The DGB is an umbrella organisation for eight German trade unions. The union represents approximately 6.3 million employees across the country, and the number varies from sector to sector. However, the representation of the union is dominant in the metal and car industry. The DGB coordinates joint demands and activities within the German trade union. It represents and coordinates activities of member unions with the government authorities, political parties and employer's union. The DGB has close relations with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and thus has relations with South Africa. Compared to South Africa, Germany has very low strike rates, although the net gain of the German wages has not risen in the past ten years.