The South African government has dismissed the 12% wage increase demanded by public-sector workers, stating that it is unaffordable.
According to Frikkie de Bruin, the general secretary of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council, the South African government proposed a 3% raise.
De Bruin clarified that satisfying the workers’ demands would require 140 billion Rand ( $7.83 billion), which he said is out of budget.
De Bruin stated that the South African government urged labour unions representing public-sector workers to rethink their decision and try alternative approaches to their demands.
The workers’ demands include a 2,500 Rand increase in their housing allowance and an increase in their danger allowance from 597 Rand to 1,000 Rand.
De Bruin mentioned that the parties plan to discuss this during marathon negotiations, which will be held from the first week of October through mid-October, ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s mid-term budget update, expected on Oct. 30.