Cosatu Says Govts Wage Bill Not Bloated

COSATU has dismissed as false, the long-standing assertion of a bloated public sector wage bill , as workers look to the upcoming budget for relief.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will have to walk a tight rope when he delivers his 2025 budget tomorrow.

But government workers want an expansion of the allocation towards the public service. Last years Mid-Term Budget made provision for a 4.7 percent wage increase but government earlier this year tabled a 5.5 percent salary increase for 2025 as their final offer for consideration by the workers.

COSATUs Matthew Parks says not enough is being done to protect workers against a tough economy, "Its a myth that the bill is bloated or the public service wage bill is out of control. 1994 we had 34 million African citizens, with about 1.2 million public servants. Today, the population is nearly doubled to 60 million South African citizens and the public service head count remains about 1.2 million with about 70 000 vacancies.

In fact, what we are seeing is that the rising is a rising ratio of health work to patients, of teachers to learners of police officers to society. And that really makes it very difficult for public services, public service provide the good of what society depends upon. It really puts public service at stretching points. We have a nurse covering for two or three vacancies. You have doctors working 48-hour shifts."