Deputy Speaker, the Reserve Bank figures recently published suggest that the public sector wage bill has been increasing by 6,5% above inflation every year for the past eight years.
According to the Business Day, economists suggest that this is unsustainable and may crowd out other long-term investments. Despite the economic downturn, the total wage bill has increased from R140 billion in 2003 to R322 billion in 2010; increasing in 2008-09 with more than 18%.
Whilst other governments have cut their public sector wage bill to survive the economic crisis, this government has no option but to take a hard line to resist an out of control increase in the wage bill. How difficult to understand, but this is the more patriotic and sensible approach.
If we as South Africans can stand together and deliver a wonderful World Cup to show off our patriotism to the world, it is also time for the trade unions to show more responsibility towards our economy and to concentrate on service delivery and respect other citizen's rights. Cosatu should take its power struggle with the government elsewhere.
With fears that we might see a double dip in economic growth worldwide, we must realise that we are all in this boat together. Exuberant chief executive officers' salaries in the private sector are a disgrace and must be cut, and unnecessary and fruitless expenditure by Ministers and the state does not assist in this. [Time expired.] [Applause.]