As AI adoption accelerates amid economic austerity, South African employers face rising wage pressure, skills bifurcation and new bargaining demands. This article examines how AI, unemployment and inequality are converging to reshape employment relations, and outlines a “new workplace deal” built on consultation, reskilling, fair transitions, and shared productivity gains.

As coalition politics, institutional pressure and global instability intensify, South African employers face a shifting employment relations landscape. This article explains how political drift fuels aggressive wage bargaining, strike action and policy uncertainty, and why boards must treat labour stability as a strategic risk. It highlights the importance of fair procedures, social dialogue and workplace partnership to protect business continuity and the social licence to op

SA’s wage negotiations highlight the struggle to balance income equality with economic stability amid high inequality and inflation.