State dumps Saturday work rule

Strike averted as home affairs revises decree

Home Affairs officials who were charged for defying a controversial circular forcing them to work on Saturdays will now not be disciplined.

According to an agreement reached by the department with workers’ unions to avert a strike that was due to start today, the disciplinary sanctions relating to the 2015 decree will be set aside.

The Public Service Association (PSA), a union representing 75% of employees at the department, revealed on Saturday in Centurion that minister Hlengiwe Mkhize vowed to review all disciplinary cases relating to the circular.

Home Affairs director-general Mkuseli Apleni issued and implemented the circular in 2015. It forced officials to work on Saturdays without extra pay.

Unions had been up in arms about the circular, demanding its withdrawal or overtime pay to workers.

On June 6, unions finally resolved to down tools. This resolution escalated negotiations in the bargaining council. An agreement was reached last week. Officials will now work on Saturdays on a voluntary basis. Nkidi Mohoboko, the department’s negotiator, said that parties would negotiate this arrangement.