Why should public sector be treated differently?

Open letter to the minister of public works and administration

MINSTER Senzo Mchunu, thank you for the opportunity for public participation in the present issues regarding the negotiations of public sector wage increases.

Covid-19 has dealt our economy a blow. The manner in which our stimulus package, released by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was utilised has raised many eyebrows.

The monies wasted on personal protective equipment and the corruption investigated by the special investigating unit, has again highlighted the corruption we are experiencing. In the midst of a pandemic, for those to have taken advantage of the situation indicates how morally bankrupt some of our people have become.

Our public sector is bloated. We have more departments than we require. Actually, the output of these departments is low compared to other countries, with a similar workforce in the public sector.

We have a very low PAYE tax base providing revenue to the fiscus. So we need to protect that base or ensure the net is made wider.

The government has a responsibility to create an environment for investment and, thereby, grow the economy. The growth of our economy will improve employment, and reduce poverty and societal crime. I know this is put simplistically.

Unions have a right to collectively bargain on behalf of their members. Their interest, often, is not in congruence with the government, which has to consider a budget that takes care of a greater population.

When a public service is bloated, ineffective compared to comparable standards, one asks the question: do they deserve such increases? In the context of a shrinking tax base due to Covid-19, is it responsible for the unions to look at this exclusively from their position?

Correct me, Mr Minister, as I am not aware that any civil servant had their salaries reduced or have lost their employment during the height of the pandemic.

I know many in the private sector who lost incomes and their jobs. So why should the public sector be treated any differently?

I am aware of the many health professionals who gave their lives during this pandemic. I know some have been committed to the cause of serving humanity in difficult working environments.

I am also aware of the many dedicated educators who have fast-tracked learning during the pandemic.

But we are also aware that there are many who did little, but enjoyed the benefits of a full pay cheque.

The same could be said of the many departments under your management.

The municipalities are further away from delivering on the mandate. I have first-hand experience of pathetic service from my municipality.

So, in essence, this is my view:

¡ The public service needs a massive cut of jobs. We have some good people, but many would have been unemployed if they were in the private sector.

¡ Unions need to do an introspection of employees, as increases cannot be given across the board. We need to do an individual assessment of whether people deserve their jobs, let alone an increase in salaries, in present times. Shop stewards need to do assessments at each level, to find ways of improving efficiency. ¡ The minister of finance has already indicated that funds are not available for the increases unions are negotiating. We need to save our economy, even if it means going against powerful unions. South Africa belongs to all its citizens and we cannot compromise our wellbeing at the expense of one sector. ¡ In all of this, the government’s ineptitude to deal with corruption must become a priority. We need prominent alleged criminals to be charged, found guilty and imprisoned. We also need, as a matter of urgency, to recover the stolen billions.

DR MURTHI SOOBOO

Pretoria