Fin24 reports that, while sympathising with employees who have “worked very hard to help keep the lights on during the past financial year” but would not get salary increases, Eskom has pointed out that they were not allowed to participate in strikes.  

On Monday, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said they would hold a hold a one-day shutdown at Eskom on Thursday to protest against 0% salary increases.  The state-owned power utility said that, should the industrial action take place, it would activate contingency measures to ensure security of power supply.  It did not say what these measures were.  "Eskom has noted the statements made by the trade unions about their intentions to embark on an industrial action this Thursday.  Eskom has been designated as an essential service provider, and therefore our employees are reminded that they are not allowed to participate in strike actions," the utility said.

• Read this report by Jan Cronje in full at Fin24

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