Eskom salary increases in 2026 are shaped by a newly negotiated wage agreement that sets out multi-year pay rises for workers across the utility.
The agreement comes after long negotiations between Eskom and major trade unions, and it applies to thousands of employees in the power utility’s bargaining unit.
What is the Eskom salary increase for 2026?
Eskom has agreed to a 7% annual salary increase for workers starting from July 2026 under a new three-year wage agreement.
The deal covers employees in the bargaining unit and applies across the board, not just to selected groups.
The increase is part of a structured agreement rather than a once-off adjustment, meaning salaries will rise each year for three consecutive years.
How long does the Eskom wage agreement last?
The 2026 Eskom wage agreement is a three-year deal running from July 2026 to 2029.
Each year includes a 7% increase, creating predictable salary growth for workers.
This type of agreement is used to reduce yearly strike risk and stabilize labour relations inside the utility.
It also helps Eskom plan labour costs more accurately over a longer financial period.
Which unions agreed to the Eskom salary increase?
The wage agreement was signed after negotiations with the main unions representing most workers.
These include:
- National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
- Solidarity
Together, these unions represent more than 75% of Eskom employees, which makes the agreement binding across the workforce.
However, NUMSA rejected the final offer and demanded a higher increase, creating ongoing tension in the bargaining process.
How much will Eskom workers earn after the 7% increase?
The actual salary depends on job grade, but the 7% increase affects all bargaining unit workers.
For example:
- A worker earning R20,000 per month would move to about R21,400 after the increase
- A worker earning R30,000 per month would move to about R32,100
- A worker earning R50,000 per month would move to about R53,500
Because the increase is compounding annually, salaries continue to rise each year of the agreement.
Eskom’s total employee cost is already high, with the utility spending over R1 million per employee on average annually due to wages and benefits.
What were Eskom workers demanding before the deal?
Before the agreement was finalised, unions had higher demands.
Typical demands included:
- Initial wage requests of up to 15% increases
- Revised demands reduced to around 12%
- Additional lump sum payments in some proposals
These demands were higher above inflation levels, which influenced negotiations heavily.
Eskom initially offered lower increases in earlier rounds before settling on the 7% structure.
Does the Eskom salary increase apply to all employees?
The increase applies to all employees in the bargaining unit, including workers not directly represented by the signing unions.
Even though NUMSA did not sign the agreement, it still applies because the other unions represent the majority of employees.
This is how collective bargaining agreements work in Eskom and many large state-owned companies.
It ensures uniform salary adjustments across the workforce instead of fragmented pay systems.
Why is Eskom giving a 7% salary increase?
The Eskom salary increase is driven by several factors:
- Inflation pressure and cost of living adjustments
- Need to avoid strikes and labour disruptions
- Stabilising operations after years of financial strain
- Retaining skilled technical workers in power generation
The increase is also slightly above inflation levels in South Africa, making it a real income improvement for employees.
What happens next after the 2026 wage deal?
The agreement provides labour stability for three years, but future negotiations will still happen after the deal ends.
Some expectations going forward include:
- New wage talks before the agreement expires
- Possible adjustments based on inflation and Eskom’s financial position
- Continued tension with unions that rejected the deal
For now, workers benefit from predictable annual increases and reduced uncertainty in their earnings.
