Saptu challenges government over unfair salary increments

A representative of various employees in semi-government institutions, the South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutes Union (Saptu), says it is prepared to challenge government over unfair salary increases for its members.

According to a statement released by the union on Friday, employees last received increases in 2019 and it was only an inflation adjustment.

The union deems the government “unfair” and “unreasonable” in its adjustments as current cabinet members received a 3% increase and Eskom workers received 2022/23 salary adjustments of 7%.

“Rising living costs affect every resident of South Africa. Not just certain individuals,” says Saptu secretary-general Advocate Ben van der Walt.

“Inflation alone currently amounts to 7.4% and to offer our members only 2% is like a slap in the face,” he adds.

“The state is simply unreasonable. We cannot stand for that. Saptu members can count on us to bring their best interests to the table, and we assure them that we are doing everything in our power to bring a fair and just increase back to them.”

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Public servants’ pay rise

The Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council notes in a July 2021 statement on salary negotiations that government had offered public servants a 1.5% increase and a R1 000 cash allowance, which resulted in an 11.7% increase for the lowest-earning public servants.

The offer secures a minimum cash equivalent of R1 000 for all employees across all employment levels.

“This adjusted offer equates to level 1 employees receiving an amount equal to a cost-of-living adjustment of [consumer price index] CPI [plus] 7.5%, or a straight 11% increase if equated to the current salary levels,” according to the statement.

“Level 6 employees, for instance, will receive an amount equal to a cost-of-living adjustment of CPI [plus] 2.1% while level 10 employees will receive an amount equal to CPI (4.2%).”

The agreement, drafted in April 2021, with the deal struck in July 2021, allows a “safety clause” that binds the employer to continue to pay the cash allowance until it is officially amended by agreement between the parties.

The cash allowances are still paid to all employees.

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Palesa Mofokeng is a Moneyweb intern.