About 6000 officials at the Department of Home Affairs are poised to go on strike early next month over revised working hours‚ but they have been warned an illegal strike would have consequences‚ including dismissal.
The potential for a strike at one of the government’s key service delivery departments follows the introduction of a six-day working week arrangement from yesterday.
The arrangement‚ designed to improve service to the public‚ was announced by the department’s director-general‚ Mkuseli Apleni‚ last week.
The new arrangement will involve officials working two Saturdays each month and starting work half an hour earlier each day. They will still work 40 hours a week but in a
re-arranged format.
Spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said yesterday the department was aware of the threats to down tools and said Apleni had warned “the department will not hesitate to exercise its authority and deal decisively with those participating by taking disciplinary measures which may include dismissal”.
He said the Public Servants’ Association’s (PSA’s) need to represent its members was understood but the department would not compromise on service to the public and “so far there have been no strikes and we’ll continue to engage with the union to find a solution”.
PSA acting assistant general manager Leon Gilbert confirmed the association was representing more than 6000 employees at the department.
He said a dispute had been declared following a deadlock on the proposed amendment to working hours.
April 2 was the target for conciliation‚ Gilbert said‚ and if that failed then a further period of seven days’ notice would have to be given if strike action was to be taken.
He said only some home affairs officials were considered essential services and these were largely limited to those working at points of entry on the borders.
Most of the 6000 were not essential services and could go on strike‚ Gilbert said.
“The PSA has been engaging the Department of Home Affairs in the chamber and in bilateral meetings in an effort to reach an amicable solution.
“The department was requested to reconsider the proposed change in working hours which will make Saturday an official working day. With these changes our members will in future have to incur additional costs for transport and childcare while their salaries will remain the same.”
He said before the dispute was declared‚ the PSA had requested mediation through the bargaining council but “the department‚ however‚ failed to respond to the request for mediation”. — BDlive
Home Affairs might face strike
The potential for a strike at one of the government’s key service delivery departments follows the introduction of a six-day working week arrangement from yesterday.
The arrangement‚ designed to improve service to the public‚ was announced by the department’s director-general‚ Mkuseli Apleni‚ last week.
The new arrangement will involve officials working two Saturdays each month and starting work half an hour earlier each day. They will still work 40 hours a week but in a
re-arranged format.
Spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said yesterday the department was aware of the threats to down tools and said Apleni had warned “the department will not hesitate to exercise its authority and deal decisively with those participating by taking disciplinary measures which may include dismissal”.
He said the Public Servants’ Association’s (PSA’s) need to represent its members was understood but the department would not compromise on service to the public and “so far there have been no strikes and we’ll continue to engage with the union to find a solution”.
PSA acting assistant general manager Leon Gilbert confirmed the association was representing more than 6000 employees at the department.
He said a dispute had been declared following a deadlock on the proposed amendment to working hours.
April 2 was the target for conciliation‚ Gilbert said‚ and if that failed then a further period of seven days’ notice would have to be given if strike action was to be taken.
He said only some home affairs officials were considered essential services and these were largely limited to those working at points of entry on the borders.
Most of the 6000 were not essential services and could go on strike‚ Gilbert said.
“The PSA has been engaging the Department of Home Affairs in the chamber and in bilateral meetings in an effort to reach an amicable solution.
“The department was requested to reconsider the proposed change in working hours which will make Saturday an official working day. With these changes our members will in future have to incur additional costs for transport and childcare while their salaries will remain the same.”
He said before the dispute was declared‚ the PSA had requested mediation through the bargaining council but “the department‚ however‚ failed to respond to the request for mediation”. — BDlive
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos