Cape Town — The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is in negotiations with the government as it looks to get double-digit salary increases for workers by next year.
Cosatu spokesperson, Khaya Sodidi, said the union has consulted with other unions and, taking into consideration increases from previous years, the union will demand a double-digit salary increase for government employees, he told Newzroom Afrika.
He said Cosatu conducted research and did a study for the past four years to look at the increase the public sector received, and what he found was that government employees’ increases have been under-inflation, and said Eskom has increased salaries by 7%.
He said that post-Coivd-19, the government did not increase salaries, while there were only marginal increases of 3.3% in 2023/2024 and 4.7% in 2024/2025.
“Our studies show that the government employees have really not been receiving real increases if you have to compare with the running away inflation and then food prices, petrol, and so on,” he said.
He said Cosatu discussed the study and developed a consulting document for their members to look at and give a mandate. He said the discussions were that they would be demanding a double-digit salary increase, but discussions are still ongoing. They are set to meet on 16 August.
Cosatu and public sector unions are wrapping up consultations as formal wage talks are set to start. Cosatu convener Khaya Sodidi says unions will be demanding a double-digit salary increase for government employees.
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According to BusinessTech, Cosatu’s demands echo those of other workers unions, who have called for bigger increases than has been offered. The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) recently demanded a 15% wage increase, and for workers to be provided with stands to build houses.
The South African Local Government Bargaining Council offered municipal workers a 3.75% wage increase, which SAMWU rejected. They have come down on their demands and are now looking for an 8% increase.
According to a report by the Centre for Risk Analysis, the country’s current wage bill stands at R721 billion per year, counting for 30% of the country’s budget. An increase of R313 billion in 10 years.
The report cited that South Africa has the third-highest government wage bill as a share of GDP with a smaller economy, yet a bigger share of GDP than countries such as the USA, UK, Australia and Japan.
Sodidi shrugged off the concerns and said there is money for wage increases but there are issues of corruption and missing money, meaning less money for service delivery and employee remuneration.
He added that their arguments for a bloated wage bill were ironic considering the bloated cabinet of 32 ministers and 43 deputies.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
