BREAKING NEWS – SARS employees at loggerheads with the employer

South African Revenue Services (Sars) employees who are members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) joined a national strike when they gathered at the Polokwane Offices Today (Thursday).
They demand, among others, single term salary Increment of 11,4% from the tabled 8%.
They further want SARS to compensate them for recognised improved qualifications in the form 1% increase as well as 10% bonus. “Employees want the revision of long service performance bonus policy to be reviewed and finalised. They want the introduction of a three year cycle family responsibility leave. Sars must reverse the withdrawal of the benefits withdrawn by the employer during negotiations in December 2018. Those benefits must all be reinstated,” Nehawu Provincial Secretary, Jacob Adams said.
He added that the union shall not settle for anything less and shall wage a relentless war on behalf of its members until all their demands are fully met by Sars. “Employee’s morale is at its lowest at a critical time for Sars. Employees benefits are constantly been withdrawn in order to circumvent the uninformed financial decision Sars. There’s consistent attempt on undermining the Employment Equity in order to justify the current increase on the already bloated management structure and or figures. It cannot be that its workers on the ground must suffer when they demand decent wages and Senior Management continues enjoying the benefits that they currently have”.
He said that all their SARS offices will be closed until their demands are met. “We have already closed all the Sars offices in Beitbridge, Polokwane, Thohoyandou and Lebowakgomo. They will open for business when our demands are met.”

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
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