Strike timing bad for South Africa

South African public service workers have embarked on an indefinite strike to back their demand for an 8.6 per cent increase in wages and a hike in their housing allowance.

The government has refused to increase its counter offer — including a 7 per cent salary increase — saying it simply cannot afford to run up the state deficit any further. Now, the economy is being disrupted by a strike the country cannot afford as fiscal reality clashes with social necessity.

While the demands of those in the public service are well in excess of the country's inflation rate, many are not receiving salaries in line with their skills and responsibilities.

But the public service is, in parts, inefficient and over-staffed. Government should reduce the size of the bureaucracy and use the savings to increase the salaries of more skilled, productive workers. However, the unions will resist retrenchments in a country with debilitatingly high unemployment. In any event the country's political leaders are not encouraging wage restraint, with some politicians collecting disproportionate salaries or getting involved in sweet-heart business deals.

Whatever the outcome of the strike, South Africa is not likely to get the civil service its people and economy needs.