The year 2014 brought the longest strike ever seen among platinum miners in South Africa. It affected 70 000 miners out of 200 000 people employed in the industry. Some of these miners were migrant workers from neighbouring countries, which had expanded the country’s labour force. The strike cost the world’s three largest platinum producing firms US$1.4 billion and cut South Africa’s platinum exports.
(a)[2]
Identify two reasons why workers take strike action.
(b)[4]
Explain two disadvantages of lower export revenue for a country.
(c)[6]
Analyse how lower revenue for a firm might affect spending on capital goods.
(d)[8]
Discuss whether a larger labour force will raise income per head in a country.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 20-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “To secure higher wages / oppose pay cuts” …