More than 1 million workers are planning a countrywide strike in South Africa on Wednesday, according to an official with a public sector union.
Nomusa Cembi, of the South African Democratic Teachers Union -- an affiliate of Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) -- said hospital, education and civil servants demanded better compensation and benefits from their government.
"We are trying to bring them to their knees," Cembi told CNN by phone from Johannesburg, referring to the South African government. "We took a decision yesterday that we would go on strike indefinitely until our employer gives us a better offer."
She said the strike was intended to raise wages to 8.6 percent and that they wanted a 1,000 Rand ($138) per month housing allowance. They also want those improvements to be backdated to April 1 of this year. Perhaps the recent World Cup season failed to stimulate South Africa's economy.
Cembi said medical benefits were also part of the negotiating standoff.
The last offer by the South African government, according to Cembi, came last week when a 7 percent wage hike was proffered, along with a 700 Rand a month housing allowance.
"Our organization has rejected their offer," Cembi said.
It was unclear how long the strike might continue.
Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Last week public sector workers went on strike across South Africa, closing schools, impacting hospital staffing and wreaking havoc across a wide array of public services.
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