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Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): July

Copyright (c) 2026 Luvuko Nkwenkwe

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The Future of Trade Unions in South Africa: An Industrial Relations Perspective: A Qualitative Literature Review

https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v3i3.358
Luvuko Nkwenkwe
School of Commerce, College of Law and Management Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Corresponding Author(s) : Luvuko Nkwenkwe

Lnkwenkwe1@gmail.com

Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): July

Abstract

This study examines the future of trade unions in South Africa through an Industrial Relations perspective by synthesizing existing scholarly literature on labor market transformation, employment governance, and worker representation. Using a qualitative literature review, the study analyses 20 peer-reviewed academic and policy sources to explore how globalization, technological change, labor market fragmentation, and institutional restructuring are reshaping organized labor. The thematic analysis reveals that trade unions have experienced a gradual erosion of structural and institutional power due to outsourcing, non-standard employment, digitalization, and changing production systems. However, the findings indicate that union decline is neither inevitable nor uniform. Rather, the future relevance of trade unions depends on their ability to renew organizing strategies, strengthen sectoral bargaining, broaden representation to precarious workers, and enhance their role within employment governance. The study argues that trade unions remain important institutions for promoting worker voice, social dialogue, and equitable labor market outcomes. It concludes that organizational innovation, inclusive representation, and stronger governance mechanisms will be essential for sustaining trade union relevance within South Africa's evolving industrial relations landscape. The article contributes to Industrial Relations scholarship by integrating diverse perspectives into a coherent analysis of trade union renewal and institutional adaptation.

Keywords

Employment Governance Industrial Relations Labour Market South Arica Trade Union Renewal Trade Unions
Nkwenkwe, L. (2026). The Future of Trade Unions in South Africa: An Industrial Relations Perspective: A Qualitative Literature Review . Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(3), 804–825. https://doi.org/10.62810/jssh.v3i3.358
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