The strike by South African construction workers that has halted progress on World Cup stadiums continues, though the gap between employers and the unions appears to be closing. The workers are asking for a 13.5% raised in wages, while the construction firms are currently offering 11.5%. This is a compromise offer over the 10% increase that the employers originally offered.

While The Associated Press focused on the strike "continuing" today, the Wall Street Journal indicated on Friday that the sides are close and that a resolution may be forthcoming shortly.

The strike as it related to the World Cup stadiums effects four out of five of the facilities currently under construction. What I've been unable to determine, and what is missing from the various reports, is what the tipping might be for FIFA; the stadiums are due for delivery with time to spare, and a few days of workers off the job might not have any long reaching ramifications, but football's governing body must surely be tracking the strike closely.

Despite the relative success of the much smaller Confederations Cup last month, there is still some concern that South Africa may not be properly equipped to handle the world's largest sporting event. The sooner the strike ends, the better, as each passing day of work lost on the stadiums will only increase speculation that giving the World Cup to South Africa was a mistake.

I tend to lean towards labor in these situations, especially in a country like South Africa, where wages are terribly low by many standards. But for the good of both the country and their standing in the world, I hope that the compromise increase passes a union vote and stadium work resumes.