Fin24 reports that the public service wage strike has ended after trade unions and the government announced on Wednesday that they had reached a settlement. Neither the government nor unions disclosed the terms, which are still being processed.

The unions had being demanding a 10% increase. Before the strike, the government had offered a 3% increase plus an R1,000 cash gratuity. The strike saw public health services crippled in many areas, with patients left unattended and turned away from hospitals and clinics. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), the biggest public sector union involved in the strike, has called on its members to return to work. According to the union, the government has, among other things, agreed "to augment the increment" for the 2022/23 year. "The employer has agreed that residual and substantive matters emanating from 2022/2023 wage dispute related to the cost of living allowance shall be tabled and positively dealt with and concluded as part of 2023/2024 wage negotiations," it advised. In a statement, the Department of Public Service and Administration said: “The settlement agreement paves the way for the parties to return to the 2023/24 wage negotiations. As part of managing the return of all parties to the negotiations, a Special Council has been convened for today, 15 March 2023, to receive the submission of residual matters emanating from the 2022/23 wage negotiations.” Negotiations for the 2023/24 wage increase have already begun in the Public Sector Coordinating Bargaining Council.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Carol Paton at Fin24
• See too, Government confirms signing of settlement agreement to end Nehawu strike, at EWN

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