The SARS workers’ wage strike continued in Alberton.
Employees affiliated with the Public Service Association and NEHAWU have rejected the revised offer of around 1.39%, after initially demanding a 12% increase. The strike has affected all SARS offices.
SARS has conceded that its workers’ ongoing strike has caused serious disruptions to its operations.
SARS appealed to staff to remain peaceful in their protest and to respect picketing rules as specified in the CCMA Picketing Rules issued.
It said it remained empathetic to financial challenges faced by its staff as a result of increasing food and fuel prices as well as other essential services.
The PSA’s Claude Naicker said workers have no alternative but to strike, despite disruptions to the tax collection season.
In a statement, SARS said it was forced to close multiple branches, including five in Gauteng, three in KwaZulu-Natal, four in the Western Cape, three in the Eastern Cape and one each in Mpumalanga, the Free State and the Northern Cape.
It encouraged taxpayers filing tax returns to make use of its digital services, including e-filing.
“SARS apologises for any inconvenience caused but due to industrial action taking place across SARS, we are experiencing delays in servicing our taxpayers. Please continue to make use of our digital services during this time,” the statement read.
Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolisi said the strike action at SARS kicked off “quite well” with members coming out in numbers at demonstrations across various SARS offices.
“We will be having demonstrations through picketing in offices of SARS and we will not be rendering any services until the employer offers something tangible to our members and workers at SARS,” said Nkolisi.
