By Thokozani Mazibuko
In a Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF) held on Wednesday, tensions rose as civil servants made a bold demand for a 7.2 percent wage increase, while the government proposed a mere 3 percent raise.
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) disclosed this through Secretary General, Loti Vilakati in the organisation’s official Facebook Page.
“As we have reported that we are going to the negotiation table with our sister unions. Government has made an offer of 3 per cent which she said she can afford while the Unions tabled an offer of 7.2 per cent,” Vilakati said.
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According to Vilakati there are several factors which they observe before they table any offer.
“We look at the inflation, cost of electricity and many things before we make a demand.
We are going back to the table next week and we hope the Government will succumb to our demand as Civil Servants,” Vilakati pointed out.
The demand for a substantial wage increases stems from the civil servants’ desire for fair compensation considering the rising cost of living.
With inflation on the rise and economic pressures mounting, civil servants argue that a 3 percent increase would not be sufficient to meet their basic needs and adequately support their families.
During the negotiations, representatives from various civil servant unions passionately articulated their grievances and emphasized the importance of recognizing their invaluable contributions to the nation.
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They stressed that civil servants play a vital role in upholding the smooth functioning of essential public services, such as education, healthcare, and administration.
It is worth noting that the government, too, faces a challenging dilemma.
While it must balance the budget and ensure financial stability, it cannot afford to ignore the legitimate concerns of civil servants, whose dedication and hard work are essential for the nation’s progress.
The Joint Negotiation Forum is set to reconvene in the coming weeks, with hopes that both parties can find common ground and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
The outcome of these negotiations will not only impact the lives of civil servants but will also have far-reaching consequences for the public at large.
