Improved workplace democracy set to stabilise SA labour market
- William Gumede
Greater workplace democracy may make South Africa’s labour market more peaceful, productive and less racially charged, writes William Gumede.
Generally, across the globe, companies are mostly run top down, hierarchical, the executives decide and the workers implement unquestioningly. Such top-down management strategies have their origin in the militaries, whether the ancient Roman or Chinese armies or the first multinational companies during colonial times, such as the Dutch East India Company.
South Africa’s workplaces are among the least participative when it comes to decision-making by ordinary employees. In fact, for large swathes of South African corporates just the idea that ordinary employees should be involved in decision-making is an oxymoron.
Read the full article here.
Gumede is an Associate Professor at the Wits School of Governance.