CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Output at luxurious carmaker BMW’s predominant car meeting plant in South Africa has been hit by a wage strike within the engineering sector by the nation’s largest metalworkers union, an organization spokesperson mentioned on Monday.

“Whereas our associates have been reporting for work, we have now misplaced manufacturing for the reason that strike commenced … as quite a few suppliers to the plant have been affected,” Hailey Philander informed Reuters.

She mentioned manufacturing of round 700 autos was misplaced, however gave no additional particulars.

The Nationwide Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) launched the strike final Tuesday after pay talks with employer our bodies reached a impasse, elevating fears the motion would spill over and block provides of components to make new automobiles.

BMW’s plant is at Rosslyn, round 60 kilometres from the business metropolis of Johannesburg.

On Friday, NUMSA mentioned its members have been contemplating a brand new proposal to finish the strike. On Monday, the union was nonetheless collating suggestions earlier than making a choice.

NUMSA, with round 155,000 members organised within the sector, needs an 8% across-the-board wage hike within the first yr, and inflation plus 2% for the second and third years.

Business physique Metal and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) had initially provided 4.4% for 2021, inflation plus 0.5% in 2022 and inflation plus 1% within the third yr.

“It’s regarding for the entire autos manufacturing sector that the strike within the metals and engineering house has continued until now, however we all know that negotiations to resolve are superior and we hope a breakthrough is imminent,” mentioned Renai Moothilal, government director on the Nationwide Affiliation of Automotive Part and Allied Producers (NAACAM).

Spokespeople at Ford, Volkswagen (DE:) and Toyota mentioned that they had not been affected by the strike to date.