Question NW2936 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
22 September 2023 - NW2936
Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether the National Treasury has undertaken any analysis to determine the extent of possible disparities in the salary scales for males and females who occupy similar positions in the senior management service in the Government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Regulation 89(1) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 provides that the Minister for the Public Service and Administration shall, in terms of section 3(5) of the Public Service Act, 1994, annually make determinations regarding the cost-to-employer packages applicable to members of the SMS. Such determinations shall be implemented with effect from 1 April of each year. The determination by the MPSA provides for four salary levels, i.e., salary level 13 (Directors) to 16 (Director-General). These salary levels (scales) are uniformly applied for all employees, irrespective of gender and/or race, etc. Therefore, the basis for the application of these requirements is meeting the minimum requirements for appointment into the Public Service in line with the Regulations and relevant determinations/directives.
Sub-Regulation 44(1) of the Public Service Regulations states that an “Executive Authority may set the salary of an employee above the minimum notch of the salary level indicated by the job weight…..”. In this regard, all appointments are remunerated at the minimum notch of the applicable level, unless the appointed employee meets all the requirements in terms of Regulation 44 of the Public Service Regulations.
End