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Bus strike continues, stranding thousands of commuters in S. Africa

Xinhua, April 13, 2017 Adjust font size:

A nationwide bus strike continued on Thursday, frustrating thousands of commuters who are stranded on the eve of the Easter holiday.

Thousands of bus drivers have gone on strike to protest against the dehumanizing conditions faced by employees in the bus passenger sector.

The services of Golden Arrow and MyCiti in Cape Town, Rea Vaya in Johannesburg, Gautrain buses and Putco in Gauteng Province, as well as some long-distance bus services have all been suspended because of the strike action.

In Cape Town alone, 220,000 Golden Arrow passengers were affected, according to the company.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), which organized the strike, vowed on Thursday to continue the strike indefinitely until its demand for a 12-percent wage increases is met.

The union has rejected the latest wage offer of 7.5 percent increase by employers in the bus passenger sector.

Talks with employers broken down on Wednesday, leaving the striking workers with no choice but to continue their strike action, NUMSA acting national spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi said.

"We were hoping that the employer would engage meaningfully with our demands and put a fair offer on the table, but that wasn't the case," he said.

It is clear that the employers do not care about resolving the strike, neither do they care about the welfare of the workers, or the public at large, Hlubi said.

"We call on all workers to unite behind this just cause for equality and dignity. We will not return to work until the employer starts to treat our members like human beings, instead of slave labor," said Hlubi.

Easter is one of the most important holidays in South Africa. From Friday to Monday, thousands of pilgrims and holiday makers will be travelling to attend church service and travelling to different holiday destinations. Endit