Question NW2496 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
30 June 2023 - NW2496
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What steps does his department intend to take to (a) resolve the matter of the workers of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University who are said to have downed tools in protest over a 7% wage increase and (b) concede to the demands of the workers?
Reply:
(a) Wage negotiations and agreements take place within the Institutional Bargaining Forum, and the Minister may not intervene in wage negotiations. The University under the leadership of the Council must resolve the current deadlock using the various mechanisms available to them, including dispute resolution.
Section 34 (1) and (3) of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 (ACT), as amended which state the following:
(1) The council of a public higher education institution must appoint the employees of the public higher education institution.
(3) The council must determine the conditions of service, disciplinary provisions, privileges and functions of the employees of the public higher education institution, subject to the applicable labour law
(b) The ACT does not permit Minister to concede to the demands of staff at universities.