South African police urge workers to observe law during striking season

South African police are urging workers to observe law if they decide to strike amid tensions of a season, in which labor actions for pay hikes occasionally spark clashes. Police spokesperson Elias Mawela made the appeal at a meeting on the national safety situation in Pretoria, the official Bua news agency reported on Thursday. Police are "monitoring all strike and protest actions underway in the country," Mawela said. In South Africa, September is regarded as the starting month of the strike season as a series of sectors' wage contracts come up for discussion. During the strike season, many workers and unemployment people would take to the streets to demand wage rises and decent jobs. "The total situation has been relatively calm," Mawela said. South Africa is currently experiencing the tough economic times as workers are going on strike to force employers to raise their monthly salaries, including construction, mine, auto and auto- related sectors. Mawela pointed out,"We respect the right of every person to assemble with other persons and express their views freely while enjoying the protection." "At the same time we expect such rights to be exercised peacefully and without infringing on the rights of others," said the spokesperson. Police had found sporadic incidents of intimidation and some instances of illegally possessing weapons. Some analysts warn of difficult months ahead as the strikes are spreading in the country. The South African police have finished contingency plans, capable of dealing with any eventuality across the country during the strike season.