Government departments have been urged to implement contingency measures to deal with the planned nationwide socio-economic strike by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) on Thursday, 6 July.
In the latest circular to all Heads of Departments, the Department of Public Service and Administration Director-General, Ms Yoliswa Makhasi, said while the planned nationwide strike is protected, essential service workers are not allowed to participate in the protest.
COSATU has served NEDLAC with a notice to embark on socio-economic protest actions.
“According to the notice, the protest will amongst others, involve a National Stay-Away or Socio-economic Strike commencing on the 06th of July 2023 from 00:00 until 23:59.
The protest actions are protected in terms of section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995.
Since these are section 77 protest actions from the mentioned federation, workers in all sectors of the economy, including the public servants are allowed to participate in the strikes.
“Essential Service workers are, however not allowed to participate in the strikes/ protest actions during their working hours. If they do participate, their participation will constitute misconduct.
“The principle of “No Work, No Pay” must be applied by departments. The principle should apply for the absence of a full day as well as part of a working day,” said Ms Makhasi.
The Director-General also emphasised that departments that do not implement the deductions will be in violation of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999.
“The “No Work, No Pay” must be effected in the month of the protest, if possible, but not later than the next month after the protest action.
“No leave should be granted for purposes of participation in strikes/protest actions. “Leave should only be granted under the leave regulations, such as for leave purposes in terms of the regulations and not for protest action,” she said.
In relation to reporting on the strike action, departments are requested to provide the DPSA with the following information:
- The number of employees participating in the protest action for the duration of the protest, and the impact thereof, on the activities of the department, by 10:00 on the day of the protest action.
- An update of the above information by 15:00 on the same day; and
- A comprehensive report within three (3) days of the strike action.
