Catherwood LibraryILR School

The National Union of Metalworkers in South Africa called rallies in seven cities in protest of high youth unemployment. Over 16,000 people were involved across the country just weeks before national elections. The past year has seen large economic and labor disruptions that have cost the mining industry in South Africa over $800 million in lost productivity and sales. Other unions like the Food and Allied Workers Union will not be walking off their job, but does support the protests and encourages its workers to join when they are not on the clock. Generally, the unions supporting the protests are not backing the current majority government, the African National Congress, though their degree of opposition and preferred alternatives vary greatly.