Wage demands unaffordable: iLIVE

31 January 2013 - 02:01 By iLIVE
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The biggest problem with South African unions is that they fight for popularity among their members rather than for real financial prosperity ("New wages will strip us naked", yesterday).

The average union member, quite understandably, wants a bigger salary, so the union bosses have to be seen as fighting for that. Of course, the average union member has no idea of the impact his unrealistic demands might have on the economy, and union bosses have no incentive - assuming that they actually understand it themselves - to try and explain that. - Mike, by e-mail

COSATU and the government seem to regard employers as the enemy. The private sector is expected to provide employment to all and sundry at a living wage. Politicians seem not to understand that entrepreneurs expect a return on their investment. - Alan, by e-mail

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