14 June 2007
Government welcomes the return to work of the tens of thousands of Public
Servants who are no longer on strike
We thank the volunteers, who have assisted in ensuring that services have
been minimally disrupted.
Government appreciates the extraordinary efforts of the South African
Military Health Services in maintaining essential services. We also thank the
security services for their role in assisting in potentially troublesome
situations.
We commend those who marched yesterday for behaving responsibly while
exercising their right to engage in such action.
Government believes that the proposal put forward by the mediating team is
one that is worthy of serious consideration. We recognise, as the mediators
have pointed out, that any proposal in the mediation process requires
flexibility from both parties and will not be entirely to the liking of either
party.
We call on Labour to take this comprehensive proposal to its members in
full, so that they can give due consideration to its detail and the
implications thereof.
The proposal by the mediators goes beyond the 7,25% general increase for
this year and a CPIX plus 1 percent increase for next year.
We anticipate that with the special packages which we are proposing - the
Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) - teachers, subject to negotiation in
the sector bargaining council, who are currently at starting level, with a four
year qualification, will see their basic salary going from the current salary
of R99 540 to R114 423, when the OSD comes into effect on 1 January next year.
This excludes the considerable benefits to which public servants are entitled â
pension, medical aid and housing.
In the meantime, if the 7,25% increase is accepted, they will in the interim
move to R106 757 for the current half year. The increase to R114 423 represents
a percentage increase of on salary alone of 14,95%.
A teacher with 10 years service is anticipated to move from a current basic
salary, with the OSD from R109 962 to R126 067 (benefits excluded).
A principal on level 10 with five years experience is anticipated with the
OSD to go from R191 742 to R219 904 (benefits excluded).
Nurses, with the OSD, are anticipated to get salary increases starting 1
July 2007. A professional nurse with a four-year qualification, four years
experience on the 5th notch of level six (as an example) will go from a basic
salary of R78 477 to R125 942. The total package (which includes service bonus,
pay progression, pension, housing allowance and subsidy for Government
Employees Medical Aid) will go from the current R121 708 to R183 781 - a 51%
increase on total package.
This new salary scales indicate the seriousness that government accords to
attracting and retaining skills in the identified occupations. We are committed
to ensuring that those who have a vocation to serve in these areas are properly
rewarded and do not leave the professions of their choice because they see no
chance of promotion or progression. These new salary packages allow for more
rapid career advancement and provide the opportunity for advancement within the
chosen field.
We call on all government employees to study the proposals before us,
to return to work while negotiations continue in the bargaining council
We have undertaken to serve the people of South Africa. Let us fulfil the
pledge â We belong; We care; We serve.
Enquiries: Lewis Rabkin
Cell: 082 497 3220
Issued by: Ministry for Public Service and Administration
14 June 2007
