The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has strongly rejected the continued burden being placed on workers and households through repeated electricity price increases, following the proposed 8.83% average electricity price adjustment for Eskom direct customers for 2027/28, which is expected to take effect from 1 April 2027 if approved.
For workers already struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of living, another significant electricity increase is unacceptable and will further erode disposable income and household living standards.
Electricity is not a luxury. It is an essential component of everyday life and economic participation. When electricity costs continue to rise, workers are left with less income to meet other basic needs, including food, transport, housing, education and healthcare.
The impact also extends beyond households. Higher electricity costs place additional pressure on SMMEs, manufacturing and other productive sectors, with rising input costs potentially affecting competitiveness, investment and employment. NERSA’s own analysis has identified the cumulative impact of electricity price increases across a range of economic sectors.
FEDUSA is particularly concerned about the cumulative and compounding impact of electricity tariff increases on workers and the broader economy. Eskom direct customers already received an 8.76% increase from April 2026, following the 12.74% increase implemented in April 2025.
Year after year, workers are being expected to absorb increases that place further pressure on their incomes, while the cost of maintaining a decent standard of living continues to rise. This trajectory undermines the principles of decent work and perpetuates increasingly difficult living conditions for working households.
At the same time, Eskom reported a R30.3 billion profit after tax for FY2025/26, its second consecutive profitable year, as well as R22.4 billion in savings and revenue contributions through its cost optimisation and revenue enhancement programme.
FEDUSA recognises that Eskom must remain financially sustainable and maintain a reliable electricity supply. However, Eskom’s improved financial performance and reported cost savings cannot be considered in isolation from the ability of workers and households to carry yet another substantial increase.
The question must therefore be asked: how much more can ordinary working people reasonably be expected to pay?
The proposed tariff restructuring also includes changes to fixed charges, making it important to assess the real impact on different categories of households, rather than focusing only on the headline 8.83%.
FEDUSA calls on NERSA to put workers, household affordability and the broader economic impact at the centre of its assessment and to carefully scrutinise the proposed tariff structure before making a final determination.
Workers cannot continually be expected to carry the cost of rising electricity prices while their disposable incomes are squeezed from every direction. A sustainable energy system must also be an affordable energy system for the people who depend on it.
FEDUSA encourages workers and stakeholders to participate in the consultation and make their voices heard on an issue that directly affects household affordability, workers’ living standards and the future of decent work in South Africa.
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For media enquiries:
Betty Moleya
FEDUSA Media and Communications
063 736 5533
For interviews:
Riefdah Ajam
FEDUSA General Secretary
079 696 2625
Ashley Benjamin
FEDUSA Deputy General Secretary
083 258 4433