Workers at South Africa’s state‑owned power utility, Eskom, have rejected a 6% wage offer from management, raising the possibility of further labor unrest and service disruptions in the country’s already strained electricity sector.
Union representatives say the offer fails to keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of living, arguing that Eskom employees need a more substantial pay increase to protect their real incomes. Several major unions criticized the proposal as insufficient and outdated, and have called for management to return to the negotiating table with a revised offer.
Eskom which supplies most of South Africa’s electricity has faced years of operational and financial challenges, including ageing infrastructure, frequent breakdowns and rolling power cuts. Industrial action by its workforce could exacerbate instability in the utility’s operations, potentially affecting maintenance work and other essential functions.
Management and union leaders are expected to resume talks in the coming days to try and find common ground and prevent escalation. Government officials have expressed concern about the dispute, emphasizing the importance of a stable labor environment for ensuring reliable power supply across the country.