PROTEST action is ongoing in Durban’s Central Business District as South African Revenue Service (SARS) employees continue to fight for a 12% salary increase. Through negotiations, the proposed increase of 1.3% has increased to 1.5% since protest action erupted on July 12.
Mlungisi Ndlovu, provincial manager for Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA), said an increase of 1.5% would equate to R100 or less for some employees.
“The strike has not been resolved. PSA members have rejected a 1.5% salary increment offer from the employer. We are now working on the way forward. A memorandum has been sent to the president to intervene. We are calling upon staff to be reasonable and give our members a better offer. We are willing to negotiate. No one can live with 1.5% – this would equate to about R100 extra which is nothing,” said Ndlovu.
According to Ndlovu, some SARS employees, such as cleaning staff, earn around R5 000 per month, working from 07.30 until 16:00, while others earn up to R400 000 per annum.
In a media statement released on July 27, SARS said it does not determine its own budget but relies on funding allocation from the National Treasury. “It is within this context that SARS commenced negotiations with its partners in labour,” said SARS.
After engaging with organised labour, SARS proposed an across-the-board increase of 1.5% for permanent employees in the bargaining unit, backdated to 1 April 2022.
“The slight adjustment to the across-the-board proposal is possibly due to projected savings from a delay in recruitment against an initial plan. In the spirit of transparency and a commitment to resolving the dispute, SARS management has decided to allocate the savings towards the increased salary proposal,” said SARS.
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There are several conditions in place with the adjusted increase.
“Should the broader public sector negotiations be resolved at an increase of higher than the 1.5%, National Treasury will make additional funding available towards the settlement agreement. SARS will be guided by this and adjust its offer to its employees to be on equal terms,” said SARS.
In the statement, SARS acknowledged the rising cost of living and expressed its gratitude to employees.
“SARS remains empathetic to the plight of many South Africans, including our own employees, who face economic hardships and rising prices of food and fuel,” said SARS.
The service provider also condemned violent strike action.
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“With concern, SARS has noted various isolated incidents of intimidation and violence committed by some strikers, and it will take necessary action against the strikers that are violating its code of conduct, and/or those who have broken the law,” said SARS.
Services continue online
For Durban Central resident Aphiwe Mthembu, a trip to SARS to complete her tax refund proved fruitless on July 25.
“When I got there, the SARS office was closed. Protesters were sitting on camp chairs outside; they were not making any noise. At 15:00, they left. There were 50 people. I’m still struggling to get my tax refund done. I just went there because I was free. I will have to go back another day,” said Mthembu.
SARS said it has put contingency measures in place to mitigate the negative impact on services.
“We thank taxpayers for their patience during this challenging period, and apologise unreservedly for any delayed response to service requests. We request taxpayers and traders, as far as possible, to avoid coming to SARS branches but to instead continue to interact with SARS through our self-help digital channels,” said SARS.
Access SARS e-filing services via the website : www.sars.gov.za.
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