a one-day strike which organisers hope will be one of the largest in the post-apartheid era.
If the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) mobilises its two million members, it will be the biggest strike in the post-apartheid era.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is mobilising its two million members to protest against the high cost of living.
The walkout is expected to affect the education, municipal and mining sectors in all of the country's nine provinces.
Several companies said early on Wednesday that the strike would shut down all or some of their production.
The strike is likely to hit education, municipal and mining sectors.
Unionists are mobilising in all of South Africa's nine provinces.
There is particular concern about job cuts in the mining sector, where output and earnings have been slashed.
There is particular concern about job cuts in the mining sector, where output and earnings have been slashed.
Workers are due to hold rallies across the country to protest against the cost of electricity, petrol and staples such as milk and bread, and to express anger at a series of interest rate rises meant to curb inflation.
Mining company Anglogold Ashanti said on Wednesday that the strike would shut down all of its mines for the day.
Government 'failure'
Anglo Platinum - the world's top producer of the precious metal - said some of its mines and a smelter had been affected, Reuters news agency reported.
Cosatu, an ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC), says the strike will be a warning to employers who may want to sack workers because of a downturn in profits due to a power-supply crisis.
Price fixing
Workers are due to hold rallies across the country to protest against the costs of electricity, petrol and staples such as milk and bread, and to express anger at a series of interest rate rises meant to curb inflation.
Cosatu, an ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC), says the strike will be a warning to employers who may want to sack workers because of a downturn in profits due to a power supply crisis.
A five-day power cut in January and the rationing of electricity to mines cut output and earnings.
A five-day power cut in January and the rationing of electricity to mines cut output and earnings.
"We are adamant that workers should not be asked to pay for government's failure to invest in electricity," Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said.
"We hope to also send a strong message to the government that, as the working people in this country, we are not going to be taking on the burden when it comes to financing power," National Union of Mineworkers spokesman Lesiba Seshoka told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Mines, refineries, car makers, textile factories, businesses and the construction of stadiums meant for the 2010 Soccer World Cup could stop for the day, while workers and students are likely to stay at home if public transport is disrupted.
He also said the union hoped that South Africa's government would punish companies that fix prices would be given "very serious fines".
Cosatu has urged the government to subsidise essential commodities and demands higher wages for workers.
Cosatu has urged the government to subsidise essential commodities and demands higher wages for workers.
Among the businesses that could face stoppages are car makers, textile factories, and the construction of stadiums meant for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Workers and students are expected to stay at home if public transport is disrupted.
Are you in South Africa? Will you strike if the union calls for it? Why will you strike? Send your comments using the form below.
Are you in South Africa? Will you strike if the union calls for it? Why will you strike? Send your comments using the form below.
