The strike by municipal workers is costing the country in the region of R15-million a day, an economist said on Tuesday.
"The problem is, it's very difficult to work out [the cost]. I can't work out the damage of all the shops and the traders. It's a hassle factor.
"But the cost is around R15-million a day in workers' wages, I guess," economist Mike Schussler told Sapa.
He said the longer the strike continues, the more the cost escalates.
"By the second week it becomes a huge problem, because then a person pays out of his own pocket to remove his rubbish.
"All these factors have to be considered, so R15-million is a little simplistic but it's the best we can do at the moment," said Schussler.
Figures on the number of municipal workers arriving for work are also different.
Overwhelming, underwhelming
The unions claim "overwhelming" support, saying more than 150 000 out of a workforce of 190 000 did not show up work.
But the employer, the SA Local Government Association (Salga), says only 40 percent of workers participated in the stay away.
A strike by members of the SA Municipal Workers' Union and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union entered its second day on Tuesday.
Thousands of workers took to the streets on Monday to press for better wages, harassing hawkers and emptying rubbish bins.
Unions are demanding a 15 percent increase and Salga has tabled a new offer of 13 percent.
Sapa
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Can Zuma walk his talk?
By Haru Mutasa, Al Jazeera's South Africa correspondent
South Africa has been rocked by violent protests in recent weeks, with last week being perhaps the most violent since the inauguration of Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president, in May.
Police fired rubber bullets and teargas at protestors in the poor township areas who hurled stones at them.
Violent riots and threats of a fresh wave of crippling labour strikes may force Zuma to deliver quickly on election promises which include job creation and houses for millions of the poor.
But these socialist interventions by the government could scare away investors in Africa's biggest economy who want the current economic policy in South Africa to stay the way it is.
On the other end of the scale, the trade unions who helped put Zuma in power want left leaning economic policies.
Worrying reminder
While politicians try to find a middle ground, the battle over policies is being played out in the overcrowded townships where there is often no running water, electricity or adequate accommodation.
The people want their lives to improve and want the government to look after their needs before those of big business.
The recent township violence is reminiscent of the unrest witnessed during the apartheid years and the threats against foreigners are a worrying reminder of last year's xenophobic attacks.
In 2008, protests erupted across South Africa. They began as demonstrations over the government's failure to improve the plight of the poorest of the poor, but soon foreigners were being attacked in their shack settlements.
An estimated 70 people were murdered by the time the violence ended several weeks later.
South Africa has been rocked by violent protests in recent weeks, with last week being perhaps the most violent since the inauguration of Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president, in May.
Police fired rubber bullets and teargas at protestors in the poor township areas who hurled stones at them.
Violent riots and threats of a fresh wave of crippling labour strikes may force Zuma to deliver quickly on election promises which include job creation and houses for millions of the poor.
But these socialist interventions by the government could scare away investors in Africa's biggest economy who want the current economic policy in South Africa to stay the way it is.
On the other end of the scale, the trade unions who helped put Zuma in power want left leaning economic policies.
Worrying reminder
While politicians try to find a middle ground, the battle over policies is being played out in the overcrowded townships where there is often no running water, electricity or adequate accommodation.
The people want their lives to improve and want the government to look after their needs before those of big business.
The recent township violence is reminiscent of the unrest witnessed during the apartheid years and the threats against foreigners are a worrying reminder of last year's xenophobic attacks.
In 2008, protests erupted across South Africa. They began as demonstrations over the government's failure to improve the plight of the poorest of the poor, but soon foreigners were being attacked in their shack settlements.
An estimated 70 people were murdered by the time the violence ended several weeks later.
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