WAGE TALKS
Footwear workers the latest to join ranks of strikers
As the country’s strike season intensifies, footwear workers became the latest sector on Wednesday to down tools over wage offers. According to the South African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu), 10,000 workers took part in the strike on its first day. Workers are striking over the sector employers’ final wage offer of 6.25%. It was rejected by unions, which have tabled a 9.5% demand. Affected companies include Oudtshoorn Footwear, Dick Whittington Shoes and Bresan Footwear, based in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Employment Members of the National Union of Leather & Allied Workers are also taking part in the action. A 2018 report into the South African footwear industry showed it was worth R54.9bn. Data compiled by the South African Footwear and Leather Industries Association shows that 193 footwear manufacturers employed a total 11,937 people. SA’s demand for footwear is said to be 248-million pairs, of which imports accounted for 181.1-million pairs, with China s...
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