An assessment of government, business and trade unions perspectives of socio-economic inequality in South Africa : what lens are we looking through

Abstract

In South Africa social dialogue is the agreed process in which the exchanging of viewpoints to facilitate harmonious labour relations. Twenty years on and inequality remains a grave concern within the socio-economic context of South Africa. It is necessary to understand current context to determine where viewpoints amongst the social partners are aligned and where they diverge. It is clear that all agree that inequality needs to be addressed, minimum wages are not the point of dispute, and seemingly the process of collaboration needs to be investigated further. A review of the literature indicates that more are concerned around the level at which the national minimum wage should be set and the procedures for setting the minimum wage. Furthermore the literature on institutions that set minimum wages indicates that the institutional design is important to consider an understanding on the differences between these institutions lacks. Following a case study approach, the purpose of this research was to assess how the perspectives of South African Government, Business and Trade Unions on addressing socio-economic inequality in South Africa impact social policy determination. In doing so, this research: ? explored the divergent perspectives of inequality from the viewpoints of government, organised business and organised labour in South Africa in determining the agreed approach to address socio-economic inequality in South Africa; and ? understand how these main groups collaborate to achieve the goal of developing a shared ?lens' through which to collectively address socio-economic inequality. This research argues that a common lens through which to consider inequality in South Africa is lacking.