SOUTH AFRICA
The South African Government says it believes it has found an answer to contentious pay disputes with public sector unions; however, media inquiries have found that no unions have signed up to the Government’s proposals and one is still contemplating strike action.
Under the deal, the Government will increase the salaries of public sector employees by up to 7 per cent in the first year.
In the second and third years, it would provide rises of up to projected inflation plus 1 per cent.
These increases are well below the 12 per cent initially demanded by unions and will be seen as a victory for President, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is trying to restore confidence in South Africa’s public finances.
Director-General of the Public Service and Administration Department, Kenny Govender issued a brief statement saying unions had agreed in principle to the three-year deal.
“The employer has signed the agreement on the table; the parties have a period of time in which to consider the agreement and append their signatures to the agreement,” Mr Govender said.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) said workers still needed time to properly consider the deal.
However, one of the seven unions involved in the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council, the Public Servants Association, which represents 238,000 members, is still sticking to a demand for 10 per cent raises across the board and has balloted its members to authorise a strike.
Pretoria, 22 May 2018
