The Department of Public Service and Administration said workers from all sectors of the economy are allowed to participate in the socio-economic protests led by SAFTU and COSATU on Wednesday, 24 August. However, Essential Service workers may not take part in the national shutdown during their working hours – if they do, it will be…
The Department of Public Service and Administration said workers from all sectors of the economy are allowed to participate in the socio-economic protests led by SAFTU and COSATU on Wednesday, 24 August.
However, Essential Service workers may not take part in the national shutdown during their working hours – if they do, it will be considered misconduct.
The DPSA said the principle of “No work, No Pay” must be applied by all departments for government workers who do participate on Wednesday. Departments that do not effect the deductions will be in violation of the Public Finance Management Act.
Departments were also instructed not to grant leave to any workers for the purposes of participation in strikes or protest actions. “Leave should only be granted under the leave regulations, i.e. for leave purposes in terms of the regulations and not for protest action,” said the DPSA in a circular signed by Director-General, Yoliswa Makhasi.
COSATU’s Mike Shingane told Newzroom Afrika the government and every other employer who uses the “No Work, No Pay” principle on Wednesday is being disingenuous.
“It’s not as if workers do not know that since time immemorial… when workers embark on a protest action, particularly a protected strike like this one, it is a sacrifice on their part and they know that the employer has a right to invoke that [“No work, no pay”] rule.”
