On 31 July 2012, parties in the PSCBC reached an agreement on the negotiations on salaries and conditions of service for public servants.
The agreement that parties signed can be summarised as follows:
A multi-year salary adjustment of:
- 7% on 1 May 2012;
- CPI plus 1% on 1 April 2013; and
- CPI plus 1% on 1 April 2014.
Pay progression
The qualifying period for new appointments to the public service will be extended from 12 - 24 months.
Long Service Recognition:
- From 10 years employees will qualify for 30 working days leave and a certificate;
- 20 years: cash award of R 7 500 plus a certificate;
- 30 years: cash award of R 15 000 plus a certificate; and
- 40 years: a cash award of R 20 000 plus a certificate.
Night Shift Allowance will increase as follows
- R2,12 to R 2,69 per hour from 1 July 2012;
- R2,69 to R 3,35 per hour from 1 July 2013; and
- R3,35 to R 4,00 per hour from 1 July 2014.
Housing allowance
- The housing allowance will be increased from R800-00 to R900-00 per month with effect from 1 April 2012.
- The process to develop the Government Employees Housing Scheme continues.
Recognition of improved qualifications
Upon attainment of one qualification that is related to an employee's scope of work and enhances the employee's performance and the service delivered by the employee, the employee will receive a once-off cash bonus of 10% of his/her annual salary notch, provided this does not exceed the minimum notch of salary level 8. This does not apply to qualifications paid for by the State.
Leave
The following leave provisions are applicable in a leave cycle. With effect from 1 January 2013, employees will receive:
- 5 working days family responsibility leave for births and illness;
- 5 working days family responsibility leave for deaths;
- 5 working days pre-natal leave for medical examinations; and
- 15 working days for shop stewards leave.
Amendments to PSCBC Resolution 3 of 2009
- According to Resolution 3 of 2009, all employees appointed as Assistant Directors and Deputy Directors, shall with effect from 1 July 2010, be on salary levels 9 and 11 respectively.
- Appointments on levels 10 and 12 will be re-introduced.
The parties to the PSCBC are tasked with investigating and developing proposals on the following aspects:
- Outsourcing;
- Occupational Health and Safety;
- Decent work;
- PMDS;
- Re-arrangement of working time;
- Danger allowance;
- Minimum Service Level Agreement;
- Government Employees Housing Scheme; and
- Remuneration Policy.
Conclusion
The Minister for Public Service and Administration wishes to extend her gratitude to all the parties for having reached an amicable agreement. The State as the employer reiterates that it believes that the settlement is reasonable, and takes into account the economic and fiscal constraints faced by government. It strikes a balance between the needs of the public servants on the one hand, and the broader social and economic challenges of the State on the other.
The State as employer further calls on public servants to support the pledge to professionalise the public service though a Public Service Charter that will be entered into by the employer and all public servants. It is through this Charter that we hope to create a more efficient public service that is responsive to the needs of all citizens and one that re-confirms our commitment to creating a better life for all.
