The Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU) said that South African energy workers plan to strike over wages at the end of July, Reuters reported. The strike would affect the crude oil refineries and fuel depots.

Clement Chitja, head of collective bargaining,  said that around 23,000 workers in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors are expected to down tools, adding that the workers want a new wage deal of 9% in one year. The employer associations were offering less and looking for multi-year agreements.

The strike could harm the economy,  which is forecast by the central bank to remain stagnant this year after expanding 1.3% in 2015, The Maritime Executive informed.

Earlier this month, a strike in Nigeria, which came to an end a few days later,  was called over unfriendly labor practices in the petroleum industry and the delay in the passage of a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).