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Johannesburg, South Africa — ESI-AFRICA.COM — 20 July 2011 – The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has ended its two-week pay strike in the steel and engineering sector that has disrupted fuel supplies and threatened industrial activity in the country.

Reuters reports that the workers have accepted a 10% wage rise from the employers’ body, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA). NUMSA had initially demanded a 13% increase, while SEIFSA’s original offer was a 7% rise.

Workers are returning to work over a 48-hour period, according to NUMSA spokesperson Castro Ngobese.
On Monday employers had raised their wage offer to between 8 and 10%, depending on the employment level. This offer was rejected by the union.