BMW, GM Suspend Production in South Africa

BMW AG and General Motors Co. say they have halted production in South Africa after protests by striking workers at parts suppliers turned violent.

BMW suspended production at its factory in Pretoria. GM has idled its factory in Port Elizabeth.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, which represents some 200,000 manufacturing employees in the country, wants a one-year pact that boosts wages for its members 12%-15%. Manufacturing companies, which are represented by the Steel and Engineering Industry Federation of Southern Africa, seek a three-year agreement with pay hikes of 8%-10%.

Strikes by NUMSA, which began on July 1, affect roughly one-third of South Africa's manufacturing activity.