South African government workers demonstrate for higher pay

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
Associated Press

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Thousands of South African government workers have taken part in nationwide demonstrations to demand a 10% increase in their salaries. Negotiations between public sector unions and the government are currently deadlocked. The government is resolved to unilaterally implement a 3% pay hike, but that hasn’t satisfied the unions. Traffic was brought to a standstill in the capital Pretoria as workers downed tools and marched to the offices of the national treasury to submit their demands. The volatile situation in South Africa’s public service is among many challenges faced by the government, including an unemployment rate of over 30%.