House Chairperson, the EFF rejects Budget Vote No 12 on the Public Service and Administration, because the Batho Pele principles are not honoured, but are just decorations on the walls of Public Service buildings.
The budget is not clear as to how it will fill vacancies within the public sector, and how it would fast-track decent and affordable housing for public servants through the Government Employees Housing Scheme. There is no indication of paying decent salaries, and how to improve issues of occupational health within the Public Service.
The implementation of old Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council agreements and assurance of the adherence thereto is not clear. The immediate task of this department should be to amend the Ministerial Handbook to exclude the buying of cars for Ministers and MECs. They earn a salary; therefore, Ministers should buy their own cars and houses. The resources can then be used to increase the housing allowance for public servants, which currently stands at an appalling R900. That's a shame! All public servants should be familiarised with the Public Service Charter and be thoroughly trained.
I-EFF ayiyixhasi le Voti yoHlahlo-lwabiwo-mali de urhulumente ophetheyo ayeke ukuba nguNongqawuse xa kusithiwa makanyusele abasebenzi bakarhulumente ukusuka kwiipesenti ezilishumi ukunyuka ... [The EFF rejects the Budget Vote until the government agrees to implement the recommendation that public servants must be given an increment, starting from 10% upwards, ...]
... since the members of this House always enjoy a double-digit raise. I thank you. [Applause.]