Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


South Africa Union and Government Officials to Meet over Wage Dispute

   Peter Clottey 11 August 2010
   Jacob Zuma

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

   South Africa President Jacob Zuma

   The  spokesman for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
   told  VOA  his  group will demand a bigger pay increase at a scheduled
   meeting with senior government officials Thursday.

   Patrick  Craven  said  there  is  a  need  for  President Jacob Zumaâs
   government to improve upon its previous pay offer.

   âThe  strike has been suspended while we wait to see what he (Minister
   Richard  Baloyi)  proposes  at  a  meeting  which is being held today,
   Thursday  at  6pm, South African time. And, we obviously all hope that
   he  will  come  up with some big improvements in the government offer,
   which can be recommended to the membership for acceptance,â he said.

   COSATU  reportedly suspended a nationwide strike after Richard Baloyi,
   the  Public  Service and Administration Minister, called for a meeting
   to negotiate with officials of the trade unions over their demands.

   On  Tuesday, an estimated one million public service workers went on a
   one-day strike to press home their demand for a pay increase.

   The  workers want an 8.6 percent pay raise, about a double the current
   inflation  rate  of  4.2  per  cent, as well as a 1,000 rand ($137.22)
   monthly housing allowance.

   But,  the  South  African  government  offered the workers a 7 percent
   increase and 630 rand ($86.44) monthly housing allowance.

   Analysts  say  the  government  wants to avert a prolonged nation-wide
   strike   that  could  potentially  impede  South  Africaâs  burgeoning
   economy.

   Observers  say the ruling African National Congress Party (ANC), which
   draws  considerable  support  from  COSATU,  will  want to resolve the
   stalemate  ahead  of  the  partyâs  policy-setting  meeting  which  is
   scheduled for next month.

   COSATU spokesman Craven said the group stands by its demands.

   âThe  union  has always pushed any employer as far as possible and the
   government is no exception. We have, from the outset, not accepted the
   argument that there is no money available. This is the government that
   has  wasted  millions  of  rands  on  World  Cup  tickets  for its top
   officials  and  five-star  hotel  accommodations  for  the  government
   ministers and senior civil servants,â Craven said.

   He  also  said  that  the  government  has misplaced its priorities by
   spending  lavishly  on  senior government officials rather than paying
   reasonable wages to hard-working public sector employees.

.