South African public servants are likely to accept the government\u2019s latest wage offer, according to an initial estimate of a ballot of labor-union members.<\/p>\n
Employee groups representing about 1.3 million government workers are currently seeking a mandate from their members to accept a 7.5% increase in their pay in the fiscal year that begins on April 1.<\/p>\n
The proposal includes a pensionable cash gratuity and excludes housing and medical insurance, Reuben Maleka, spokesman for the 235,000-member Public Servants Association (PSA), said in response to questions sent by text message on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreliminary results are positive,\u201d Maleka said.<\/p>\n
Wages account for about a third of government expenditure in South Africa, and keeping it in check is key to the National Treasury\u2019s efforts to contain runaway state debt. Ratings companies have flagged the wage bill as an ongoing risk to the nation\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n
Increasing pay for public servants on salary levels one to 12 by an average of 7% would cost an additional 35.8 billion rand ($1.94 billion) in the upcoming financial year, the Treasury said on March 16.<\/p>\n
Budget estimates released last month envisioned the compensation bill growing by an annual average of 2.1% over the six years through March 2026, down from 7.3% over the previous five-year period.<\/p>\n
The Treasury declined to comment.<\/p>\n
A separate agreement is being negotiated on housing allowances, while medical insurance is not part of the current round of talks, Maleka said.<\/p>\n