The Sunday Independent reports that Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu has indicated that he would stick to the government programme of trimming the public service and cutting the wage bill.  

However, he insisted that his department would work with all stakeholders in the public sector, including unions.  The public sector wage bill has been increasing over the years and stands at over R500 billion, but labour federation Cosatu has warned that it would not allow retrenchments in the sector.  Mchunu observed that the issue of the public sector wage bill was just one of the hiccups he would encounter and that he would work with the unions.  “There is no way I can walk away from the unions.  Not only must we work closely ... we must forge common objectives,” he indicated.  Mchunu also said he wanted stability in the public service, as this had been lacking in the sector for some time, viz.:  “I know from what we have been observing, we do need greater stability in the public service.  There are many disruptions in the form of strikes and work stoppages, and it affects governance.  The public service is an important vehicle for government to fulfil its mission.”

• Read the full original of Loyiso Sidimba’s report on this story at Independent News
• Read too, Mchunu ready to face public sector challenges, at SowetanLive

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