Cape Town — For the next three years, Parliament will double the salaries of its lowest-paid full-time staff, including cleaners, waiters and cooks.
The salary increases mean the workers will now go from earning R170 000 per year to R340 000 per year by 2026, and would mean surpassing the salary for entry-level teachers and police officers, IOL reported.
The increase comes following negotiations between Parliament and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu). Previously, these workers were outsourced by Parliament to work on contracts and, when Parliament did not renew service providers’ contracts in 2018, they became permanent employees, earning just over R14 000 per month.
The new salary adjustments means the workers will now earn more than R28 000 per month come March 2026.
According to BusinessTech, the average salary of a South African Police Services (SAPS) officer is R299 000 per year or R24 915 per month for the employees with the lowest skill levels, while the starting salary for entry-level teachers is R154 671 per year, or R12 889 per month.
As a police officer I really need that cleaning job or tea making at the parliament,it is better to earn that good salary of 350 k per annum than to be exposed to R5 rifles and Aks,than earn these less than 300 k salary per annum, please plug me guys
— Boykie sekgweleo (@BoykieSekgweleo) November 12, 2024
The increase would mean the Parliamentary staff will earn more than the average non-agricultural professionals in the private sector, who average R27 450 per month.
This disparity has raised concerns among critics who argue that Parliament’s revised pay scale for these positions could create imbalances within the broader public service.
Parliament has defended the increase and said it was a case of rectifying past inequities. According to Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said the adjustments address previous disparities between contracted workers absorbed into staff roles and permanent employees working under existing salary scales.
He said the new salary alignment eliminates the “unjust dual system” and ensures all entry-level employees receive a uniform payment.
He said Parliament was committed to equitable treatment and the alignment reflects a deeper commitment to workplace equality.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
