The decade-long wait for a salary review is finally coming to an end, much to the relief of civil servants, after the much-awaited salary review report was delivered yesterday.
The last salary review was implemented in 2016. Following lengthy negotiations and consultations, the consultant finally delivered the pre-final draft report.
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The long-awaited report was officially presented by Emergence Human Capital-Umelusi during a meeting between the Public Sector Unions (PSUs) and the Government Negotiation Team (GNT) at the Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday.
Yesterday, the PSUs and GNT received hard copies of the 444-page report, which contained several budget scenarios yet to be evaluated and approved by the unions.
The PSUs include:
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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 Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU)
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Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP)
The report proposes improved allowances and pay scales for civil servants.
Ministry of Public Service on Next Steps
According to Principal Secretary Mthunzi Shabangu, the delivery of the pre-final report marked the third stage of the process. Stakeholders will review the document, submit comments, and await the incorporation of proposals into the final version to be presented tomorrow.
The report will then be presented to Cabinet for approval before implementation, scheduled for next month.
Key Findings in the Report
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Out of 44,979 jobs in the public service, 1,113 were evaluated.
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75% of jobs will remain the same but benefit from pay rises.
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19% of posts will be upgraded to new scales.
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6% of posts will be downgraded.
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Teachers were not upgraded.
The consultant also outlined three main budget scenarios:
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Scenario 2: E1.33 billion
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Scenario 3: E1.18 billion
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Scenario 4: E579 million
Allowances reviewed:
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23 remunerative allowances and 30 circumstantial allowances reviewed
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5 new allowances proposed
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11 allowances discontinued
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Travel allowance increased from E0.16/km to E0.67/km, with the qualifying radius extended from 6km to 17km
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New special needs teachers’ allowance introduced
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5% increase in hardship allowance
Proposed New Housing Allowances (per month)
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A1–A5: E800
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B1–B5: E1,500
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C1–C5: E2,000
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D1–D5: E2,500
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E1–E5: E3,000
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F1–F3: E4,000
SNAT Rejects Grade B2 Hiring
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) opposed the hiring of teachers at Grade B2.
SNAT Secretary General Lot Vilakati said government should stop the practice, arguing that teachers should be hired at Grade C3, where salaries would rise to about E15,000 after implementation.
Teachers on Grade B2 would remain at around E5,000, creating inequality.
“We are proposing equal pay for equal value,” Vilakati said.
Optimism for Next Month’s Implementation
Principal Secretary Shabangu said the Ministry remains optimistic about the timeline:
“We are confident that we would meet the deadline as per the commitment made to stakeholders,” he said.
If approved, the long-delayed salary review will be rolled out next month, with back pay included.
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