Public Service and Administration Acting Director-General, Ms Linda Dludla, says the adjustment of the Determination and Directive on Danger Allowance will be implemented with effect from July 1 of each year based on the projected CPI as at 1 April of that year.
In a circular she sent to heads of national, provincial departments and provincial administrations, Ms Dludla also apologised for the delay in finalising the adjustment, indicating that the unfortunate delay was, however, beyond the DPSA’s control.
She said the Determination and Directive applies to the employer and the employees who are employed by the state; and fall within the registered of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).
The Acting DG said the provision of the Standard and Special Danger Allowances shall exclude staff employed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995.
The occupational categories and payment of the danger allowance to employees take into account:
- The nature of their duties and the work environment;
- The nature and extent of the risk to which they are exposed;
- The frequency of the risk; the health and safety and/or precautionary measures the employer has implemented to mitigate the risks;
- If mitigation measures are in place, the degree to which the risk could be mitigated.
- If not mitigated or partially mitigated the reasons that the risk persists and the degree to which it continues to present a genuine life-threatening risk to the employee; and
- Substantive motivation provided by the employer where the risks cannot be mitigated through safety and/or precautionary measures.
Provision of the danger allowance
The employer shall pay the Standard Danger Allowance to an employee who in the course of her/his employment experience a genuine risk to her/his life. This applies to employees in the following occupational categories and identified areas at work:
- Traffic/Regulatory Inspectors;
- Centre-based Correctional Officers guarding prisoners;
- Social Workers, Social Auxiliary Workers, Youth Workers, Probation Workers, Nursing Personnel, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Vocational Counsellors and Health Related Workers, working with prisoners, people held in Child and Youth Care Centres as well as people on parole.
- Nurses working with psychiatric patients;
- Educationists working with prisoners;
- Nature Conservationists involved in law enforcement and investigations;
- Identified categories of Immigration Officers;
- Centre-Based artisans working with prisoners; and
- Mine Health and Safety Inspectors.
Part of the circular read: “the employer shall pay the Special Danger Allowance to an employee who works in the Department of Correctional Services and is involved in duties that require direct contact with maximum security prisoners; and is part of the Reaction Unit.”
Special or Standard Danger Allowance
On a monthly basis if they experience a genuine risk to their lives each and every time they undertake their duties at the following rates:
- Standard Danger Allowance: R499.00 pm;
- Special Danger Allowance: R746.00 pm;
If the employee qualifies for both the Standard and Special Danger Allowances, she or he may receive both simultaneously.
The employer shall pay a danger allowance on the date an eligible employee receive her or his salary. However, the employer shall stop paying the allowance when the employee stops being eligible.