The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has strongly condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to approve salary increases of between 3.5% and 4% for public office-bearers, describing the move as insensitive to the economic hardships facing ordinary South Africans.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the union described the decision as “completely unprincipled and insensitive” to the harsh socio-economic realities confronting the majority of the population, particularly workers and the working class.
“We find this decision completely unprincipled and insensitive to the harsh socio-economic realities confronting the overwhelming majority of South Africans, particularly workers and the working class,” NEHAWU said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Presidency announced that Ramaphosa had approved salary adjustments for the 2026/27 financial year, effective retrospectively from 1 April 2026.
The increases follow recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers.
Under the approved adjustments, different categories of public office-bearers will receive the following increases:
- 3.5% increase: Members of the National Executive, Members of the National Assembly, permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), premiers, Members of Executive Councils (MECs) and Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs).
- 4% increase: Constitutional Court judges, judges of other courts, magistrates, traditional leaders, members of the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, and members of independent constitutional institutions.
NEHAWU questions government’s priorities
NEHAWU said the salary adjustments send a troubling message about the priorities of those entrusted with public leadership, particularly at a time when unemployment remains high, poverty and inequality persist, and the cost of living continues to rise.
“Our people continue to grapple with high unemployment, poverty, inequality and the rising cost of living. The approval of these salary increases sends a deeply troubling message about the priorities of those entrusted with public leadership,” the union said.
The union further argued that the decision comes against a backdrop of ordinary workers being expected to accept austerity measures, wage restraint, budget cuts and the consequences of an increasingly stretched public service.
It said this was particularly concerning for workers in education, health and allied services, who continue to deliver essential services under difficult conditions while political office-bearers and senior judicial officials receive salary increases.
NEHAWU has consistently maintained that public sector workers carry the burden of service delivery in struggling hospitals, schools and municipalities and should therefore be prioritised in decisions concerning remuneration.
Public frustration over salary increases
The announcement has also sparked criticism on social media, with questions being raised about the timing of the increases amid ongoing challenges in public healthcare and service delivery.
Concerns have included pressure on public hospitals, medication shortages and persistent failures in the delivery of basic municipal services.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has defended the decision, stating that Ramaphosa considered the country’s economic challenges, fiscal affordability, inflation and wage settlement data before approving the adjustments.
NEHAWU, however, remains opposed to the increases and says it will continue mobilising against what it describes as a two-tier system in which ordinary workers are expected to exercise wage restraint while political office-bearers receive salary increases.
The union’s position adds to the growing debate over public spending, workers’ remuneration and accountability at a time when millions of South Africans continue to face economic uncertainty.