MBABANE – The final civil servants’ salary review report will be ready in 11 days and presented to the Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF) on September 1 by the consultant.
Public sector unions (PSUs) have urged civil servants and the public to remain calm, expressing confidence that the set timelines would be met. Although the version presented yesterday was a draft, unions said they were encouraged by engagements and assured that details would be shared once the final report was submitted.
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This was revealed during a press briefing held after the first day of the JNF meeting at Mountain View International Hotel, Mbabane.
The salary review is being conducted by a joint consultancy of Emergence Growth Consultancy and Umelusi Consultancy Firm.
First Day of the JNF Meeting
The meeting brought together PSU leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Public Service, led by Principal Secretary Mthunzi Shabangu. Also present was Secretary to Cabinet Victor Nxumalo, who accompanied the government team.
According to Shabangu, participants included:
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Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT)
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National Public Services and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU)
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Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP)
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Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU)
He explained that the salary review report was not initially on the agenda, but due to its importance, the consultant was invited to present the draft.
“Today was the first meeting since August 15, and the discussions we had on the report were not in detail because this is only a draft report,” said Shabangu.
He confirmed that September 1 was set as the next date for the consultant to present the final report.
PSUs Reaction
SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini, speaking on behalf of the PSUs, welcomed the fact that the consultant had kept to the timeline.
“Since this is a draft report, we cannot go into details as we are waiting for the final report,” said Dlamini.
“Once the consultant presents it, we will be in a better position to deliberate and update our members.”
He further urged members to remain calm, assuring them that all details would be revealed once the final report was tabled.
Private Session
After lunch, the consultant met privately with the PSUs, while government representatives were asked to step out. The session, which began at 2:30 p.m., lasted for over an hour before the government delegation was recalled.
According to insiders, the private meeting was to update PSUs on the progress of the report. No salary percentage figures were discussed, as this could have influenced the process.
The consultant is expected to finalize the report and present an impartial document, free from external influence, on September 1.
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