The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) reports that a seven months long wage impasse at the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) ended with the signing of a wage deal on 5 November 2025.

This followed strike action in the month of October. The agreement specified a salary adjustment of 7% across the board for all employees within the NSFAS Bargaining Unit (i.e. Level 3 – 12) effective from 1 April 2025. It also encompassed an increase in the housing allowance from R1,200 to R2,200 (83.3%), with R1,793 of this increase effective from 1 April 2025 and R227 effective from 1 April 2026. Once off long service awards were also agreed upon. The parties further agreed that the following matters be deferred for further engagements in both the National Bargaining Forum, and the National Consultative Forum, namely: staff dependent bursary; early retirement; hybrid working policy; threshold for recognition of new unions; decentralisation; and implementation date for job evaluation outcomes. The union said that it determined on “resetting our relationship with NSFAS management, which we can confirm that it is moving towards the right direction ensuring an environment of sound labour relations at the workplace.”

• Read Nehawu’s press statement in full at Nehawu News

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