General

MBABANE – Government and civil servants’ unions have seven days to negotiate the final salary review report for implementation this month.

The Final Government of Eswatini Remuneration Review Report, dated September 29, 2025, was delivered yesterday by the consultant, Emergence Human Capital. The report was received on behalf of the employer by the Ministry of Public Service during the Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF) held at the Ministry of Public Service Conference Room.

The Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Service, Mthunzi Shabangu, who is also the Government Negotiations Team (GNT) Chief Negotiator, received the 463-page final draft report. It was also shared with the Public Sector Unions (PSUs), who represent a fraction of the 44 000 civil servants, as well as the employer.

The Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Deputy Secretary General (DSG), Mcolisi Ngcamphalala, explained that the final report includes amendments from submissions of all stakeholders. He said the unions will review the final draft to appreciate if their concerns were addressed and will further compile submissions, which will then be shared during the JNF. Ngcamphalala said it was unfortunate that time was no longer on all stakeholders’ side and everything needed to move fast. He said they were optimistic that correspondence informing PSUs of the JNF will be transmitted today.

“We anticipate that the negotiations will begin tomorrow (Wednesday, October 1, 2025), as they must be concluded before October 10,” he said.

He said their knowledge was that the civil servants’ payroll was run on the 10^th of each month and, as such, their seven-day timeframe was set on this basis. Ngcamphalala said they were anticipating that there would be commitment from all stakeholders in ensuring that the timelines are met.

He said Scenario III of the Final Government of Eswatini Remuneration Review Report proposed varying percentages for various cadres in the civil service. The proposed Scenario III, which Cabinet said could be a basis for negotiation, proposes different percentages ranging between eight and 13 per cent. He said the report was envisaged to bring balance to the current discrepancies of salaries within the civil service. The DSG said their understanding was that the consultant opted for this model to minimise the gap in the remuneration structure of the civil service.

He said: “Our belief is that a 50 per cent upward review would have improved the lives of their members in the short-term, given that 10 years have lapsed without our remuneration being upgraded despite the financial corrosion brought about by inflation.”

Ngcamphalala said their anticipation was that the salary review will be backdated, as it has been a lengthy period. The DSG was not specific on the number of years, but said it ought to be backdated to April. It is worth noting that a strength of Scenario III is a balanced approach under the five-notch step and it reads: “Aligns closely with Lesotho at lower levels and approaches Botswana at senior grades. Payroll increases of 20–25 per cent, with a cost-to-move of E800–900 million.”

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Pay hike will not bring much relief – economist

MBABANE – An economist said the salary review is good for government coffers, as government will collect higher taxes.

The economist said the increment offered by government to civil servants would not bring much relief to them, as inflation is high.

The scholar said the effects of geo-politics, the aftermath of COVID-19 and high employment would result in civil servants not seeing much of benefit. He said this was because they had too many dependants and also needed to keep up with their basic needs.

The economist said the increments resulted in the employees supplementing employers in keeping alive, as they had to forgo a number of activities, since they barely afforded the basics.

On the other hand, the economist said government had to improve its social services in order to cushion the populace in general.

*Full article available in our publication.

The civil servants’ representatives accepted the Final Government of Eswatini Remuneration Review Report from the consultant, Emergence Human Capital.