JOHANNESBURG - Management of OR Tambo International Airport has advised passengers of possible delays in reaching the airport on Wednesday due to a national strike called by the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu).
Saftu has called for the general strike in protest against the implementation of a national minimum wage of R20 per hour, or R3,500 a month, which it says is inadequate.
The labour federation is also opposing proposed amendments to labour laws.
Leigh Gunkel-Keuler, spokesperson for OR Tambo International Airport, said that while it did not anticipate flight delays, management would monitor the impact of the strike throughout the day.
“As this is a national strike, there is some potential impact on road transport. This could have an impact on the time it takes to travel to the airport," Gunkel-Keuler said.
"We would advise passengers to play it safe, to anticipate potential delays and leave earlier for the airport than they would under normal circumstances."
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In Johannesburg, witnesses trying to get to work reported blockages on some roads.
One said Tunney road in Elandsfontein had been blocked with concrete, forcing trucks to make a U-turn. Elsewhere, a small group of protesters was burning old tyres on a road, while another witness said trucks were being stoned on Barbara road near the airport.
Gunkel-Keuler said management at O.R. Tambo was planning for minimal disruption of airport operations.
"As a national key point we have contingency plans that can be activated immediately should the situation warrant such action," Gunkel-Keuler said.
Meanwhile, a strike by bus drivers affiliated to the South African Transport Workers Union (Satawu), which has crippled public transport, entered its eight-day on Wednesday as wage negotiations continued between employers and workers.