LETTER: Public service fix
Wage bill is high because levels are determined by the unions in a tripartite alliance, which must be reviewed
Ayabonga Cawe tries to present the best case for a restructuring of the public service that does not involve a reduction in the overall headcount, but that focuses on more targeted interventions in the composition of the wage bill (“Wage bill cannot be cut without analysis (https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/columnists/2019-11-24-ayabonga-cawe-wage-bill-cannot-be-cut-without-full-analysis-of-public-service-job-levels/)”, November 25). Unfortunately, the suggested proposals remain vague and unrealistic.
The wage level at which public servants enter the state roll is already high by international standards, the way wages are set is determined by the powerful role of the unions in the state bargaining councils, and how incentives are used to bring skills to where they are needed most is subject to the vagaries of patronage and corruption...
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