Government has urged unions and Transnet to find a solution to a wage dispute that has crippled operations at major ports around the country.
Wage talks resumed at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday after the parties could not find consensus on Monday.
A joint statement issued by the Departments of Trade and Industry, Labour and Agriculture expressed concern about the " negative impact" on the economy and the sectors that relied on Transnet for logistical services.
"We need to remind all that if we are able to, as soon as possible, resume exports of agricultural products, mineral resources, and other manufactured products, we will be contributing to sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs across the economy," said the statement.
Ministers Pravin Gordhan, Thulas Nxesi and Thoko Didiza who met with the unions, United National Transport Union (UNTU) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) in the morning, said they would continue to engage all parties in order to resolve the dispute "speedily and constructively".
"It is the view of the government that it will be in the interests of the country to find a speedy resolution to this impasse and for parties to continue to engage.
"Our country cannot afford further job losses in other sectors of the economy and the interruption of imports and exports to and from South Africa.
"Government urges both parties to adopt an approach which balances the rights of workers, who are affected by rising prices, against the long-term stability and growth of Transnet, and the economy as a whole," said the statement.
Following the rejection of a proposed 4% and 5 % wage increase by Transnet on Monday, union members continued with the strike today and held pickets throughout the country.
At the Cape Town operations were at a standstill, no ships were berthing and cranes stood idle.
A striking SATAWU worker at the port terminal said: “those white shipping containers carry perishable goods and have not been moved for days now.
“We are aware of the impact of the action but we are also feeling the pinch of rising food, fuel and other costs,” said the worker who did not want to be identified.
A SATAWU shop steward Zamikhaya Mrali said if Transnet tabled a new offer in the latest round of conciliation talks, both unions would have to seek a decision from members.
By late on Wednesday the parties were still locked in talks and there was no indication on when an update would be released.
"It's our members who will make a call. They are the ones who gave the union leadership a mandate to negotiate", said Mrali.
Officials for the United National Transport Union (UNTU) said the strike action was a "last resort" and would not accept any offers below the current 7.6 % Consumer Price Index (CPI).
"Workers received a 5 % increase in 2021 and no increase on medical aid and housing allowances. This situation cannot be allowed to carry on," said UNTU official Munifa English.