The proposed 10,5% salary increase for public servants is technically correct, the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) said in Pretoria on Thursday.
President Dave Balt said the salary adjustment of 10,5% was technically correct in terms of the collective agreement signed last year in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council.
”In terms of that agreement, public servants must receive a salary adjustment based on the projected CPIX for the period April 1 to March 31 2009 plus 1%.
”The agreement also contains a safety measure, in that, should the actual CPIX be higher than the average projected CPIX, the difference will be added to the annual salary adjustment the following year,” he said.
According to Naptosa, the Budget speech indicated that inflation was outside the target band and was likely to remain so until the second half of 2009.
The speech also indicated that inflation was expected to average above 9% in 2008, before falling within the target range next year.
”We will request the minister to review the projected CPIX within the next two quarters and to make whatever salary adjustments necessary, rather than to wait for July 1 next year.”
”This would protect employees from having to cope with inflation until the correction is made and would be more fair than compensating employees after,” said Balt.
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union on Thursday rejected the proposed public service annual increase of 10,5% and called for the resignation of Naledi Pandor, the Minister of Education. – Sapa