FOREIGN workers living in South Africa have decided to form their own trade union in response to the recent spate of xenophobic attacks they have suffered from local people over the last month.  

Over recent weeks, Zulu mobs have launched murderous attacks on foreign African workers in South Africa, killing at least seven and destroying hundreds of businesses. Frustrated with the country's stagnant economy, local people have taken their frustration out on fellow African migrant who work in South Africa. 

Widely condemned, the attacks have abated recently but many of the migrants are yet to recover from the losses they suffered, while several countries have repatriated their citizens home. In response to the attacks, the migrants have decided to form the South African United Foreigner Trade Union (Sauftru) to represent their interests. 

Sauftru president Salman Khan, said the union is going to be a mouthpiece for all the foreigners and non-governmental organisations in South Africa. He added that it will also defend the rights of the working class and provide a platform for the South African government to communicate and dialogue with foreigners. 

During the recent attacks, thousands of foreign nationals were displaced and hundreds of foreign-owned shops looted. Some local South Africans say foreigners, estimated at about 3m from 50 countries take all the local jobs, engage in illegal business and committing crime.