13 Apr 2014

Parliament has adjourned, as per Standing Order 19 (2), until the winter sitting.

Prior to adjournment on April 11, Parliament passed four bills that comprised specified offices, Ntlo ya Dikgosi, National Assembly and Judges to effect  government’s four per cent salary adjustment.

The Judges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill allowed for salaries and allowances increase payable to the President of the Court of Appeal,  justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Justice and judges of the High Court.

When presenting the bills, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse said the reason for amending the four bills was that constitutionally such amendments should effect to allow for their salary increases.

He said such were the officers who were not provided for in the law to have a forum for bargaining their salaries.

Acting Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Shaw Kgathi said the four per cent might not be enough, but noted that the decision to reach four per cent increase were done in the context of the budget. He said nothing could have been offered beyond budget.

He said despite economic downturn that the country was going through, there had been a provision for temporary recession of the budget and that retrenchment was also not an option despite downturn.

He said government also recommended tax reduction that only up to P3 600 could pay tax, as part of the stimulus package.

Supporting the bills, MP for Molepolole South, Mr Daniel Kwelagobe said there should be a forum or a mechanism that allowed specified officers or non-unionised members to make contribution on issues concerning their welfare.

He said it was unfair to take decisions for them without consulting them, especially on issues relating to their conditions of service.

Mr Kwelagobe said salaries commissions that were in place in the past served a purpose because specified officers were able to appear before the commissioners or present in writing their proposals.

MP for Kanye North, Mr Kentse Rammidi argued that the four per cent was not enough and that the buying power, especially for the extended family members had diminished, as most households depended on extended family members to fend for them.

He also called for consultation with respect to salary increases of members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi. Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said he did not support the four per cent increase and that it was insignificant unless the pyramid system could be considered to cushion the salary of those under paid.

Mr Mmolotsi said there was a report before the Bargaining Council that proposed the 10 per cent increase that should be looked into. ENDS