ANA reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said on Wednesday that its members would be meeting with management at appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, in KwaZulu-Natal, to discuss the ongoing strike at the firm.  

At least 900 workers, including non-union members, have been on strike for the last nine days over housing demands.  Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi said the union has been negotiating with the employer to try and resolve the impasse, but no progress had been made to date.  “Workers at Whirlpool have made it clear that they will not return to work until the employer agrees to provide housing as part of the wage agreement.  Their demand for housing cannot be ignored given that the majority of them cannot afford decent accommodation when they earn R43 per hour,” Hlubi said.

• Read this report in full at eNCA
• Read Numsa’s press statement in this regard at Numsa online

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