Immigration staff 'may strike'
12/06/2006 20:47

Pretoria - Immigration officers might go on strike if a last-ditch attempt to resolve a dispute over their salaries fails, the Public Servants' Association (PSA) warned on Monday.

"A strike of this nature will have an immense affect on all airports, harbours and ports of entry and the PSA therefore calls upon the minister of home affairs to intervene," said Manie de Clercq, PSA deputy general manager.

In an attempt to resolve the matter, the PSA has referred the dispute for conciliation. If this fails the PSA will call on its members to strike.

The PSA, which represents 90% of immigration officials employed by the department of home affairs, has been in salary discussions for over a year, de Clercq said.

According to the union job evaluations have shown that entry level for immigration officers were supposed to be on salary level six of the public service salary band, and chief immigration officers on levels 11 and 12.

"Immigration officers are currently paid on salary level two, which is way below their job grades. It is extremely disappointing that, despite the job evaluation exercise, the department has continued to underpay immigration officers," de Clercq said.

The department was not available for comment.

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