MBABANE – The government has significantly improved its financial offer for the long-awaited salary review of civil servants, increasing the allocation from E500 million to E1.29 billion.
This development was communicated to hundreds of public workers who gathered in solidarity with their union leaders taking part in the Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF). The adjustment represents an increase of E790 million, signaling progress in the ongoing negotiations.
Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) President Mbongwa Dlamini, a member of the negotiating team, told workers that government presented the revised offer following a series of adjournments during the talks.
“The offer has improved by more than 100 per cent, with some positions receiving increases of over 400 per cent,” Dlamini said.
He explained that the negotiating team did not concern itself with how the money would be distributed among the various categories of civil servants, emphasizing that what mattered most was ensuring fairness and transparency.
According to Dlamini, the government’s latest proposal differs from the initial recommendations made by the consultant engaged for the review. “Government offered to pay 64 per cent of what the consultant had proposed and suggested that the remaining balance be paid in the first week of July next year,” he said.
The proposal also includes 50 per cent payment of housing allowances and full payment of travelling allowances.
Dlamini added that for the lowest-paid civil servants, the consultant had not recommended any adjustments, but government proposed a three per cent once-off increment and an additional E2,000 monthly allowance.
He explained that this proposal came after the unions argued that all civil servants, regardless of grade, face the same cost of living.
“Government has also committed to pay 50 per cent of the housing allowance in arrears within 15 months,” he added.
The SNAT president further highlighted concerns about civil servants living in remote areas under inadequate conditions. The unions have asked government to provide housing allowances for workers living in tents, noting that such arrangements cannot be considered proper accommodation.
Civil Servants Petition Prime Minister
MBABANE – Over 1,000 civil servants have petitioned Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, urging him to direct the Ministry of Public Service to implement the salary review in line with the workers’ demands.
The petition, delivered to the Cabinet offices yesterday and received by Acting Principal Secretary Lindiwe Dlamini, calls for full payment of the reviewed salaries without phasing.
Workers insisted they would not accept less than E1.7 billion, describing the earlier E500 million offer as “an insult.”
They argued that phase payments would fail to meet their financial needs, especially after a nine-year delay in salary adjustments and in the face of rising inflation.
The petition further criticized the proposed high increases for top-earning officials, saying it was unfair that the lowest-paid workers received little to no improvement.
“All civil servants, whether low or high earners, buy from the same shops,” the petition reads. “We demand equal pay for equal work and want our money paid in full this month as agreed.”
The workers gave the Prime Minister 24 hours to respond, warning that they would continue to follow up until their demands were addressed.