LETTER: Public-sector wages need to be negotiated by separate sectors
Regarding the protracted negotiations over public-sector wages and working conditions, (Public sector wage bill out of control, warns Ayanda Dlodlo, May 23), Theto Mahlakoana’s point stands that there is a real danger that the high wage bill crowds out expenditure on services to the public. In SA, salaries for public servants make up 35% of expenditure, whereas in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, it averaged 26% from 2000-08. Public servants earn more than their private-sector counterparts. In 2014, the average real monthly wage of a public-sector employee was R11,668 compared to R7,822 for a private-sector worker — 32% more. Entry-level wages have more than doubled in real terms since 1998, when the Public Sector Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) was established. One does not want to begrudge civil servants good wages, especially in view of the billions of rand raked off at the top through corruption and state capture. But there are tw...
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.