SASSA and Home Affairs faces disruption as PSA declares National strike
The PSA, representing most SITA employees, initiated a national shutdown on 16 October 2023, impacting services at SASSA and Home Affairs.
The Public Servants Association (PSA), the representative body for the majority of employees at the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), has declared a national shutdown effective from Monday, 16 October 2023, which will affect government services like SASSA and Home Affairs.
This announcement comes after a protracted deadlock in salary negotiations between the PSA and SITA.
The friction between the PSA and SITA escalated when PSA members at SITA initiated lunchtime picketing on 9 October 2023, seeking to draw attention to their demands.
ALSO READ: SASSA gold cards set to EXPIRE – here is what you must know
Frustrated by the employer’s apparent reluctance to respond positively, PSA members are now intensifying their strike actions.
SASSA AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE
The looming national shutdown will significantly impact essential government services, including Home Affairs, Employment and Labour, and SASSA.
ALSO READ: Live SASSA updates: All gold cards will be replaced this year
At the heart of this dispute is the PSA’s concern regarding SITA’s approach to collective bargaining and the sluggish progress in concluding salary negotiations for the 2022/23 financial year.
The PSA is sending a clear message to Minister Mondli Gungubele, emphasizing that employees are deeply dissatisfied and will not halt their strike until their demands are met.
ALSO READ: SASSA replacing ALL gold cards THIS YEAR
“While the PSA acknowledges the potential implications of a total shutdown, such as disruption to network connectivity and government sector operations, they firmly believe that their cause justifies these actions,” read the statement.
WHAT DOES THE PSA URGE MINISTER GUNGUBELE TO DO?
The PSA urges Minister Gungubele to intervene and instruct the SITA board of directors to improve the salary offer to 7.5%, a move they see as necessary to break the deadlock.
ALSO READ: Fuel price UPDATE: Mid-month petrol, diesel numbers look GOOD for November
The standoff between the PSA and SITA underscores the challenges faced in the realm of public sector labor relations.
As the strike action commences, both parties remain locked in a battle of wills, with the PSA determined to continue until SITA responds positively to their demands.
The coming days will reveal the extent of the disruption caused by this national strike and whether it results in a resolution to the impasse.