Question NW3131 to the Minister of Employment and Labour

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23 September 2022 - NW3131

Profile picture: Kruger, Mr HC

Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What total number of strikes occurred in the labour market industry and/or sector in the past five years?

Reply:

The honourable member should be aware that the Department of Employment and Labour is responsible of collecting strike and lockouts data on regular basis. The results are published in the annual Industrial Report through the Department’s website (www.del.gov.za)

Regarding the request, our recent publication reflects the strike data trends over the past five years. We noted a decline in strike statistics from 2018 to 2021 while it increased from 2017 to 2018. Wage increase, bonus and compensation benefits are reported by employers as the main cause of strike.

By industry, our strikes analysis illustrates the community industry (that includes the government -public sector) was the most affected as compared to other industries over the past five years.

Despite the evolving COVID-2019 pandemic in 2021, almost all industries in the country except the utilities and construction industries were affected with the peaceful labour disputes. However, the preliminary strike analysis in 2022 shows the country recorded 47 strikes from January to September 2022. About 62% of the total strikes were from the community and 17% of strikes were from the manufacturing industry (The annual report will be published later in 2023).

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