South African rand dips ahead of wage dispute hearing

At 0615 GMT, the rand traded at 15.2700 against the U.S. dollar, around 0.15% weaker than its previous close.

The rand had gained on Tuesday, as hopes of a coronavirus vaccine and signs of economic recovery around the world kept investors interested in riskier assets.

Trade unions took the government to court after it failed to pay wage increases in April that were agreed under a three-year deal struck in 2018 but which officials say are no longer affordable.

Curbing its salary bill is a key part of the government's plan to arrest rising debt levels, and if the court sides with the unions and makes the government pay, it could jeopardise that plan.

The hearing will start around 0800 GMT.

Government bonds also dipped in early trade, as the yield on the 2030 bond rose 1 basis point to 9.02%.

(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Rashmi Aich)