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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Codetermination in post-apartheid South Africa?
Author:Lawrence, AndrewISNI
Year:2000
Periodical:Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies
Volume:27
Issue:1
Pages:117-132
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:labour relations
trade unions
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02589340050004136
Abstract:At first glance, there are similarities in the political economy during the democratic transitions of postwar Germany in the 1940s-1950s and postapartheid South Africa, in the form of democratic corporatism in industrial relations and economic debates animated by the idea of codetermination. In both cases pacts arose between business and labour in compensation for the weakness of the respective States. However, differences should not be overlooked. In South Africa the post-liberal State structures have not attained widespread legitimacy, authority, or power. South African unions' capacity to deliver wage restraint may be even lower than their willingness to do so. South Africa is unlikely to replicate the former West Germany's stability. It has adopted only weak variations of elements of the codetermination model. A sketch of the transformation of South African industrial relations, the growth of social movement trade unionism, ANC and COSATU advocacy of growth with redistribution, and the diminished political autonomy of the union movement, illustrates these points. A review of major differences between German and South African codetermination in law and practice regarding works councillors, strikes, lockouts, and participation in supervisory boards, indicates greater interlocutor inequality and institutional underdevelopment in the South African labour movement. The prioritization of international economic relations in South Africa could serve as an additional hindrance to codetermination. There are no signs that either the business community or the ANC government will make a priority of improving employer-employee cooperation or building company-level codetermination structures. Notes, ref., sum.
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