EXCLUSIVE: Public-sector wage bill out of control, warns Ayanda Dlodlo
The public services and administration minister warns that critical services are in danger as state salaries hits 35% of expenditure
SA’s R587bn public-sector wage bill had shot through the ceiling and the government would have to cut back on critical services if it failed to rein in pay increases, Public Services and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said on Tuesday. Dlodlo told Business Day that the country’s future looked bleak if drastic measures were not taken to rein in the wage bill. She recalled how failure to deliver key services as a result of salaries had plunged other countries into chaos. "We’ve gone above the ceiling … it should be scary for South Africans, but maybe not to the unions. But to the general [population] that should be scary. "If you look at wages and think we take from grants to pay salaries, I don’t know what we will do on the day that our people revolt against government, its employees and political parties. It has happened in many other countries." She could not guarantee the government would not resort to freezing posts as she weighed different variables that could aid the cri...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.