HOPES THAT South Africa’s crippling public sector strike over low wages could soon be over were raised yesterday after the government revealed it tabled a new improved offer on Monday night for union officials to consider.
As the indefinite nationwide strike entered its third week, Dumisani Nkwamba, a spokesman for public service and administration minister Richard Baloyi, told reporters that workers had been offered a 7.5 per cent wage increase and an €85 monthly housing allowance.
“We hope [the wage offer will be accepted],” he said, before adding “the unions are consulting with their members and the government has called on them to expedite the process”.
Until President Jacob Zuma forced his ministers back to the negotiating table on Monday in an effort to break the deadlock, the government had indicated it could not afford more than a 7 per cent wage increase and a €75 monthly housing allowance.
Trade unions, however, led by labour federation the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), had refused the offer, indicating they would not accept anything less than an 8.6 per cent pay rise and a €104 housing allowance.
Despite it falling short of their demands, a number of the striking unions yesterday welcomed the government’s new offer.
The 245,000-strong National Education Health Allied Workers Union said it was “encouraged”, and would inform the government by tomorrow of their members’ decision.
“We are encouraged that government has at last decided to go back to the negotiating table, because we should all be focusing on the much needed service delivery,” the union said.
The indefinite strike by the country’s 1.3 million public sector workers has been a chaotic and sometimes violent affair, as protesters on picket lines have used intimidation as a tactic against essential service employees who wanted to work.
Many schools were forced to close, and at least 57 state hospitals only managed to provide essential medical services because of the help provided by teams of army doctors and nurses who were dispatched to replace striking healthcare workers.
The new improved offer has come as no surprise to many analysts, as aside from adversely affecting economic growth, the industrial action has damaged the relationship between Cosatu and President Zuma’s African National Congress party.
The ruling party has been under pressure to reach a deal to appease its governing ally in organised labour, as Mr Zuma needs their support to secure a second term in office.
However, ending the strike is in the best interest of everyone.
Striking workers have been losing income by the day, as they are subject to a “no work, no pay” rule.
But if public sector workers accept the latest offer, there may still be a sting in the tail for the government.
The early indications are that other unions are keen to use this offer – which is twice the rate of inflation – as a minimum benchmark for future wage negotiations.