Nehawu Salary Increase 2022/23 Latest Update

Inflation has increased by 7.8% the highest level in the last 13 years but still, the government of South Africa is planning to butcher its public servants. The National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union has recorded its protest against the new policies of the government and decided to not sign the salary bill for the current fiscal year. The skyrocketing inflation forced public servants to come out of their houses and warn the government that they will not continue their duties further.

But South Africa’s one of the biggest trade and servant unions is about to come on the roads and take their workers out of the public sector. Basically, NEHAWU is a union of workers from education, health, and other public sector fields. The union is forcing the government to increase their salaries, otherwise, they will stop working because high inflation has made their lives hard to live, so let’s find out what the increased salary updates are and future possible results.

NEHAWU Salary Increase 2022/23 Update

NEHAWU has played a significant role in the development of social sectors of South Africa such as education, health, and technology. The workers from NEHAWU are not only hard-working but loyal to their duties that’s why South Africa has become one of the fastest developing nations in the world. But because of a slightly unstable economy for a few years, the government planned to increase prices of the daily use goods.

Because of zero exports in Covid era, the government faced a major setback but to cover instability and maintain the economy the government of South Africa updated prices of daily commodities. It directly impacted workers all around the country and especially those who earn below R60,000. Here comes the interesting statistics, the average salary of NEHAWU members is about R20,000 and minimum salary is R10,000.

Whereas the maximum pay for a member of NEHAWU is R50,000 but the salary depends upon the profession and responsibilities. Anyhow, the members of NEHAWU ask the government to increase their salary by 7.5% so that they can match the current expenses. On the other hand, the government provided a new plan for the year, and in this fiscal year, parliament will increase NEHAWU salaries by 4.7%.

Why Is the Union Demanding a 7.5% Increase?

There are different reasons why the union is serious about the tiny digits from 4.7% to 7.5% increase. The first and foremost cause is that high inflation in the last 13 years has broken the backbone of workers, therefore they are unable to meet both ends. The high inflation triggered workers to raise their voices against the government’s plans and increase the current fiscal year salary quota.

Another reason is that NEHAWU is one of the biggest unions of South Africa which has sent members all around the country. That’s why the union is looking for an achievement to influence the other worker’s unions. It is possible that NEHAWU has made a remarkable growth in the past few years but demanding a 7.5% increase is a bit unrealistic dream.

Another major reason is that the union has to satisfy its members who are facing tough conditions. According to the union, the highly paid jobs are receiving handsome amounts but the education, health, and other sector workers are unable to manage the budget of their houses. A 7.5% increase in salary will help workers to acquire daily use commodities and match the salary with current inflation statistics of 7.8%.

What Are Government Plans?

It is important to what the demands of NEHAWU members but the final decision is pending until government officials do not reach a point in dialogues with their competitors. There are debates and discussions in the media but still, the government is sticking with its 4.7% salary increase offer. According to the government, the demands of NEHAWU are illogical because a 7.5% increase in salary is too much for the members.

Some sources claim that the government will not change the decision because the 4.7% increase in salary is already more than expected. Additionally, other South African unions and workers’ organizations have made a deal with the government on a 4.7% salary increase. But the government officials and NEHAWU members discuss the problem on the table therefore chances are high that the government has to change its decision.

What Will Happen If There Is A Strike?

There are different possibilities such as the government may go with the decision of NEHAWU or cancel the ongoing dialogues. NEHAWU officials claim that they will not move an inch from their stance therefore expecting that the union will bend down against the government is more like daydreaming. It is possible that NEHAWU will go on countrywide strikes and lockdown the entire region.

Possibilities & Consequences

• It is possible that unions lock down the country and show off a powerful protest against the government.
• The government will certainly take legal action against protestors in case the strike comes out in South Africa.
• NEHAWU members will shut down their related institutes such as schools, colleges, universities, health care, hospitals, and medical centres.

NEHAWU is a union of workers in South Africa to raise the voice of their rights and take their point of view to government officials. Recently the government increased the prices of daily use commodities by 7.8%.

That’s why workers from all around South Africa are furious and want their salaries increased by almost 7.5%. Anyhow, the negotiations between the government and NEHAWU are ongoing and results are still pending but the government is gradually accepting the demands of workers.