The South African government said on Monday that mediation team has been sent to Canada to assist in resolving a wage dispute involving South African fire-fighters who are on a strike while working in Canada.
Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, in Johannesburg said the stand-off has prompted President Jacob Zuma, to instruct her to intervene in resolving the matter.
She said hundreds of South African fire-fighters have downed tools while fighting a forest fire in Alberta, Canada to press their demand for higher pay.
Molewa said the Canadian authorities have ordered them to leave the country, but the fire fighters insist that they get their pay first.
She said she is confident that the matter can be resolved in a mutually satisfactory manner, failing which the fire fighters would be demobilised and return safely back to South Africa.
The minister expressed concern with the sentiment expressed by Alberta Governor, Rachel Notley, that remuneration for the fire-fighters should be fair and equitable.
Molewa the South African would continue to engage directly with Working on Fire (WOF), the implementing agent that dispatched the fire-fighters, and with the Canadian government on the conditions under which South African fire-fighters are deployed both now and in future.
The minister said 301 fire-fighters were deployed to the Canadian province earlier this month to assist with wildfire suppression, as part of a resource sharing agreement with Canadian fire fighting agencies.
WOF established in 2003, has received international recognition for its role in supporting conservation and sustaining ecosystems and community improvement through the provision of job opportunities and skills and training of participants.
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