EWN reports that the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has warned that if bus companies agree to wage increases they cannot afford, the costs will ultimately have to be carried by commuters.  

Thousands of strikers in the road passenger transport sector are demanding double digit salary increases.  The Chamber's CEO Alan Mukoki said if the companies could not find the savings to pay for the increases, it would have a ripple effect.  “That cost is going to be carried by the passengers, and therefore those passengers will have less disposable income.  So if someone was going to buy a burger, they can no longer buy that burger, so the people who sell burgers are also affected by the increase that was taken by the employees who happen to be bus drivers.”  Meanwhile, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Janine Myburgh says the strike comes amid other costly happenings such as the three public holidays in April, protests and credit downgrades.  In her view, the combined effect will be disastrous.

• Read this report by Ilze-Marie Le Roux at EWN

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