Mass Strike affects Construction of Stadiums for 2010 Soccer World Cup

Trade unionists in South Africa are holding a one-day strike in protest against the high cost of living.

If the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) mobilises its two million members, it will be the biggest strike in the post-apartheid era.

The walkout is expected to affect the education, municipal and mining sectors in all of the country's nine provinces.

There is particular concern about job cuts in the mining sector, where output and earnings have been slashed.

Workers are due to hold rallies across the country to protest against the cost of electricity, petrol and staples such as milk and bread, and to express anger at a series of interest rate rises meant to curb inflation.

Government 'failure'

Cosatu, an ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC), says the strike will be a warning to employers who may want to sack workers because of a downturn in profits due to a power-supply crisis.

A five-day power cut in January and the rationing of electricity to mines cut output and earnings.

"We are adamant that workers should not be asked to pay for government's failure to invest in electricity," Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said.

Mines, refineries, car makers, textile factories, businesses and the construction of stadiums meant for the 2010 Soccer World Cup could stop for the day, while workers and students are likely to stay at home if public transport is disrupted.

Cosatu has urged the government to subsidise essential commodities and demands higher wages for workers.