Sassa and Home Affairs offices to be affected by PSA strike

POLOKWANE – The Public Service Association’s (PSA) recent planned march, has necessiated the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) to revise its 5% wage increase offer, as opposed to the employee’s call for 7,5%.

The association in the province last Wednesday said internet services at various government departments and state agencies, including the South African Social Security Agency and Home Affairs offices would be disrupted until further notice as their members were on strike.

This, after Sita employees, an entity responsible for the provision of Information technology (IT) services to government, went on strike on the day in the city along Market street, demanding a 7.5% wage increase.

At the time, PSA provincial manager John Teffo said the majority of these employees in the province were members of the association, and that none of them would return to work until the demands have been met.

Digital Technologies Minister Mondli Gungubele said he could not intervene in a labour matter between the PSA representing the employees and Sita as the employer.

Gungubele’s department also said it was assured by Sita that plans were afoot to ensure that key operations would be protected from any adverse consequences should employees exercise their constitutional right to protest.

Employees, however, returned to work temporarily after the employer proposed an increased offer on the day employees planned to protest.

“In a last effort to prevent any further industrial action, the employer presented a 5% increase across the board with effect April 1, 2023 which will be paid on October 25, a R8 326,45 once-off ex gratia payment as a ‘sweetener’ for each of the 3 103 Sita employees which will be paid next month,” the association’s recent feedback document read.

A meeting will be held with the union members some time this week, according to Teffo.

Should employees turn down the offer, strike may resume nationwide.