Press Statement dated 22 June 2018
Public servants, despite being expected to play a critical role in ensuring that the country’s development goals are, met, are increasingly bombarded by negativism from a variety of sources, including the employer.
“As the country’s largest employer, the public sector is critical in meeting the country’s development goals. This includes maintaining peace and security, providing quality healthcare and social services, and ensuring that the daily needs of South African’s are met. Corruption, fraud, and wasteful expenditure have, however, plunged public servants into poor and unsafe working conditions, which ultimately result in poor quality service because of poor working conditions, a lack of infrastructure and salaries not keeping pace with living expenses,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA, representing more than 240 000 public-sector employees, in the wake of the signing of an unfavourable three-year multi-term Public Service wage deal and rumoured large-scale Public Service job cuts, called on public servants to recommit themselves to the service of communities, despite setbacks and challenges.
“Despite the many inefficiencies and challenges in the public sector, at the heart of public service remains public servants tasked with improving access to services to ensure that hard-won human rights are protected. As we commemorate, Public Service Day on 23 June, let us not forget the value of public servants in community development. Let’s applaud the contributions made by the sector in strengthening our economy and let’s encourage young people to pursue careers in this sector. The PSA remains steadfastly committed to its duty towards public servants. The Union will strengthen its efforts, uninfluenced by politics, for the financial emancipation of public servants,” said Mr Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)