The South African government has increased its wage and housing offers to striking workers, a union spokesman said. The South African government upped its offer to a 7.5-percent wage increase and an 800-rand housing allowance. The unions were demanding an 8 percent wage increase and a 1,000-rand housing allowance. Congress of South African Trade Unions spokesman Patrick Craven told CNN that he welcomes that the government has moved on the issue, but it is now up to the union's members to decide. He expects the process to begin Tuesday. A massive strike has been crippling the country for nearly two weeks. The government had previously said that with a million jobs lost from the economy in the past year, it cannot afford to raise employee wages. Nurses and hospital staff are among thousands of public sector workers striking, and the lack of health care professionals on the job being is blamed for putting lives at risks. Source: CNN