Fuel strike begins, hits depots and refineries

More than 20 000 workers in South Africa’s petroleum industry have embarked on a strike over wages.

Johannesburg - More than 20 000 workers in South Africa’s petroleum industry started a strike over wages on Thursday, affecting refineries and depots and potentially leading to shortages of fuel at filling stations, a union representative said.

Read also: Strike hits SA's largest oil refinery

Members of the South African Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union want an increase of 9% and a minimum basic monthly wage of R8 000, Clement Chitja, head of collective bargaining for the group, said by phone.

Sasol, Petroliam Nasional BHD’s Engen, Chevron and Total SA are offering a 7% improvement in pay.

“Sasol has put contingency plans in place to ensure the minimum disruption,” it said in an emailed statement.

“Operations continue as planned with no impact on production.”

SAPREF, a refinery in the port city of Durban that’s co-owned by BP’s southern African unit and Royal Dutch Shell, has measures in place to “ensure continued safe operation” during the strike, it said in an emailed statement.

* With assistance from Paul Burkhardt

BLOOMBERG