POPCRU rejects 4.7% wage increase

EWN reports that Police union POPCRU (Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union) has rejected a proposed 4.7% wage increase. According to the union, the increase, which it rejected in 2023, falls far below inflation, which currently sits at 5.6%. POPCRU is accusing government of being arrogant towards public service workers. It added that unhappy members were ready to mobilise despite pledging support to the African National Congress (ANC) and the tripartite alliance last year.

“We are willing to march to Pretoria to ensure our voices are heard, we are not asking for an above inflation increase, we are demanding it,” said POPCRU president, Thulani Ngwenya. Ngwenya has not only rejected the wage increase offered by the Department of Public Service and Administration but also invited Minister Noxolo Kiviet to join him in a live TV debate.

Ngwenya said despite elections being a few weeks away, public sector workers are constantly being overlooked by political parties. According to the union, dissatisfaction with public wages began in 2020, when the government reneged on its promise of increases of up to 1% above inflation that year. Since then, it embarked on a nationwide march in September 2022, demanding the implementation of that promise as well as a 3% wage hike for 2022/2023.

by Mongezi Koko

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