Tools and Techniques Used

• Python, Jupyter Notebook, Data Cleaning, Data Visualization, Statistical Analysis, Stakeholder Presentation

Objective

• This project involved analyzing the outcomes of collective bargaining agreements in South Africa, provided by the Labour Research Service (LRS). The focus was on understanding the distribution of wages across different sectors and identifying which agreements were most beneficial to workers. The analysis aimed to provide insights into wage trends and the efficacy of collective bargaining efforts in improving workers' pay and conditions.

Approach & Analysis

• Our team cleaned and analyzed a dataset that contained wage agreements and outcomes for various sectors. We performed exploratory data analysis (EDA) to identify patterns in wage values, distribution, and the relationship between working hours and wage levels. The analysis also included investigating which types of agreements—such as private bargaining councils or wage determinations—led to the highest average wages. We visualized wage distributions and trends over time, particularly focusing on sectors like manufacturing.

Key Findings

• We found that certain wage agreements, particularly those from private bargaining councils, resulted in higher average wages for workers. Our analysis also revealed that wage values were positively skewed, with a small number of workers earning much higher wages than the majority. Additionally, while wages have generally increased over time, condition values (such as benefits) have been declining, raising questions about the long-term support provided by collective bargaining agreements.

Outcome

• The insights from this project were presented to LRS stakeholders via a slideshow. We highlighted the positive wage trends in recent years, while also emphasizing the need to address the decline in condition values to ensure comprehensive worker support. Our recommendations included focusing on the sectors and agreements that provide the most favorable outcomes for workers.