The government remains committed to resolving the current stand-off over wages with public-service unions in a non-confrontational manner, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said on Tuesday.
The government also remains committed to collective bargaining and resolving the matter in a way that excludes industrial action if possible, she told MPs in the National Assembly.
Fraser-Moleketi said the constitutional right of all workers to unionisation and to engage in industrial action, especially those not rendering essential services, was also fully acknowledged.
The need for an inflation-related increase that preserved the buying power of public servants was also recognised.
The government’s offer was 6%.
The comprehensive package currently on the table also included an occupation-specific dispensation for health workers and legal professionals.
”This can and should be expanded to educational, warders and social workers, which will cover … 80% of the public service,” she said.
Occupation-specific dispensations also meant consideration was being given to providing market-related salaries to certain categories of workers.
The package further took into account allowances, such as danger and night allowances, which would increase by 25%.
In addition, medical subsidies for members of the government service medical aid scheme (Gems) were to be improved.
The government was also looking at aligning the public service with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which would mean workers would receive time-and-a-half pay on Sundays and double-time on public holidays.
”As a government, we are indeed committed to resolving this matter in a non-confrontational way, because we do not believe there’s a need for brinkmanship by any side,” Fraser-Moleketi said. — Sapa