https://www.moneyweb.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2012-03-07T120000Z_912279711_GM1E8371RN901_RTRMADP_3_SAFRICA-STRIKE-555x690.jpg — Members of the Congress of South African Trade Unions. Image: Rogan Ward, Reuters

Cosatu says SA seeks to cut 30 000 state jobs, freeze pay

That’s part of the state’s proposal to reduce its wage bill, according to the union.

14 Feb 2020, 15:47 by Prinesha Naidoo, Bloomberg

The South African government is seeking to cut 30 000 state jobs and freeze pay increases for three years, according to the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

That’s part of the state’s proposal to reduce its wage bill, which makes up 35.4% of national spending. President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday his administration is engaging with labour and other stakeholders on measures to contain the spending on salaries and reduce wastage. There are about 1.3 million government workers.

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni would announce plans to reduce spending in the February 26 budget, Ramaphosa said.

“We’re not going to entertain those” proposals, said Sizwe Pamla, the spokesman for Cosatu, the country’s biggest labour federation. “Government has a right to engage with its employees but government doesn’t have the right to its own slaves.”