Proposals have been put on the table to improve nurses’ salaries by between 20% and 23%, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang announced on Friday.
”Part of the proposal we have presented to the discussions with the health unions is that entry level salaries of nurses be increased by between 20% and 23% with effect from July 1 2007,” she said.
The minister was meeting with hospital CEOs in Pretoria where these proposals would be discussed.
This means that newly qualified professional nurses would enter the public health sector at a salary of R96 750 per annum — R17 343 more than what they would have received before.
Staff nurses would enter on a salary of R65 574 and assistant nurses at R49 665.
The proposal would represent an increase of more than 21% for professional nurses, 20% for staff nurses and 23% for assistant nurses at entry level.
”Our package of proposals calls for a recognition of years of experience, skills and education.”
Nurses would now have an opportunity to progress to higher levels based on performance and accumulation of skills, Tshabalala-Msimang said.
”Occupation-specific dispensation” will be extended to doctors, dentists and pharmacists next year. This would boost the department’s ability to attract and retain health professionals, Tshabalala-Msimang said.
The proposals would also provide ”recognition remuneration” of nursing educators which, she said, would attract lecturers to nursing colleges. — Sapa