LABOUR
From trade-offs to take-it-or-leave it
Unions gear up for another fight as government sticks to its guns
The budget, as National Treasury director-general Ismail Momoniat reminded journalists at the budget media conference, is all about dealing with infinite competing demands for a finite amount of funds.
One of the most significant of those demands, minister of finance Enoch Godongwana reminded us during his budget speech in parliament, is the social wage. Over the medium term more than 60% of noninterest expenditure goes to this expense. Unlike the economic wage, the social wage is provided by the government and has involved a steadily rising contribution to improving the living conditions of working people and their families. It includes expenditure on education, health services, social development, public transport, housing and local amenities...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.