In the interest of Numsa

Tue, 08 Jul 2008

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) will stage a national strike next month to protest against an expected interest rate hike, it said on Monday.

Numsa spokesperson Mziwakhe Hlangani said the union wanted the government to "unveil creative and constructive plans" to deal with rising petrol and food prices.

"It is also worrying that [the Reserve Bank] is expected to push for further interest rate increases in August, 2008, causing considerable distress on small and medium-sized businesses which create more jobs," said Hlangani.

The protest action would start with a one-day strike in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on 9 July, Mpumalanga, Free State and Northern Cape on 16 July, Gauteng, Limpopo and North West on 23 July and then culminate in a national stay away on 6 August.