MANZINI – Government has agreed to award a five per cent once-off payment and a E2,000 housing allowance to civil servants whose salaries were not affected by the ongoing salary review exercise.

This development was announced by leaders of the Public Sector Unions (PSUs) of Swaziland during an urgent General Council (GC) meeting held yesterday at the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Centre.

The meeting was convened to brief members on what transpired during Wednesday’s Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF) session and to renew the unions’ negotiation mandate.

According to SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini, government’s negotiation team (GNT) confirmed that no salaries will be reduced, even for employees whose positions were downgraded in the review. The downgrade, he said, would only apply to new recruits filling those positions.

It was noted that most of the affected workers — who either received zero or negative pay rises — fall under grades A and B, the lowest pay bands in the civil service.

Union Leaders Secure Higher Offer

Dlamini explained that government had initially offered these workers a three per cent once-off payment, but the unions successfully pushed for five per cent, arguing that they are the least paid employees in the public sector.

Similarly, the unions rejected the initial E800 housing allowance proposal, saying it was unreasonably low. After further deliberations, the GNT agreed to increase the housing allowance to E2,000.

Union leaders also highlighted the plight of workers living in tents or shacks, yet classified by government as “housed.” They said most of these employees are members of the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) and are stationed at government-run farms.

Government reportedly agreed to engage NAPSAWU separately in bilateral meetings to determine whether such employees should be officially recognised as housed or not.

Negotiations Continue Late Into the Night

MBABANE – As of 9:30 p.m. yesterday, negotiations between the Government Negotiation Team (GNT) and the Public Sector Unions (PSUs) were still underway at the Ministry of Public Service.

The JNF meeting had started at 2 p.m., following the unions’ earlier consultation with their members at the SNAT Centre.

Civil Servants Reject E1.29 Billion Offer, Demand Scenario III

MANZINI – Civil servants have rejected the government’s improved E1.29 billion offer, insisting instead on the full implementation of Scenario III as recommended in the salary review report.

Addressing members, SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini explained that a salary review differs from a cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA). A salary review, he said, is based on job profiling and conducted by a professional consultant who considers both job value and the state’s affordability.

Dlamini stated that according to the consultant’s findings, Scenario III, estimated to cost E1.643 billion, is the appropriate structure to implement.

“Once the consultant’s recommendations are submitted, government is expected to raise the necessary funds and implement them as they are,” he said, adding that the review outcomes are not meant to be renegotiated.

He said the unions therefore rejected government’s attempts to implement the E1.29 billion offer or phase the payments, as this would undermine the consultant’s report.

Workers Want Once-Off Payment Converted to CoLA

MANZINI – Civil servants have proposed that the five per cent once-off payment for workers excluded from the salary review be converted into a cost-of-living adjustment (CoLA).

During the PSUs General Council meeting, members commended their leaders for negotiating improved terms — including the increase in the housing allowance from E800 to E2,000 and the raise in the once-off payment from three to five per cent.

However, they argued that workers whose salaries were not adjusted by the review should instead receive a CoLA, as this would also contribute to their pensionable earnings.

“If our salaries are not impacted by the review, then the employer should provide a cost-of-living adjustment. The once-off payment should be converted into CoLA so that it has a lasting impact,” said one council member.