By Thapelo Molefe
The Employment and Labour Department has added its voice to the chorus of congratulations for the successful conclusion of a five-year collective wage agreement for municipal workers, hailing it as a victory for social dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
The multi-year deal was signed by the South African Municipal Workers Union, the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union and the South African Local Government Association, which represents 257 municipalities.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said the conclusion of the agreement was a testament to the power of social dialogue in resolving labour market disputes peacefully.
The department commended the parties for their commitment to finding mutually beneficial solutions, which would undoubtedly benefit all stakeholders and foster a more resilient labour market.
“This agreement sets a positive precedent for future negotiations and demonstrates the effectiveness of collective bargaining in creating labour market stability.
“By working together, we can create a more harmonious and productive working environment, which is crucial for attracting investment and combating poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” Meth said in a statement.
The department viewed the agreement as a significant step towards sustainable development and social cohesion, underscoring the importance of maintaining open communication channels and working towards mutually beneficial solutions.
“When collective bargaining is free from violence and damage to property, it creates labour market stability, which is crucial for our country’s prosperity,” Meth said.
The chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration, Mxolisi Kaunda, has also welcomed the agreement as a crucial step towards stabilising municipalities and ensuring service delivery.
“Now that the wage agreement issue has been put to bed, it is essential that workers contribute to the stabilisation of the local sphere of government to ensure that municipalities are functional and deliver quality services,” Kaunda said.
He emphasised the need for passionate and dedicated personnel to provide quality services to residents, and noted that the agreement’s consideration of municipalities’ constrained finances was a positive step.
“By improving services, the workers will positively contribute to municipalities’ ability to bill for services to ensure a positive cash flow for municipalities,” he said.
Kaunda also called for an end to nonchalant attitudes to service delivery, citing poor quality services as a major contributor to low collection of municipal levies and taxes.
He added that it was only through collaboration that municipalities could be strengthened and services improved.
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