Thousands of diamond miners are planning to go on strike next week in Botswana, the world's leading diamond producer, unless the president steps in to resolve the dispute, a union spokesperson said on Thursday.
A strike by the 6 000 miners in Botswana's four diamond pits would be the biggest industrial action ever in the sector which is the southern African country's largest source of income.
"Tomorrow we are meeting President Festus Mogae in the morning, and if we do not reach a workable solution, on Tuesday, the 3rd of August we will strike," said Jack Tlhagale, spokesperson for the mine workers' union.
