Unions in the sector want the court to compel the state to implement a Consumer Price Index (CPI) controlled wage increase as per a 2018 wage agreement, despite government saying it doesn’t have the money to do so.
Unions filed a dispute in the labour court months ago after the government reneged on a wage agreement with workers that was meant to be implemented back in April.
In a letter from the Department of Public Service and Administration’s attorneys, which Eyewitness News has seen, the State stresses its preference for settling disputes outside the courts.
At the core of its fight with the government is the failure to deal with corruption and the public service wage increase dispute.
The telecommunications company, which has over R11 billion worth of debt, announced it would be cutting thousands of jobs due to a weak economic environment and a rapid change in technology.
Numsa has criticised ANC-led government of implementing laws that make it harder for the working class to exercise their constitutional right to strike.
Trade unions are calling for unity in the labour movement and are warning that the well-being of workers is being compromised by divisions among them.
According to the International Labour Organisation website, minimum wages had been implemented in 92% of their 186 member countries in 2015.
