BusinessLive reports that in a move that could see it clashing with trade unions, the government is considering implementing drastic spending cuts across the public service, including extending a pay freeze to all public servants.  

Tabling the revised national ministerial handbook, which regulates the benefits and perks of public office bearers, public service & administration minister Senzo Mchunu said the government acknowledged that it must lead by example and demonstrate its commitment to addressing the problem of SA’s finances.  He said:  “We have taken the position of a freeze in our salaries and have also significantly reduced the benefits to the executive in terms of personnel in executive offices, travel, accommodation and security benefits, among others.  We will be engaging with the minister of finance, the relevant ministers of all entities, the relevant national and provincial legislatures and judiciary which all derive budgets from the fiscus to extend similar restrictions to their members and employees.”  The move could spark increased tensions with the unions, which have already argued that the government was doing nothing to protect jobs and narrow the wage gap.  Labour federation Cosatu said in October:  “We don’t support any pay freeze for lowly paid workers.  They can extend it to MPs and judges but not teachers, nurses and police officers.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive

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