South Africa civil servants accept new pay deal

Government workers in South Africa are to receive a pay rise – bringing to an end months of negotiations and industrial action.

The union representing almost a quarter of a million public servants, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has accepted the government’s offer of 7.5%.

The pay hike will be implemented from 1 April.

The PSA was initially pushing for a 10% pay increase at a time the economy is shrinking.

"Although it's not all that we wanted but we believe that the 7.5% will make much better economic sense to our members given the hardships they find themselves in," said Reuben Maleka, the acting deputy general manager of the PSA.

A section of public servants went on strike early this month after wage talks with the government failed.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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