Pressure can be relieved in a number of ways such as cutting consultants and reducing staffing in non-core areas such as state-owned entities, as well as ministerial office staff
Additional funds have been allocated to pay teachers, doctors, nurses and police officers but productivity is not always commensurate with salaries
The minister underlined that in the wake of efforts to grow the economy, the government must respect budget constraint
To rein in spending, the government will have to restrict recruitments and delay certain projects
The government is walking a tightrope as civil servants embark on industrial action over pay
However, the treasury still expects the country to achieve a main budget surplus from this year onwards
Labour has been on the receiving end of a failing economy’s onslaught, giving a business-friendly government the upper hand
Fiscal consolidation is drawing to a close as the public purse was boosted by commodities, but the treasury will probably continue exercising restraint
This is as a strike looms in the public sector after some unions have rejected the government’s offer of a 3% wage hike
Cosatu unions have declared a dispute and have accused the government of undermining collective bargaining
Eskom, Transnet and the public sector wage bill will feature large in next week’s medium-term budget policy statement
Commentators have weighed in on the Transnet strike’s economic hit, but strike season isn’t over yet
Workers are in the throes of a cost of living crisis, which could force the government to fold on its hard line against more spending
Enoch Godongwana is currently seized with preparations for the medium-term budget, which will give details on whether fiscal stability is still possible
The treasury is meeting rating agencies that identified the public service compensation as a threat to South Africa’s credit outlook
