JOHANNESBURG (AP):

The impact of a three-day-old strike by public sector workers worsened yesterday, with army medics and volunteers called in to help hospitals stricken by the industrial action.

The health department threatened to fire all nurses who have stopped work in defiance of a court order that said they were "essential" workers and so not allowed to strike. Health department chief Thamsanqa Mseleku said all health staff failing to turn up for work would be given notice starting today.

Public sector unions representing one million teachers, nurses and other workers started an indefinite strike Friday to press claims for a 12 per cent pay rise.