Spotlight 8: South African industrial relations: cooperation in place of conflict
Updated: Jan 22, 2019
Industrial relations in South Africa are particularly fraught. The country is ranked worst
in the world on cooperation in labour-employer relations by the World Economic Forum.
Further, relations seem to be worsening. The latest Industrial Action Report released by the
Department of Labour in July shows that strike incidents increased by 8% to 132 between
2016 and 2017. Last year witnessed the highest number of strikes since the department
began monitoring their frequency.
Industrial relations in South Africa are particularly fraught. The country is ranked worst
in the world on cooperation in labour-employer relations by the World Economic Forum.
Further, relations seem to be worsening. The latest Industrial Action Report released by the
Department of Labour in July shows that strike incidents increased by 8% to 132 between
2016 and 2017. Last year witnessed the highest number of strikes since the department
began monitoring their frequency.
