SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
MEDIA RELEASE NUMBER 22 OF 2000

4 OCTOBER 2000

SARS SERVICE CONTINUES

SARS has been involved in wage negotiations with the PSA and NEHAWU for the past few weeks.

SARS regrets that the wage negotiations with the PSA deadlocked late last night. Discussions with NEHAWU are still continuing.

The offer tabled by SARS is a 7% increase for lower graded employees, and 6.5% increase for other employees.

SARS is committed to provide services, notwithstanding the threat of the strike:

• At Receiver of Revenue offices: cash offices and taxpayer enquiry services will be operational.
• At international airports, land border posts and harbours there will be customs officers to assist travellers and traders.

The organisation is determined to maintain service levels by considering several alternatives.

SARS management will continue to make serious efforts to avert the strike and is due to participate in a CCMA conciliation on Friday 6 October 2000.

Stakeholders will be kept informed. Payments, which are due by 7 October 2000, for example PAYE, should be paid in the normal manner.

In addition taxes may be paid at any branch of FNB.

ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA