Johannesburg - The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) said on
Wednesday it wanted a 15% across-the-board wage increase and would begin
a series of protest marches over poor government services this week.
Nehawu, which has around 280 000 members, said in a statement there was a public health "crisis" because of government outsourcing.
It also wants a R3 000 housing allowance for its workers as part of the demands which it says are aimed at reducing widespread inequality among health workers.
"Our abolition of these salary levels is informed by the urgent need to close the huge wage gap between the highest paid and the lowest paid," Nehawu said in a statement.
"In light of a series of stories reflecting wastes and fruitless expenditures we expect that there will be enough money for the increase," it added.
Read: Public Works' wasted R35bn shocking - Nxesi
The union said it would present its demands to the government on Saturday.
The union made no mention of any planned strikes. The longest mining strike in South Africa's history ended in June but has hobbled the economy and any industrial action in other sectors will be a concern for investors.
Earlier this month, Rentral Bank governor Gill Marcus reiterated her concern that recent wage demands and some settlements have not matched inflation and productivity.
Read: Sarb keeps rates steady
Marcus said the bank's concerns related to settlements at all levels, including executive pay.
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