Although South Africa experienced fewer strike incidents in 2014, with 88 work stoppages recorded in the year, compared with 114 in 2013, the strikes lasted longer, resulting in more lost work days and hours, the Department of Labour’s 2014 Industrial Action Report reveals.

Of the 88 strikes, 48% were unprotected, compared with 52% in 2013.

The report showed that R6.1-billion in wages had been lost as a result of strike action in 2014, compared with R6.7-billion in wages lost in 2013.

By industry, most strikes occurred in the community, social and personal services industry, followed by the manufacturing industry, as a result of wages, bonuses and other compensation disputes.

More working hours were lost in 2014 than in 2013, with work days lost having increased by 455.6% from 1.84-million in 2013 to 10.2-million in 2014, owing to the duration of strikes in the mining industry.

By province, North West, at 46.3%, and Limpopo, at 37.4%, were most affected by the strikes.