Government cannot currently comment on the impasse regarding talks around the public wage bill, the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu said earlier today.
The minister, who announced risk-adjusted measures in the public service in response to Covid-19 during a briefing this morning, responded to a question in this regard.
Many of the country’s 1,2 million public service workers continue to provide essential services during the lockdown, while salary increases promised by government had not been paid by 15 April. The state intends to renege on a three-year wage agreement which was entered into in 2018, of which the first workers should have received payment by this date. It has since stated to that it wants to review this agreement.
“The wage bill, as sensitive as the issue is, is now under dispute by organised labour. As such, the matter remains sub judice and we are not at liberty to comment on the progress,” he said.
Mchunu said that during the lockdown, public servants in various field continued to render services in among others, the field of health, defence, immigration and safety, the minister said.
The current position the country finds itself in, he said, would test the capability of the state to the maximum. “We are hard at work looking at the state’s current capabilities in a number of areas to assess, adjust and adapt our operations for the future to deliver optimal services during this pandemic.”
He said it remained important to plan for the gradual normalisation of the public service.
During this transition between the lockdown levels, the focus of the public service is to ensure the provision of services required for the effective functioning of the government and to ensure support for all sectors that will become active during the various levels.
He said the department has issued several circulars in relation to a staggered return to work, and has formed steering committees to monitor the implementation of departmental strategies, risk assessments, workplace procedures and systems to counter the spread of the virus.
Not all Public Service employees are able to return to work immediately, but for those who can, the necessary measures will be taken to ensure their well-being.
In line with a recent circular issued to DGs and HOD’s, the minister announced that:
- departments must develop a schedule for a staggered return of the workforce which will assist in managing the number of employees at the workplace at the same time to maintain service and business continuity;
- this schedule must be disseminated to all employees and relevant sectors in support of the restart of the economy;
- DGs and HOD’s must ensure that employees who are required to be at the workplace be issued with the requisite permit authorising travel for work purposes;
- To limit the number of employees arriving, leaving or working at the same time, DG’s and HOD’s should consider amending working times to minimise the risk associated with the simultaneous arrival and departure of employees;
- To reduce the number of employees at the same time in common areas, such as kitchens and canteens, the staggering of employees’ meal intervals should be considered.
In terms of remote work arrangements, certain employees will be able to work from home, and the necessary arrangements in terms of data reimbursements will have to be made. Workers who do work from home, he said, might be required from time to time to attend the workplace, to among others, receive instructions, documentation, access office infrastructure and to submit completed tasks.
Ahead of the re-opening of all departments, thorough cleaning of the workplace will have to be undertaken; temperature screening for each employee; mandatory wearing of cloth masks at all times in the workplace by non-medical personnel and the strategic placing of hand sanitiser.
According to the minister, all employees whose operational requirements require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should at all times be provided with such.
He said where services are available online, government urges citizens to utilise online services so as to lessen physical interaction and minimise the risk associated with the transmission of Covid-19.
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