Public sector unions agree pay offer

South Africa's main public sector unions have accepted a government pay offer, bringing an end to a long-running dispute that saw strikes close schools and hospitals in August and September. The deal secures for workers a 7.5% wage rise backdated to 1 July, and an 800 rand ($115; £73) housing allowance. Both major labour unions have now accepted the deal. The deal "effectively ends" the dispute, said Chris Klopper of the Independent Labour Caucus union.

However, SADTU, and Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union (Hospersa) were the only public sector unions that refused to sign the wage deal. Nkosana Dolophi, deputy secretary general of SADTU, declined to comment on why the union did not put its signature on the dotted lines. Hospersa president Godfrey Selematsela said the majority of the union's members rejected the government's offer and this was why the union did not sign the wage deal. Hospersa accounts for about 9.5 percent or government workers. (SADOCC/Business Report)