S. African Ruling Party Calls Emergency Talks on State Wages

The National Treasury proposed in the budget on Wednesday that pay increases, benefits and promotions for the nation’s 1.3 million civil servants be limited, with a view to saving the state 160 billion rand ($10.4 billion) over the next three fiscal years. Unions rejected the move, saying workers shouldn’t be made to pay for the government’s failure to spur growth and contain its debt.

The African National Congress’s national working committee will convene on March 2 to discuss the matter, according to two senior party members who spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to comment. Leaders of the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party, which form part of the country’s ruling coalition, will later join the talks, they said.

The plans to curb personnel costs came as a surprise to many within the ANC, who fear the move will cost the party support in next year’s municipal elections, the party members said. ANC spokesman Pule Mabe confirmed the committee meeting, but declined to say what would be discussed.

Mathew Parks, Cosatu’s parliamentary coordinator, confirmed that the federation will attend the meeting. He said the matter will also be raised at a meeting of the executives of the National Economic Development and Labour Council, a forum for business and labor to discuss matters with government, and the Treasury on Friday.

“Gloves are off if necessary,” he said.

South Africa’s state wage bill has surged 40% more than inflation over the past 12 years and accounts for more than a third of total government spending. National Treasury Director-General Dondo Mogajane said Wednesday the plan to cut the state-wage bill is expected to result in lower pay increases, rather than reduced remuneration.