Fin24 reports that as unions representing workers at the SA Revenue Service (SARS) resume talks on wages to end their strike, the position of the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) appears to be softening.

The two unions announced a full-blown national strike at SARS last month. But the PSA suspended its strike last week pending talks with the employer, while Nehawu has referred matters to its membership for a mandate to resume negotiations or continue striking. Unions are demanding a CPI plus 7% increase in wages, which SARS claims it cannot afford. SARS has offered to channel an undisclosed amount from its 2021 budgetary savings towards salaries, but the unions have rejected this, saying it would not amount to a meaningful salary increase. According to SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko, while the agency was not at 100% capacity, all operations continued as normal for the tax body. PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka said the union would hold meetings with the employer to find a semblance of common ground and that labour was prepared to take its time in that regard. Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolisi indicated: "There are no new developments or updates other than that we are continuing with our strike while talks between the union and SARS are unfolding." Talks between labour and SARS are expected to continue on Wednesday.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24

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