Question NW1150 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
14 May 2018 - NW1150
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1) What is the (a) nature and (b) current status of the settlement agreement, Resolution 1/2016, which was entered into between the Department of Correctional Services and trade unions in November 2016; (2) (a) what payments (i) have been made and (ii) are scheduled to be made to beneficiaries in terms of the specified resolution and (b) in each case, what is the (i) date and (ii) total amount in Rand of the payments; (3) (a) by what date does he expect to have fulfilled all the terms of the specified agreement and (b) what are the relevant details of his plans in this regard?
Reply:
(1) (a) The nature of the Settlement Agreement is to address the outstanding matters connected with the Correctional Officials Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) 2nd Phase experience recognition for the production salary levels 03 to 08 that emanated from General Public Services Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) Resolution 2 of 2009.
(b) The collective agreement allows for a multi-year implementation of back pay amounts. The Department has already paid 17% of the back pay amount owed to fourteen thousand two hundred and ninety (14290) qualifying correctional officials, and 6% back amounts to twelve thousand three hundred and sixty five (12365) qualifying correctional officials respectively. With regard to the six thousand three hundred and six (6306) qualifying correctional officials who terminated services, the Department has initiated an audit to determine the debt owed to them in relation to the OSD Departmental Bargaining Chamber settlement agreement. To date a total of three thousand two hundred and seven cases (3207) have been audited and submitted for payment. The agreed 4% payments which are due in the 2018/2019 financial year for both serving and terminated officials are scheduled for payment during the 2nd quarter starting July 2018 of the current financial year.
(2) (a):
(i) The 17% owed to qualify officials plus 6% of the staggered payment have been paid.
(ii) 4% payments are scheduled to be made to serving officials during the 2nd quarter of the current financial year (2018/2019)
27% (17% + 6%+ 4%) payments are scheduled to be made to ex officials during the 2nd quarter of the current financial year (2018/2019)
(2) (b):
(i) The 17% payments were made during June 2017 and October 2017.
6% payments were made during February 2018.
4% to serving officials as well as 27% to ex-officials are scheduled to be paid during the 2nd quarter of the current financial year (2018/2019).
(ii) R57, 463 574.00 already paid to serving officials.
An estimated amount of R71 million is to be paid to both serving and ex-officials (4% for serving officials and 27% to ex-officials back log).
(3) (a) as agreed in the Settlement Agreement it is expected to conclude this matter not later than 31st March 2020.
(b) Utilization of a task team to oversee payments centrally on a continuous basis and assist/ guide regions with all relevant administrative processes to conclude the remaining 3% payments in the 2019/2020 financial year.