Government not delaying wage negotiations

© Ion Chiosea – 123RF.com

“On behalf of government and the Committee of Ministers - which includes Ministers of Finance, Defence, Health, Basic Education, Justice and Correctional Services, Police and Social Development - I would like to restate our commitment to this process and assure all stakeholders that we will not rest until a best possible outcome is found between the negotiating parties,” the Minister said on Thursday, 5 April 2018.

Minister Dlodlo said she had noted with concern media reports that government is unnecessarily delaying the public sector wage negotiations process.

Government and public sector unions are currently locked in a facilitation process under the guidance of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).

The Minister said the current round of wage negotiations, which addresses both the cost of living allowance as well as the improvement of other conditions of service for public servants, is being undertaken under very difficult economic conditions.

She said this places an additional responsibility on both parties, the state as an employer and the public sector unions, to ensure that the outcome of the negotiations contributes to improving the conditions of service of public servants as well as ensuring the sustainability of government’s personnel expenditure.

The Minister appealed for patience from all the public servants and the public at large to afford the negotiating parties sufficient time to reach an amicable negotiated settlement.