At least four of South Africa's major petroleum companies say the strike at refineries will not affect their fuel supplies and there are contingency plans in place should the industrial action continue indefinitely.
Thousands of workers affiliated to trade union, the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union (Ceppwawu), have downed tools – demanding a 9 percent salary increase, while the National Petrol Employers Association is offering 6.5 percent.
There were concerns that filling stations would run dry, with motorists urged to fill up their tanks but BP, Shell Total and Sasol all say, for now, that’s not the case.
Total’s Qetella Zeka says their employees are not affiliated to Ceppwawu.
“We do acknowledge that due to picketing, or high demand, there could be a delay in being able to supply.”
While Sasol’s Alex Anderson says, “We have Supply Chain channels in place to ensure that our sites remain kept.”
The National Petrol Employers Association declined to comment.
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