A task team has been appointed to explore all possible options in an attempt to break the public-service pay hike impasse.
Union officials said the team — which includes members from both the government and labour — will report back on Friday afternoon to the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), which convened an urgent meeting on Friday morning to try to break the deadlock.
The officials said the original government proposal of a 6% wage increase still stands, while the unions are sticking to their demand of 7%, but that they are nevertheless looking at all possible options to try to resolve the impasse.
About 700 000 public servants embarked on a nationwide strike on Thursday, which was continuing on Friday. They are threatening to extend the strike to include Monday and Tuesday if their demands are not met. — I-Net Bridge