29 August 2006
This morning a high level delegation from the Department of Home Affairs and
the Support Intervention Team, which comprises of the Office of the Public
Service Commission (OPSC) and the Department of Public Service and
Administration (DPSA), met with all unions operating within this sector which
included the National Education and Health Workers Union (NEHAWU), Public and
Allied Workers Union of South Africa (PAWUSA) and the Public Servants
Association (PSA), to share with them the recently approved outcome of the job
evaluation process and placement strategy for immigration officers for salary
levels 1 â 6. Following this approval, the Minister of Home Affairs would like
the process to be implemented as from 1 September 2006 in line with the
recently approved organisational structure and to try and resolve any
outstanding expectation with regards to the job weight of immigration
officers.
Although this initial process primarily focused on the category for
immigration officers, the Department is mindful of the need to investigate and
review the job weight of all occupational categories across the Department
through a job evaluation process in order to enhance efficiency and service
delivery within the Department of Home Affairs. We are aware that given the
extent of this process we have approached this complex task in a staggered
manner according to the availability of funding and the ongoing review of the
organisational structure, hence starting with level 1 â 6 in respect of
immigration officers.
Whilst this ongoing job evaluation process was administratively in progress
after the review of the organisational structure, approved March 2006, a
dispute was declared by the PSA on 12 June 2006 and hence an ongoing threat of
strike action from them. We are convinced that the administrative actions of
the Department of Home Affairs will definitely address all the concerns of its
affected employees.
In terms of the Public Service Regulations, the executing authority of a
Department has the discretion in taking decisions on the grading of posts
according to needs and the awarding of salaries to employees with due regard to
the availability of funds and the performance of employees based on the outcome
of the job evaluation process.
The outcome of the job evaluation of posts of immigration officer posts at
entry level, with a minimum of a matric qualification was at salary level five
and with a minimum three-year post matric qualification was at salary level
six.
This placement will be based on their validated competencies through
educational qualifications, their current remuneration levels and their most
recent performance assessment.
Serving immigration officers will be able to progress through promotion to
the next higher salary levels on the attainment of a three-year post matric
qualification and by applying for a vacant advertised post. Newly appointed
immigration officers will be required to successfully complete a one-year
theoretical and practical immigration training which can occur simultaneously
during their probation period.
The Department has endeavoured to address disparities in the post class
through a thorough job evaluation process and a carefully considered, fair
placement exercise which is to the benefit of its employees. We are therefore
positive that the commitment that the Department has shown to address this
challenge within the prevailing legislative framework should alleviate any
pending action by members of the PSA.
For more information contact:
Nkosana Sibuyi
Cell: 082 886 6708
Cleo Mosana
Ministerial Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 902 8796
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
29 August 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dha.gov.za/)
