Batho Pele House - PretoriaTuesday, 17 August 2010Government notes with concern the rejection of the employers revised wage offer by labour as represented in the Public Service Coordinating and Bargaining Council (PSCBC) and their consequent announcement to embark on an indefinite strike.The engagement between government and the leadership of the unions has to date been characterised by commitment, transparency and accountability on the part of the employer. The employer has prioritised the negotiations with a determination to bring closure to the 2010/11 wage negotiations to ensure a further focus on the service delivery imperative of the state. The total contribution by the employer on the revised offer amounts to a 9.4% wage increase for public servants at salary levels 1 to 10 and 8.5% for salary levels 11 and 12. The increase is inclusive of a 7% wage increase, a 0.9% increase on housing allowance amounting to R700 per month and a 1.5% annual pay progression which 90% of employees within service qualify.Issues that government has committed to responding to in the second phase of negotiations scheduled for October 2010 include the matters of the improvement of housing allowance and/or subsidy and the equalisation of medical aid subsidy. Matters for further collective engagement include the need to review our remuneration policy; the synchronisation of salary negotiations with the Government Budget cycle; the return to April as the implementation month for salary settlement; the building of a sustainable capacity in our negotiators; as well as the introduction of a multi-term focus in salary negotiations.The employer remains committed to resolving the wage deadlock with labour and will continue in our engagement in an open and transparent manner. Whilst government recognises the right of employees to strike, we call on all employees embarking in the action to adhere to the rules of engagement. Employees are also cautioned against the intimidation of non-striking public servants. Government condemns the disruptive protests witnessed over the past few days with stringent measures to be taken against employees that violate the code of good practice.As public servants embark on the indefinite strike, government reiterates that the No Work, No Pay principle will be strictly and timeously enforced with deductions effected in the month of the strike action (where possible) and no later than the next month.Issued by the Ministry for Public Service and AdministrationFor more information contact:Dumisani Nkwamba: 082 885 9448/ 012 336 1704Lebohang Mafokosi: 082 312 4641/ 012 336 1017