Mediation is underway to halt South Africa World Cup strike
Mediation efforts are taking place in South Africa in a bid to end a nationwide strike which has halted construction at 2010 World Cup sites.
Some 70,000 workers downed tools on Wednesday demanding a 13% pay rise but employers are offering no more than 10.
The labour department is holding talks with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the SA Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors.
Organisers say everything will be ready unless the strike last for months.
On Monday judges rejected a request from the employers to outlaw the strike, which the NUM says will "not end until demands are met".
The strike has affected construction at stadiums, airports and the new railway system Gautrain.
The head of the 2010 World Cup organising committee, Danny Jordaan earlier told BBC that he was confident that the strike could be resolved soon.
- BBC