As wages fall in value, more and more workers are being ‘squeezed’
Some factors influencing variables in the labour market are the continued widening of the wage gap along race and gender lines
Labour relations in the country are at a crossroad, with the potential to either improve or get worse as workers struggle to survive on wages that have dwindled in value over the years. A study on the South African worker income and expenditure patterns showed that there was a lack of growth in monthly earnings among workers, with the lowest end of the wage distribution suffering the most. Labour analyst Andrew Levy said this was reflected in wage demands made by workers, as the standard of living has become more "squeezed". He was speaking at the launch of the report on Tuesday in Johannesburg.
"There is little or no income left when workers are paid out," according to the report. Workers across all levels were spending 29% of their wages on housing or rental, 21% on transport, 13% on savings and insurance and 13% on loans. Other factors influencing the variables in the labour market in SA were the continued widening of the wage gap along race and gender lines. "Gender and ra...
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