Working days lost through labour disputes increased more than 200 percent between 2008 and 2009, the labour department's annual industrial action report shows.

Some 1 526 796 working days were lost through labour disputes in 2009, according to the report released on Wednesday.

"Although these figures are up by 1 029 360 (207 percent) from the previous year, they are low by historical standards," the department said in a statement.

The increase compared to 2008 might be attributed to major disputes that affected Road Freight Employers, local government, Telkom, the SA Post Office, Impala Platinum and clothing employers.

"However, the number of work stoppages, at 51 was the lowest on record," the department added.

The lowest on record

In 2009 for every 1000 employees 119 working days were lost. In 2008 it was 36 per 1000, an increase of 230.6 percent.

In 2009, R235 458 414 was lost in wages to employees, compared to R47 705 846 in 2008.

Working days were lost in all industries in 2009. However, those industries affected by national strikes or high profile labour disputes accounted for a higher number of working days lost.

"One such industry is the mining and quarrying industry with a huge strike that affected Impala Platinum, Blyvooruitzicht Gold Mining Company and Crown Gold Recoveries," the department said.

The mining and quarrying industry recorded the highest number of working days lost (413 402) in 2009.

This was followed by the manufacturing industry with 317 174 working days lost. The same industry was also affected by high profile strikes in the clothing, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.

The construction sector lost 264 654 working days.

June to September 2009 accounted for almost 80 percent of the year's industrial disputes.