Personal Notes 

On a Personal Note - Salaries vs. Inflation

There is an "unfortunate" email "Salaries vs Inflation" doing the rounds. I say unfortunate in that I believe that it is sending a totally erroneous message and is inciting bad behaviour and creating the impression that this is all the "Employers" problem.

In the email the writer sketches a scenario of rising costs and shows that it is now very difficult, if not impossible, to afford just the basics. Here I agree. Prices are rising. It is becoming a real problem and many more people are daily finding that the month lasts longer than their money.

Where I totally disagree with the author is the call to Cosatu to compel employers to increase wages by at least 15% across the board. This call shows a total lack of understanding of economics and the basic laws of prosperity.

While I sympathise with the writer I feel that this call is completely wrong and this strategy of trying to force employers to pay more is going to drive us into a Zimbabwe (the land of impoverished billionaires) situation.

What I would like to see is that Cosatu, instead of trying to get more for less, encourage their members to work more productively and thereby EARN the right to higher wages. I have written previously that You cannot Demand your way to wealth. Sustainable economic growth always comes from doing more with less, from being creative, productive and effective. Certain economic decline is always caused by demanding more wages for less work, by being ineffective and unproductive and seeing your job as a burden and your employer as your enemy.

If you do "force" employers to pay higher wages it will lead to higher prices (where do you think that the employer gets the money from for the extra wages bill) If the employer cannot increase prices then higher wages will lead to unemployment as many businesses will just close down.

Rather than attempting to "force" your employer to pay you higher wages, work on encouraging your employer to pay you higher wages by ensuring that your services lead to greater productivity, improved sales, better cost control and higher profits. When you have done that then you will have EARNED the right to higher wages.

This is a serious situation but it can only be resolved by working together. Conflict will only worsen the situation and if you think that it is your employers responsibility to ensure that you can afford to live well then you have it completely wrong. It is your responsibility to ensure that your services are worth more. You are responsible for what you earn.

Don't be a victim reliant on outside forces and circumstances for your wellbeing, or blaming them for your condition. Be a VICTOR and take responsibility for your life. Do what needs to be done to make you a better you. Do what needs to be done to ensure that you are worth more to yourself, your family and your community.

If you want a better life be worthy of it.

To live your best life be true to the YOU, that you want to be.

Live up to the reputation that you want to have.