Thousands of public sector workers are expected to join one of the biggest strikes in South Africa's history on Wednesday.
Thousands of public sector workers have joined one of the biggest strikes in South Africa's history.
Public sector trade unions have warned of a total economic shutdown.
Public sector trade unions have warned of a total economic shutdown - most schools and hospitals have already been closed for 13 days over pay demands.
Most of the country's schools and hospitals are already closed due to an ongoing strike over public sector pay.
President Thabo Mbeki has called for an end to intimidation by some strikers.
Negotiations between the unions and the government are in deadlock and hundreds of striking health workers have been sacked by the government.
Negotiations between the unions and the government are in deadlock and hundreds of striking health workers have been sacked by the government.
The unions say their activities will peak on Wednesday and have urged other workers to join them in a one-day "solidarity" strike.
The unions say their activities are intended to peak on Wednesday and have urged other workers to join them in a one-day "solidarity" strike.
"It's going to be a total shutdown tomorrow [Wednesday] in public services and the economy. It's going be a massive strike involving marches in major cities and pickets outside government buildings," said Willy Madisha, president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) labour federation.
"It's going to be a total shutdown... in public services and the economy. It's going be a massive strike involving marches in major cities and pickets outside government buildings," said Willy Madisha, president of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) labour federation.
Cosatu has predicted as many as two-million people could stay away from work.
Cosatu has predicted as many as two million people could stay away from work.
The unions, which called the strike 12 days ago, have refused the government's revised offer of a 7.25% pay rise.
The unions, which called the strike 13 days ago, have refused the government's revised offer of a 7.25% pay rise.
Workers, who had wanted a 12% increase, say they will not go below 10%.
Workers, who had wanted a 12% increase, say they will not go below 10%.
Health workers sacked
Health workers sacked
More than 600 striking public health workers have been sent letters of dismissal, the public services minister has told the BBC.
More than 600 striking public health workers have been sent letters of dismissal, the public services minister has told the BBC.
"Our recognition of the right to strike... does not cover essential service workers," Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said.
"Our recognition of the right to strike... does not cover essential service workers," Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said.
Ms Fraser-Moleketi said that under the South African constitution, workers in essential services did not have the right to strike and 638 dismissal letters had been sent out on Monday.
Ms Fraser-Moleketi said that under the South African constitution, workers in essential services did not have the right to strike and 638 dismissal letters had been sent out on Monday.
The military has been helping out in South African hospitals
The military has been helping out in South African hospitals
"For those protected workers who have been on strike, we are deducting salaries in line with the 'no work no pay'," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"For those protected workers who have been on strike, we are deducting salaries in line with the 'no work no pay'," she told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
She said the negotiations were continuing and she was hopeful they could bring the public sector pay dispute to an end.
She said the negotiations were continuing and she was hopeful they could bring the public sector pay dispute to an end.
"I would say that real negotiations have only taken place since about Friday of last week," she said.
"I would say that real negotiations have only taken place since about Friday of last week," she said.
"As is we've already increased our original offer by 44%."
"As is we've already increased our original offer by 44%."
The unions have said the industrial action will not end until all threats are withdrawn.
The unions have said the industrial action will not end until all threats are withdrawn.
Cosatu is officially a partner in government but it has criticised the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for not doing enough to raise living standards of the poor.
Cosatu is officially a partner in government but it has criticised the ruling African National Congress (ANC) for not doing enough to raise living standards of the poor.
The ANC is due to choose a new leader later in the year to succeed President Thabo Mbeki.
The ANC is due to choose a new leader later in the year to succeed President Thabo Mbeki.
On Friday, troops were deployed outside schools and hospitals to help the police stop clashes between strikers and those who wanted to work, as the strike entered its second week.
On Friday, troops were deployed outside schools and hospitals to help the police stop clashes between strikers and those who wanted to work, as the strike entered its second week.
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