Based on past practice, the ANC will give in to unions’ unaffordable pay demands regardless of the economic consequences
09 February 2023 - 19:04
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The ruling party now faces its worst-case scenario. Even its own research shows its support among voters could drop below 40%. The trade unions have traditionally delivered a large chunk of ANC voters and if the party loses Cosatu it could drop even as low as 35%.
This is a picture too ghastly for the government to contemplate. It is clear that a public service wage increase of more than 3% isn’t affordable, yet it’s also clear that the unions won’t accept 3%. Something has to give, and obviously the ANC will do everything it can to avoid an ongoing dispute and the withdrawal of the Cosatu vote come the 2024 general election.
Speaking at the African Mining Indaba President Cyril Ramaphosa told business and unions to stop moaning. That is not going to have the desired effect. The only way out for an ANC government is to pay the unaffordable increase and accept that the only policy it’s left with is one of scorched earth.
Michael Bagraim, MP
Via email
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Scorched earth policy
Based on past practice, the ANC will give in to unions’ unaffordable pay demands regardless of the economic consequences
Normal ANC practice is to cave in to union demands whenever elections loom (“State may hike public sector pay for votes”, February 6).
The ruling party now faces its worst-case scenario. Even its own research shows its support among voters could drop below 40%. The trade unions have traditionally delivered a large chunk of ANC voters and if the party loses Cosatu it could drop even as low as 35%.
This is a picture too ghastly for the government to contemplate. It is clear that a public service wage increase of more than 3% isn’t affordable, yet it’s also clear that the unions won’t accept 3%. Something has to give, and obviously the ANC will do everything it can to avoid an ongoing dispute and the withdrawal of the Cosatu vote come the 2024 general election.
Speaking at the African Mining Indaba President Cyril Ramaphosa told business and unions to stop moaning. That is not going to have the desired effect. The only way out for an ANC government is to pay the unaffordable increase and accept that the only policy it’s left with is one of scorched earth.
Michael Bagraim, MP
Via email
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments to letters@businesslive.co.za. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
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