FACTBOX-South Africa's economy facing wage strikes

July 14 (Reuters) - Africa's biggest economy faces a wave of industrial action with South African unions demanding pay increases above inflation. Employers say they cannot afford the raises because of the tough global economic climate.

Below are details of the sectors affected:

GOLD

Workers in the gold sector rejected on Tuesday the latest offer by gold producers of a rise of 8 to 10 percent, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said.

The union, South Africa's biggest, is threatening to go on strike. It is demanding a 15 percent wage hike compared to consumer inflation of 8 percent and argues that gold prices have been close to record highs.

Three South African unions are holding talks with gold producers under the guidance of a mediator after failing to agree on wage increases.

South African gold producers including AngloGold Ashanti (ANGJ.J), Gold Fields (GFIJ.J) and Harmony (HARJ.J), negotiate as one under the country's Chamber of Mines.

PLATINUM The NUM has also rejected a 6.5 percent wage offer by Impala Platinum (IMPJ.J), the world's second largest producer of the precious metal, after demanding a wage increase of 20 percent.

The NUM now wants a mediator to resolve the dispute, and has threatened a strike that will affect platinum output and could affect prices.

Wage talks with bigger rival Anglo Platinum (AMSJ.J) are also ongoing without any strike threat yet.

CONSTRUCTION

South African construction workers are near a deal with employers to end a strike that is holding up work on stadiums for the 2010 World Cup, their union said. [ID:nLE301858]

The pay strike, which started on Wednesday, has also stopped work on the mass transit Gautrain high-speed rail project serving the area around Johannesburg.

Employers, including listed firms, failed in a bid to prevent the strike through legal action.