SA 2010 WORLD CUP STRIKE THREAT !

Work is already behind schedule at Green Point in Cape Town. An industrial relations dispute in South Africa is threating to halt building work for the 2010 World Cup. Construction workers' unions are seeking legal approval to hold strikes at all 10 venues being built or refurbished for the soccer tournament.

The World Cup organising committee has expressed concern at the strike threat. Construction has already been on hold for a week at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, where builders said they were unhappy with pay and conditions.

Most South African construction workers belong to the National Mineworkers' Union (NMU), whose spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said workers at the other stadia faced similar challenges. Tourism chiefs expect 450,000 fans to travel to South Africa for the finals, spending £800m.

BBC NEWS REPORT