Sisulu calls for finalisation of wage negotiations

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has called on state negotiators and labour unions to return to the Bargaining Council to finalise the public sector wage negotiations as soon as possible.

Negotiations were put on hold to allow further consultations by parties after the state had tabled its revised offer of 6.7% from 6.5% and 2.5% on additional benefits. Unions are demanding 7.5%.

Sisulu noted that the State was negotiating within the limited resources available for salaries of public service, taking into consideration other competing demands of the state. 

"We are [working] to finalise the negotiations as a matter of urgency. We are in this together with the unions; we are all committed to serving the public and providing an excellent service to our people," Sisulu said.

"We want to finalise these negotiations to allow us to engage with our public servants and the unions on how best can we improve productivity and ensure that we lead in the fight against poverty," she added.

The minister also indicated that the state negotiators were available to resume negotiations from Monday, 2 July. - SAnews.gov.za