The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] appeared in the Labour Court today, 31st January 2025 for the court to declare a final order holding the Minister of Public Service and Administration in contempt of court for failing to implement the PSCBC settlement agreement born-out of NEHAWU strike in March 2023 which the Court declared as valid and enforceable.
The union approached the Labour Court after the Department of Public Service and Administration [DPSA] on behalf of government failed to adhere to the Labour Court judgement that had declared the settlement agreement concluded at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council [PSCBC] in 2023, binding and enforceable.
Immediately after obtaining the order enforcing the agreement, the union called on the DPSA to respect and adhered to the order, however DPSA bluntly ignored the order arguing that they had adhered to the agreement, a clear and deliberate breach of the court order enforcing the settlement agreement of our public service strike. The state failed to enter into enter into any discussions for augmentation of the salaries of public servants with a percentage to be agreed by parties at the PSCBC for the year 2022/2023 year cycle.
The matter was heard in the Labour Court today, Friday 31 January 2025, wherein the Labour Court after hearing both arguments has reserved judgement.
The union will continue do everything at its disposal to enforce the implementation of settlement agreement of the public service strike. We remain resolute to defend to collective bargaining and the hard-won gains of workers. The union will update members once the judgement has been issued.