The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has evaluated the impact of the third day of industrial action on its operations and can confirms that close to 80% of SARS personnel reported today for duty. Sporadic protests by striking National Education and Health Workers Union (NEHAWU) workers did cause disruptions at some border posts.
Disruptions were also caused by anonymous bomb threats to the customs office in Durban and the Carlton Centre Branch office in Johannesburg. These offices were evacuated and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted security searches. SAPS will conduct further investigations.
SARS views these as intimidation tactics against non-striking workers. The Public Service Association (PSA) has notified its members in writing that any further strike action has been suspended, pending further talks between the union and SARS.
SARS will also continue to engage NEHAWU on a bi-lateral basis. SARS stands by its decision of yesterday that no further concessions will be made to the current proposal of a nine to eleven percent wage increase. SARS will also continue to apply the no-work-no-pay-rule and will continue to employ all measures necessary to protect non-striking staff and taxpayers against threats of intimidation.
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
9 September 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
