“An agreement has been reached between the unions and the employers,” said Katishi Masemola, general secretary of the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU).

Up to 5,000 workers took part in the 11-day strike, according to the union, bringing production to a standstill.

The one-year deal means the lowest paid workers will now earn ten percent more, Masemola told AFP.

“We expect to go back to work from Monday,” he added.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, which led the negotiations between the companies and those taking industrial action, welcomed the end of the strike.

Separate talks will address other issues, such as requests to reduce the work week from 43 hours to 40.