Image: SABC NewsSAA workers salaries have not been paid in eight months.
A showdown is expected between government and trade unions over unpaid salaries at the South African Airways (SAA).
There are concerns that the likelihood of a messy court battle would further complicate efforts to rescue the struggling airline.
State-owned SAA has not made a profit in almost a decade and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened its financial situation. It was placed under voluntary business rescue in December last year.
Earlier this week, the Department of Public Enterprises announced the appointment of a new SAA board. Some unions have made a counter-proposal to the DPE for workers to be paid three months’ salary now, with the remainder deferred until the airline gets a promised bailout from the government and a restructuring plan can be implemented.