Early indications suggest that salaried employees may be better off this year, but with persistent inflation, high taxes and high interest rates, consumers are not yet in calm waters.
Yolanda Sedlmaier, a chartered compensation specialist and member of the SA Reward Association (Sara), said market data indicates salary increases could be between 5% and 7% this year, while the Reserve Bank's latest forecast for inflation in 2024 stands at 5.1%.