Striking 2010 World Cup workers march in Durban
Johannesburg (dpa) - Hundreds of striking construction workers marched through South Africa's third city of Durban Wednesday morning in protest over pay and safety conditions at the site of the local 2010 football World Cup stadium.
Over 1,000 workers have been on strike since last Wednesday to press their demands for improved project bonuses and for workers to be allowed appoint a full-time safety officer at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
In a worrying sign for FIFA the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has sought court permission for a solidarity strike at the eight other facilities being built or upgraded for the tournament.
The Durban workers are looking for 1,500 rand (221 dollars) a month per worker in project bonuses. The consortium contracted to build the stadium has replied there is "no way" it can meet their demands, the Sowetan newspaper reported.
NUM is also demanding that subcontractors at the site meet minimum wage requirements for the civil engineering sector.
The strike comes days before thousands of journalists and delegates descend on Durban for the World Cup preliminary draw on November 25.
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