JOHANNESBURG — World Cup organizers in South Africa say a strike by construction workers entered its second day as negotiators meet to try and resolve the standoff.

The strike has halted work on World Cup stadiums and organizers fear that a prolonged work stoppage could derail major projects ahead of the 2010 tournament.
Lesiba Seshoka, a spokesman for the union that represents the workers, says meetings are under way with members of the event’s local organizing committee and government labor representatives.
Workers are demanding a 13 percent pay increase but employers are offering 10.4 percent.
The first World Cup to be held in Africa is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the country next year for the month-long event.