Johnathan Paoli
Trade Union Nehawu said on Wednesday that it wanted clarity from the presiding officers concerning the 70% salary hike approved for Parliamentary Secretary, Xolile George which in effect means he now earns R4.4 million per annum.
Nehawu’s concerns follow the exposure of what some have called ‘backroom moves’ by both the NA and NCOP to increase George’s salary after his appointment in May last year at the maximum allowable salary of R2.6 million. (can we write NA and NCOP in full first before we apply caps)
The trade union represents almost 1000 parliamentary staff, and branch secretary Temba Gubula said that its members have been asking questions about the matter, but that further information from Parliament was required before Nehawu could express a solid position.
“We are in the process of writing to the presiding officers to seek answers as to why this decision and why the union was not taken on board prior to arriving at this decision, considering that the union was part of the panel that interviewed the secretary to Parliament,” Gubula said.
In its defence, Parliament said it hiked Xolile George’s salary based on the recommendations of an impartial expert assessment conducted by a remuneration consultancy firm and that this was to ensure the decision would be unbiased and aligned with industry practices.
As previously reported, DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube has demanded an investigation by Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli, saying that Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has misled Parliament.
However, Parliament’s presiding officers insisted they did not act in secret, and said George’s new salary is reflected in its annual report.
INSIDE POLITICS
