Unions representing public workers handed over a memorandum of demands to Acting Public Service and Administration Minister Thulas Nxesi outside the National Treasury office in Pretoria.
Demands include a 10% pay rise, permanent filling of all vacant positions and outsourcing of all services, among others.
The unions have given the government seven days to respond to their demands or the workers will go on an indefinite strike.
DENOSA President Simon Hlungani says: “Since we already have the certificate, we will paint the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane red every day they fail to do so. Home Affairs will be closed, National Treasury will be closed, DPSA will be closed, I’m telling him now, even hospitals will be closed, police stations will be closed.”
Meanwhile, in a number of provinces of the country, various marches were held in support of the strike of utility workers.
VIDEO | National Day of Action | Civil servants arrive at the National Treasury in Tshwane:
Earlier, the unions accused the government of unilaterally raising wages by 3%.
FEDUSA Provincial Chairman Johnny Nwila says: “When you impose 3% you are undermining negotiations because the government is leading, if it is happening in the government, what about the private sector? The private sector is following suit and we’re just undermining the negotiations as a whole. We’re here to support public servants – to make sure they go back to the Bargaining Council.”
