South African strike could hit oil refineries- union

South African energy workers plan to strike from Thursday(today) over wages, potentially affecting crude oil refineries and fuel depots, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) said yesterday.

Around 23,000 workers in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors are expected to down tools, Clement Chitja, head of collective bargaining, said.

“We want a deal of 9 percent in one year,” Chitja told Reuters, adding that employer associations were offering less and looking for multi-year agreements.

The National Petroleum Employers Association was not available to comment.

The work stoppage could further damage the economy, which is forecast by the central bank to remain stagnant this year after expanding 1.3 percent in 2015.