1.   Economic unrest Workers at coal and copper mines went on strike during late July, demanding wage rises and improved conditions.

2.   The Government also wants private firms to curtail wage rises, currently running at around six percent.

3.   He identified high wage rises as the most serious problem, and announced that he would hold talks with employers and unions on how to restrain wage increases.

4.   The unions were opposed to proposals for increases in health service charges and restrictions on wage rises for public servants.

5.   Workers at coal and copper mines went on strike during late July, demanding wage rises and improved conditions.

6.   Wage rises were therefore granted not only as a response to disruptive strikes, but also to enable demand to absorb supply.

7.   Wage rises are the main immediate cause of scrapping.