MAGISTRATES across the country are threatening to go on strike if their salaries are not adjusted.
This is despite Parliament having earlier this month approved a 5% increase for judicial officers.
"Before 2007, we used to earn more than prosecutors but now they earn more than we do. We are worried that magistrates will run away from the bench and become prosecutors because they earn more. They (prosecutors) also have the right to strike," president of the Judicial Offices Association of South Africa, Vincent Ratshibvumo, said.
"As an organisation, we said we cannot go on strike until we have engaged all stakeholders."
In a letter to magistrates, Ratshibvumo said: "We acknowledged that as public office bearers, we are not employees and the Labour Relations Act that provides for the protected participation in strikes or industrial action cannot apply to us, and as such we are not covered. Joasa is not willing to risk the profession of any of its members by letting them gamble in a dangerous game that might see them sacked. Any such activity should not be done in our name."
Other grievances include maternity leave. From 2006, female magistrates could only take two months maternity leave and for only two pregnancies in their career.
Yesterday, Ratshibvumo said: "The retired Chief Justice (Sandile) Ngcobo established the lower court remuneration committee, which had a mandate to make recommendations about salaries and benefits for magi-strates of all ranks."
In a letter to President Jacob Zuma, Ratshibvumo said: "The chief justice's salary was brought in line with that of the Deputy President and the Speaker of Parliament. This resulted in a huge salary increase in the income of the highest office of a judicial officer (chief justice).
"When reading through the report of the Independent Remuneration Commission at the time, one has to agree that such adjustments were necessary.
"At the time, the lowest ranked judicial officer (magistrate) earned 43% of the salary of the chief justice.
"(Now), the salary of a magistrate is only 30% of the income of the chief justice. One understands the IRC had to first adjust the salary of the chief justice and left the responsibility of anchoring the salaries of the other ranks below (in particular, the lower court) for a later review.
"Unfortunately the terms of these commissioners came to an end before realising this dream."
The chief justice earns R2,130769 a year. The lower court magistrates earn R639256 a year.
Magistrates want higher salaries
MAGISTRATES across the country are threatening to go on strike if their salaries are not adjusted.
This is despite Parliament having earlier this month approved a 5% increase for judicial officers.
"Before 2007, we used to earn more than prosecutors but now they earn more than we do. We are worried that magistrates will run away from the bench and become prosecutors because they earn more. They (prosecutors) also have the right to strike," president of the Judicial Offices Association of South Africa, Vincent Ratshibvumo, said.
"As an organisation, we said we cannot go on strike until we have engaged all stakeholders."
In a letter to magistrates, Ratshibvumo said: "We acknowledged that as public office bearers, we are not employees and the Labour Relations Act that provides for the protected participation in strikes or industrial action cannot apply to us, and as such we are not covered. Joasa is not willing to risk the profession of any of its members by letting them gamble in a dangerous game that might see them sacked. Any such activity should not be done in our name."
Other grievances include maternity leave. From 2006, female magistrates could only take two months maternity leave and for only two pregnancies in their career.
Yesterday, Ratshibvumo said: "The retired Chief Justice (Sandile) Ngcobo established the lower court remuneration committee, which had a mandate to make recommendations about salaries and benefits for magi-strates of all ranks."
In a letter to President Jacob Zuma, Ratshibvumo said: "The chief justice's salary was brought in line with that of the Deputy President and the Speaker of Parliament. This resulted in a huge salary increase in the income of the highest office of a judicial officer (chief justice).
"When reading through the report of the Independent Remuneration Commission at the time, one has to agree that such adjustments were necessary.
"At the time, the lowest ranked judicial officer (magistrate) earned 43% of the salary of the chief justice.
"(Now), the salary of a magistrate is only 30% of the income of the chief justice. One understands the IRC had to first adjust the salary of the chief justice and left the responsibility of anchoring the salaries of the other ranks below (in particular, the lower court) for a later review.
"Unfortunately the terms of these commissioners came to an end before realising this dream."
The chief justice earns R2,130769 a year. The lower court magistrates earn R639256 a year.
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