Cosatu Condemns Proposed Salary Hike for Politicians Amidst Financial Strain
Johannesburg – Trade union federation Cosatu has launched a scathing attack on the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, denouncing its recommendation of a 4.1% salary increase for politicians. The proposed increase would encompass parliamentarians, members of provincial legislatures, local government office bearers, various government commissions, as well as the judiciary.
Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks voiced the federation's outrage in a statement released on Sunday, asserting that the increase is unconscionable given the country's current financial difficulties.
"It is beyond shameful that in the year when the Cabinet said the state did not have money to fulfil its legal obligations and thus a 2% VAT hike was unavoidable, that this tone-deaf commission can make such an obnoxious proposal," Parks stated.
Parks highlighted the incongruity of the commission's proposal in light of recent warnings from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. "It defies logic that a month after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana warned parliament and the nation that further tax hikes may be a necessity in 2026, that the commission thought proposing an additional R536 million to fund the salaries of politicians, commissioners and judges is morally justifiable."
The proposed salary adjustments would see significant increases for top government officials. President Cyril Ramaphosa stands to receive an additional R137,000, bringing his annual salary to R3.4 million. Deputy President Paul Mashatile would see a R130,000 increase, raising his salary to R3.1 million per year. Cabinet ministers could receive a salary hike of R110,000, bringing their annual earnings to R2.8 million.
Parks pointed out the dire state of municipal finances and service delivery, particularly concerning the inclusion of 9,331 local government councillors in the proposed salary increase. "Most galling is the inclusion of the 9,331 local government councillors under whose watch the state of municipal finances and services has deteriorated at an alarming rate, with numerous municipalities failing to pay their employees’ salaries, pensions, medical aids and taxes," he said.
Cosatu believes that any available government funds should be prioritised for essential services and front-line workers. "If government has spare funds, then these must be utilised to hire the doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers and other front-line workers needed to provide essential services to working class communities and the economy," Parks argued.
According to Parks, the Minister of Finance had recommended a 4.1% increase for judges and magistrates, and a 3.5% increase for public office bearers, which he described as a more modest approach.
"Cosatu agrees with Minister Godongwana that there is a need to treat judges and magistrates separately as these are persons with extensive legal qualifications and experience. This is necessary to retain their skills and knowledge and avoid a brain drain in an already overwhelmed judicial system," he explained.
However, Cosatu firmly believes that public representatives should lead by example, especially in times of economic hardship. "Public representatives, however, need to lead by example and when government has motivated for tax increases, including failing to adjust income tax brackets for low- and middle-income earners for inflation for two successive years, then there can be no justification whatsoever for them to receive an increase," Parks asserted.
Cosatu is calling for greater transparency and public input in the process of determining salary increases for public officials. "It is long overdue that this clumsy commission be instructed to submit its proposals for public comment before tabling them to the president for his approval," Parks stated. "These are workers’ hard-earned taxes and they deserve to be afforded the courtesy of being allowed to make their views heard."
Cosatu has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to reject the commission's proposal and instead implement an inflationary 3.5% increase for members of the judiciary, coupled with a performance-based 0% increase for public representatives.
Parks emphasised the need to link salary increases to the performance of public representatives and the institutions they oversee. "Government must amend the terms of reference for such increases to be linked to the performance of public representatives and the institutions they are required to oversee," he concluded.
In summary, Cosatu's condemnation underscores the growing discontent over the proposed salary increases for politicians, particularly in light of the country's financial challenges and the strain on ordinary citizens. The federation's call for transparency, public input, and performance-based remuneration reflects a broader demand for accountability and responsible governance.
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