Talks held to end South African strike

High-level talks aimed at ending a 13-day strike by the South African government employees continued in Pretoria on Monday night, following an instruction from President Jacob Zuma.

The minister in charge said he wanted to end the strike on Monday night.

Shortly before 9 p.m. South Africa's Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi was still meeting with union representatives.

His spokesman Dumisani Nkwamba told the South African Pres Association (SAPA) that the parties were later expected to meet at South Africa's Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).

"The minister is still in consultation with the unions, the PSCBC has not yet started," he said, adding that Baloyi expected civil servants to get back to work following the talks.

"The minister is determined to end the strike tonight," he declared.

However, the South African government did not reveal whether it intended to table a new offer at the meeting.

South African government spokesman Themba Maseko said, "We just don't want to say anything at this stage."

The South African government said in a statement that it is committed to finding a solution that is acceptable to all the parties. "Such a solution will be tabled at the PSCBC for approval. "

On Monday morning, Zuma instructed the parties to get back around the negotiating table to find a way of ending the strike.

"The president gave a mandate to the ministers to immediately go back to the negotiating table," said his spokesman Zizi Kodwa.

He said Zuma was concerned at the effect the strike was having on poor people who relied on public services such as hospitals, and at its effect on goals set to improve the declining school leaving matriculation pass rate.

South African unions want an 8.6 percent increase and a 1,000 rands (137 U.S. dollars ) a month housing allowance. The government is offering a 7 percent increase and a 700 rands (96 dollars) allowance.

South Africa's inflation rate in July was 3.7 percent. During the strike many South Africa public hospitals and schools have been affected.

Source: Xinhua