Question NW490 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
15 May 2020 - NW490
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether he intends to reduce the public sector wage bill by R37, 8 billion by 31 March 2021, as envisaged by the Minister of Finance, Mr T Mboweni; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what progress has been made in implementing measures to (a) reduce the public sector wage bill by R37, 8 billion by 31 March 2021 and (b) engage with labour unions that are opposed to these reductions?
Reply:
(a) Yes.
(b) Government’s position in this regard is to to slow down the growth of the public service wage bill as presented by the Minister of Finance in the 2020 Budget speech.
(c) The employer has tabled an agenda item, namely: Management of the Public Service Wage Bill for discussion with organised labour admitted to the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council on 25/02/2020 which is now following council processes.
(d) As indicated above, the employer is engaging with admitted trade unions at the PSCBC on the 2018 wage agreement and engagements are ongoing.