Public sector unions in South Africa suspend their strike for 21 days, four weeks into the action. The unions represent 1.3 million workers.
South African public sector workers suspended a pay strike on Monday as it entered its fourth week.
The strike by 1.3 million workers has affected education, healthcare and the judiciary.
Strikers have demanded a double inflation 8.6 percent pay rise and a 1,000 rand (135 U.S. dollars) a month housing allowance.
In a joint statement by 19 unions, the workers announce that the decision to suspend the strike does not mean that they have accepted the state offer.
[Thobile Ntola, Representative, COSATU Public Service Unions]: (English)
"The hope is now expressed that workers will be able to return to work stations, and that service delivery will resume. Labour recommits the respective union and their members to quality service delivery in the interests of South Africa and its citizens."
The unions said they had 21 days to finalize discussions with their members on a draft agreement.
President Jacob Zuma's government raised its offer to 7.5 percent and 800 rand for the housing allowance last week.
Workers rejected the deal and the unions want more time to explain the offer to their members.
Economists predict that the labor action is costing the economy about 1 billion rand (138.34 million U.S. dollars) a day.