POLITICAL parties offered a mixed reaction to the announcement yesterday that public sector unions were suspending their strike.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement: "We believe this is a step in the right direction in ensuring stability and normality in our public sector offerings, particular(ly) around education and health services."
The Democratic Alliance (DA) criticised the increased pay offer and the strike itself.
"In playing for time to serve their own political agenda, the unions have demonstrated a serious misunderstanding of the far-reaching economic consequences of this strike," said DA chief whip Ian Davidson in a statement.
He said the government's budget was "over-burdened and over-extended", and that the increased wages would result in cuts to services.
"The increased wage bill effectively means government has fewer funds to hire more people and roll out crucial services to the greater populace," said Davidson.
About 1,3million public servants rejected the government's opening pay offer of a 7percent increase and R700 a month housing allowance. The government later increased the offer to 7,5percent and a R800 housing allowance.
The strike has crippled state hospitals and several deaths have been blamed on the strike.
The SA National Defence Force has had to step in to help.
Schools have also been affected. In several provinces, preliminary matric exams have been postponed and many non-striking teachers have been intimidated.
ANC welcomes end of strike
POLITICAL parties offered a mixed reaction to the announcement yesterday that public sector unions were suspending their strike.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement: "We believe this is a step in the right direction in ensuring stability and normality in our public sector offerings, particular(ly) around education and health services."
The Democratic Alliance (DA) criticised the increased pay offer and the strike itself.
"In playing for time to serve their own political agenda, the unions have demonstrated a serious misunderstanding of the far-reaching economic consequences of this strike," said DA chief whip Ian Davidson in a statement.
He said the government's budget was "over-burdened and over-extended", and that the increased wages would result in cuts to services.
"The increased wage bill effectively means government has fewer funds to hire more people and roll out crucial services to the greater populace," said Davidson.
About 1,3million public servants rejected the government's opening pay offer of a 7percent increase and R700 a month housing allowance. The government later increased the offer to 7,5percent and a R800 housing allowance.
The strike has crippled state hospitals and several deaths have been blamed on the strike.
The SA National Defence Force has had to step in to help.
Schools have also been affected. In several provinces, preliminary matric exams have been postponed and many non-striking teachers have been intimidated.
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