ANA reports that members of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) have downed tools at Mpact Plastics in Pinetown in Durban in protest against unequal wages and employee benefits.  

Mpact is a major supplier of plastic containers and manufacturer of Jumbo Bins, wheeled bins, and a variety of other crates, trays and related packaging items.  Numsa said that at least 140 Mpact contract workers were on strike for equal pay and benefits enjoyed by permanent workers.  On Wednesday, permanent employees also joined the strike in solidarity with their fellow workers.  Numsa's KwaZulu-Natal regional secretary, Mbuso Ngubane, said contract staff must be paid R40 per hour, just like the permanent staff, as they currently earned half of that.  He also said contract staff must receive benefits such as membership of a provident fund and a medical aid, already afforded to permanent employees

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