South Africans go on strike

Public sector workers are demanding a 12% pay rise.

Public sector workers march through the streets of Cape Town [REUTERS]

Public sector workers in South Africa are mounting the biggest strike in years.

They say they cannot survive on their salaries and are demanding a 12 per cent pay rise.

They have dismissed the governmnent’s six per cent offer.

The strike takes place while the economy in South Africa is booming.

So, are the poor paying the price?

Will the governement bow to the workers’ demands?

And, what about the standards of living of the poor in post-Apartheid South Africa?

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This episode of Inside Story aired on 5 June 2007

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