ANA reports that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) closed several of its branches on Thursday after employees went on strike across the country to press for higher wages.
Thousands of workers affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and the Public Servants Association (PSA) downed tools demanding an 11.5% increase. SARS is offering 7%. The employees have rejected a proposal put forward by the CCMA of an 8% increase across the board. Nehawu spokesperson Khaya Xaba said workers would not back down on their demands. According to the tax agency, it has put necessary contingency measures in place to minimise the disruption to taxpayer services across its branches and ports of entry. But, the strike could disrupt customs operations at national ports of entry and enable the flow of drugs and illicit goods. An Airports Company of SA (Acsa) spokesperson could not immediately indicate whether or not SARS officials at airports had been instructed not to join the strike as these were national key points.
- Read the full original of Siphelele Dludla’s report on the strike at Business Report
- Read too, Workers go on strike at SARS, at Independent News
And also, SARS closes several branches as workers down tools, at Fin24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page