The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng on Wednesday proposed a ”value-for-money” system in determining public-sector bonuses.
”The time for a discussion on how public servants are paid is long overdue,” DA provincial finance spokesperson Mike Moriarty said in a statement.
He was reacting to reports of strike action against the Gauteng education department by various teachers from the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu).
”It is clear that the province spends billions on public-sector activity, education included.
”Indeed, the education budget at R19-billion is the biggest item,” he said.
It was also clear that workers in professions like health, education and the police were underpaid.
”Accordingly, one must listen carefully to the grievances of public-sector unions.
”However, it would be useful if Sadtu and other unions could agree to principles such as ‘value-for-money’, for what is not clear is whether the citizens of Gauteng really do get a valuable service from public schools, public hospitals and the police
currently,” Moriarty said.
Part of Sadtu’s gripes was that striking workers in a previous strike were not paid.
”Really? What has happened to the principle of ‘no work, no pay’.
”Why shouldn’t bonuses and increases be linked to outcome? Why can’t the unions support actions to weed out the incompetent and corrupt among their ranks?”
However, a system of rewarding good work and dealing with bad could only work when the administration was also working.
”And here Sadtu have fertile ground for fighting their cause.”
It would not be so if salaries and other personnel matters were administered with utmost competence.
Any other standard was unacceptable. It was at this point where the ANC government stood fully accountable, he said.
”They have been unable to run a competent administration and this gives opportunities for public-sector unions to justify strike action.
”If the DA were in charge, there would be proper remuneration for hard-working government employees. There would be competent administration.
”There would be tough action against the unions and there would be service [at last] for all the people,” he said. – Sapa