The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Thursday reached a multiterm wage agreement with labour unions for the next three fiscal years.
All parties — the broadcaster, the Media Workers’ Association of South Africa and the Communication Workers’ Union — agreed on an 11,5% increase for the year 2008/09, said SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
This is the largest percentage increase given by the SABC to its employees in the past 17 years and is above the average wage settlement, which stands between 7,4% and 8%.
Kganyago said the parties also agreed on revised incentives for long service awards.
”The SABC recognises that its loyal employees play a vital role in achieving its business objectives,” he said. ”These awards will play a significant role in recognising the value of employees to the corporation.”
They will also serve to nurture the partnership with employees at regular intervals during their careers at the SABC, said Kganyago.
Acting SABC Group CEO Gab Mampane said the SABC was mindful of the economic landscape in agreeing to the wage increase.
He said the multiterm agreement allows the SABC and the respective unions to have the time and space to deal with other labour issues such as transformation. — Sapa