Civil servants to get once-off allowance by September, no date yet for increase

• Government has reiterated its commitment to implementing a public service wage deal reached with unions in July.
• The deal included a 1.5% wage increase for employees who did not qualify for a pensionable increase.
• The deal includes a non-pensionable once-off allowance ranging between R1 220 and R1 695.

The Department of Public Service and Administration on Thursday reiterated its commitment to the wage agreement it reached with the majority of unions at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council last month.

It promised to pay out the promised cash allowance by mid-September, though no date was given for the promised salary adjustment. 

The deal would be implemented as soon as possible, Public Service and Administration director-general Yoliswa Makhasi said.

The agreement includes a 1.5% wage increase for employees who did not qualify for a pensionable increase and a non-pensionable once-off allowance ranging between R1 220 and R1 695 on a sliding scale.

Tense and protracted negotiations, which concluded in July, saw the latest offer rejected by police unions, accepted by two teacher unions and accepted by all unions under the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa).

• READ | Public wage offer becomes done deal with majority of unions on board

Makhasi said there would be a payment of a non-pensionable monthly cash allowance from 1 April 2021 to be implemented on or before 15 September 2021, and a once-off pensionable salary adjustment of at least 1.5% to employees who do not qualify for a pensionable increase.

"The implementation of the once-off 1.5% pensionable salary adjustment will be dealt with separately and will be communicated as soon as possible," said Makhasi.

• READ | Third big union accepts public sector wage offer

Makhasi reassured public servants that the department's officials were working tirelessly to ensure smooth delivery on the agreed commitments.

"We would like to thank public servants for their patience during the negotiations and remain highly appreciative for the service that they continue to provide, in making a difference to the lives of citizens, especially the poorest of the poor, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic," she said.

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