1 June 2007
There have been a number of media reports that essential service workers
will be working to a 'minimum service agreement.' We wish, once again, to put
it on record that there is no such agreement in place.
We also stress that in terms of the Labour Relations Act (Act 66 of 1995),
no essential service employee may embark on any industrial action.
This is confirmed in the Labour Court interdict issued on 31 May against the
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) affiliated unions which
prohibits the respondents from encouraging such actions and the members of the
unions from participating in such actions.
We commend the responsibility of the Public Service Association (PSA) and
Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union (Hospersa) who have given
written undertakings that essential service employees belong to these unions
will not participate in industrial action.
For further information, please contact:
Lewis Rabkin
Cell: 082 497 3220
Issued by: Ministry of Public Service and Administration
1 June 2007
