In its annual report on strikes in Africa’s most advanced economy, the department found they cost the country last year 9 percent less than the R6.7 billion recorded in 2013.
The manufacturing and mining sectors were hit hardest by lengthy strikes. Mining accounts for 7 percent of GDP while manufacturing represents 14 percent.
Last year South Africa’s economy was sapped by the record five-month platinum mining strike, pushing it into a quarterly contraction while a four-week manufacturing strike further hobbled economic activity.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union led the wage strike at operations of the world’s top producers, cutting output by 44 percent and was responsible for 92 percent of the lost working days in strikes across the country.
