The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and two representative trade unions, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) and the Public Servants Association (PSA), today successfully concluded wage negotiations for 2005.
All parties agreed to a wage increase of 6% across-the-board, effective from 1 July 2005. The negotiating process also reached agreement on a range of remuneration and career development issues aimed at improving the conditions of employment of SARS employees.
The parties also agreed to the further implementation of a performance management system and a Career Development Programme throughout the organisation over the next two years.
The successful outcome of wage negotiations was the product of constructive engagement between all parties, even throughout the dispute period which was declared by unions at the end of July this year. Wage negotiations took place within the framework of the Labour Relations Act and a Recognition Agreement SARS, NEHAWU and the PSA signed in 1999.
In accepting the wage settlement offer SARS and trade unions expressed their commitment to co-operation. All parties also recognised the important contribution of SARS, its employees and representative trade unions to the economic development of South Africa and remain committed to building a partnership for ongoing transformation and a cadre of tax and customs professionals.
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ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA