Parliament will double the salaries of its lowest-paid workers over the next three years, in a move that has raised eyebrows but which the institution said is necessary to bring them in line with existing salary scales.
Until 2018, the workers, who are now full-time parliamentary staff, had been employed by service providers whose contracts were not renewed by parliament. Following negotiations with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, the incorporated staff, including cleaners and other low-category workers, can expect to earn R350,000 by 2026, up from the R170,00 they earn now.
Critics say the new scales mean cleaners will earn more than police constables and junior teachers, but parliament has strongly defended the increases, saying the adjustments will bring the acquired workers in line with counterparts who were on the parliamentary staff all along.
Also, for the first time since 2019, parliament will pay performance bonuses, because its budget, and the public purse ran by the national treasury, had been under pressure due to the prevailing tough economic environment.
Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo yesterday said the institution was correcting “an inequitable situation where Parliament operated with two different entry-level structures”.
“This transition corrects this disparity by moving cleaning staff into the A-Band, which has always been Parliament's standard entry-level category. The alignment eliminates an unjust dual system and ensures all entry-level employees, regardless of their role, fall under the same remuneration structure. This change reflects Parliament's commitment to workplace equality and fair labour practices,” he said.
“In line with our commitment to creating a fair, inclusive, and caring workplace environment, we have implemented a progressive career path model for these employees. This structured approach may include salary adjustments in some instances, specifically aimed at enhancing wellbeing for employees in lower job categories. This initiative underscores our dedication to caring for our employees while ensuring alignment with industry standards.
“The programme encompasses comprehensive capacity building designed to develop necessary skills and establish clear career advancement pathways, supporting their long-term growth within the institution. The transition from X-Band to A-Band entry level includes corresponding salary adjustments, which will be implemented progressively over time. This blended approach allows for responsible resource management while achieving our developmental objectives and reaffirming our commitment to our core values of respect and integrity.”
Around R32m has been set aside to pay performance bonuses to qualifying officials. Insiders said at a Friday hybrid meeting, convened by Secretary-to-Parliament Xolile George, staff were told that upgrading affected workers to the A-band, and the payment of the performance bonuses, had been approved despite the acting CFO Nomonde Mpefumlo telling the same meeting that Parliament’s budget remained under pressure.
The increase would be implemented in stages, the sources said — the first hike of 10% would take effect next month, the second hike of 40% would follow in April next year and the final 50% increase would be implemented in 2026.
An entry-level constable currently earns a gross salary of R18,000, including housing and danger allowance, whereas parliament’s cleaners and waitrons will be getting just over R28,000 a month by March 2026
It is understood that the pay adjustment will move qualifying staff from the public service X-band level, which does not exist in parliament’s official pay structure, to the officially recognised A-band, which is the institution’s entry-level salary.
Following pressure from Nehawu, cleaners, cooks, cashiers and waitrons who had been working under cleaning and catering contracts were absorbed as full-time employees on salaries of R14,000 a month about six years ago.
Other insiders indicated that the pay increase and resumption of performance bonuses were going ahead despite continuing pressure on parliament’s budget.
The bonuses worth R32m are due to be paid by December 13 for those with a minimum performance score of 3 out of 5.
“While this is happening most divisions at the coalface of parliament service delivery have been cut severely, some by as much as 30%, to finance salaries and remuneration of staff and on top of that we are doubling salaries and paying bonuses,” said one source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Parliament’s decision to double the pay of its blue-collar workers has stunned some within the public service, who noted that this would see them earning more than entry-level professionals such as teachers and police officers.
An entry-level constable currently earns a gross salary of R18,000, including housing and danger allowance, whereas parliament’s cleaners and waitrons will be getting just over R28,000 a month by March 2026.
“Instead of doubling people’s salaries in an institution that has been saying it has no money, why don’t you encourage people to study further so that they can apply for better paying positions? When you compare with salaries in government departments, you end with a cleaner earning more than a police officer,” said another source.
Nehawu representative Sthembiso Tembe hailed the move as a long overdue victory for members. “We believe that once concluded in 2026, the move from the X-band to A-band will bring dignity not only to themselves, but to their families and extended families.”
Mothapo said the payment of bonuses was “standard practice across the public sector” and they had been budgeted for.
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