Government has received 143 appeals from civil servants following the 2025 public service salary review.
A total E160 million was provisionally set aside to address the financial implications of successful appeals. Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko revealed this during the ministry’s second quarter report debate in Parliament on Tuesday.
Maseko said the ministry was considering engaging an independent consultant to handle the appeals, explaining that it would not be appropriate for the ministry to assess the cases on its own. He said an independent person was needed to ensure that the appeals were handled fairly and civil servants received an impartial assessment of their concerns.
The minister explained that the provisional E160 million allocation was based on the number of appeals received during the 2016 salary review. However, the amount could be adjusted depending on the outcome and financial implications of the current appeals.
Meanwhile, the ministry is still processing appeals submitted before the August 31 deadline, including those received on the final day. Maseko said the salary review process was also being informed by engagements with public sector unions to understand the working conditions of civil servants.
He said the ministry had visited workplaces under the ministries of health and education, together with the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), where they observed that some employees were working under unfavourable conditions.
He added that the next phase would involve further visits to workplaces and engagements with ministers to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by public servants.
The minister also highlighted discussions around Chapter E and various allowances, saying government remained committed to working with public sector unions for the progress of the country.
Immigration overtime costs reduced to E12m
GOVERNMENT has reduced its expenditure on overtime payments for immigration officers to E12 million following an agreement with the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) to introduce a 25% allowance.
Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko said the government had been facing challenges in settling overtime payments at the ministry of home affairs, with some payments dating back to 2016.
Maseko said the overtime payments had placed a financial burden on government, which previously spent about E20 million on the payments. He explained that following the agreement with NAPSAWU, immigration officers would receive a 25% allowance, reducing the amount spent on overtime from E20 million to E12 million.
Maseko said the arrangement would allow government to use the savings to address other financial needs within the public service. “We now use the money to fill other gaps and realise savings. This is a positive thing. We do not promote riotous situations; all we want is peace,” he said. Meanwhile, Maseko said government was consulting on plans to give temporary teachers who had worked on contracts for more than five years permanent positions.
He added that the ministry continued to fill vacant positions through the Civil Service Commission. On the pension fund, the minister said government had made efforts to increase its funds from E43 billion to E43.6 billion despite the challenges faced.
He expressed confidence that the increase would contribute towards improving the fund. The minister also highlighted the need to address concerns surrounding the filling of vacant teaching posts, saying government remained committed to addressing issues affecting public servants
