EXCLUSIVE: Ayanda Dlodlo warns public-sector wage bill could cripple government
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. Salaries for public servants have been growing at rates higher than inflation and consumed 35% of expenditure in 2017, up from 32.9% in 2007. In 2018, public servants are set to receive above-inflation wage increases of between 6% and 7%. Although public-sector unions are yet to sign the agreement, the government can implement it unilaterally after 30 days. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union was the only union to sign the draft agreement on Monday. Four other unions rejected the proposed agreement, while five are still consulting their members for mandates. The government had budgeted 7.3% for wage hikes. If you are already a subscriber, please click on the following link below to go to the full article: Public-sector wage bill out of con...
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