By SIBUSISO DLAMINI | 2024-01-29

Public sector associations want a meeting with Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, amid growing concerns over salaries and healthcare crisis, which they said government was seemingly failing to address.

The unions also highlighted challenges in the education sector, in particular that teachers were demotivated and were leaving for countries such as Taiwan.

 The unions, which include the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), the Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP), Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) and National Public Services and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), said salaries were low, thus the need for a salary review to be prioritised.

They said the issue of the salary review dates way back despite that government in 2022 awarded civil servants a three per cent cost of living adjustment (CoLA), a decision which PSAs are still bitter about, arguing that it was taken after government negotiated in bad faith.

Civil servants had initially tabled an 8.7 per cent CoLA but government countered with a three per cent offer, which the unions said they were forced to take.

They said the low salaries had resulted in the country losing experienced professionals to other countries thus it was one of the priority areas they wanted government to urgently address thus the proposed meeting with the prime minister. 

According to SWADNU Secretary General, Mayibongwe Masangane, said they had already made a request to meet the premier and were awaiting a response, stating that they were looking forward to developing a strong relationship with the prime minister.

“Previous heads of government always met us regularly, in particular the late Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini as well as his successor in the late Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini,” Masangane said.

“The only one we never got to meet was Cleopas Dlamini, so we would like to ensure that there are no strained relations from the onset with the incumbent,” he added, stating that they hope for a positive response to their meeting request.

A focal point of concern raised by Masangane was the pressing issue of the drugs shortage crisis, making it known that an urgent solution to the crisis was imperative.

He also highlighted the salary review, citing how low salaries have prompted numerous skilled healthcare professionals to seek better prospects in the United Kingdom.

The ministry of health had previously stated that it could not stop nurses from being recruited in the UK as there was no policy that prevents a nurse from leaving the country even if they were trained by government.

This was after it was reported that 87 nurses with experience in mental health and learning disability were recruited to work within the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

“We cannot afford to keep on losing experienced professionals in such a manner because it is costing us greatly, so the issue of the salary review takes priority for sure,” he said.

SNAT Secretary General, Lot Vilakati, echoed the concerns about the salary review, emphasising the protracted delay in addressing this matter, despite the escalating cost of living.

“It's becoming increasingly challenging to survive on the meagre salaries we receive,” Vilakati said, highlighting the financial challenges faced by teachers, leading to many of them opting to seek opportunities in Taiwan.

“The inadequate remuneration leads to a drain of invaluable experience, which adversely affects the education system,” Vilakati stated.

He said teachers were not motivated to do their best because they are depressed by their living conditions, which is bound to negatively impact the learning process.

Vilakati further disclosed the intention to make a plea to the prime minister about SNAT’s inclusion in the Teaching Service Commission to ensure accountability in the hiring of teachers.

“We saw that the prime minister met the TSC a few weeks ago and urged them to deal with the alleged corruption, but we strongly believe that transparency can only be ensured through the inclusion of SNAT to oversee,” he stated. 

SNAT last week stated that the issue of unemployment of teachers was a thorn for most qualified educators in the country, alleging that some head teachers were purportedly colluding with officials from the TSC to pay for jobs had surfaced.

They said their inclusion in the TSC would stop the supposed corruption.

SNAGAP Secretary General, Phumzile Masilela, emphasised the critical need for resources, and also aligned with her colleagues in the urgency of addressing the salary review, on reason that it was long-overdue.

“This issue significantly impacts people's lives in adverse ways, so we hope government realises this,” she stated.

Last year, the ministry of public service invited consultants to competitively bid for leading the salary review exercise, budgeted at E15 million.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of civil servants also strongly opposing the performance management system, which government has categorically stated that it would be implemented in the beginning of April.    

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo assured PSAs that government would respond through the office of the prime minister’s principal secretary as the premier has an open door policy.

Nxumalo said the prime minister was open to hearing from all stakeholders who are strategic partners in the implementation of Cabinet’s grand plan.

 

“The prime minister is all out to meet all stakeholders, so I am sure they will get their response when the prime minister returns from his international assignment,” Nxumalo said.

 

The premier is currently in ltaly where he is representing His Majesty, King Mswati III in the Italy-Africa Summit. 

 

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