PSA marks Workers’ Day 2026 calling for dignity and fair treatment of public servants

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has marked Workers’ Day 2026 with a strong call to restore dignity, fairness, and balance for public servants facing mounting economic pressure.

In a media statement released on Friday, the PSA highlighted the increasing financial strain and uncertainty affecting workers, particularly those in the public sector.

The organisation said this year’s theme, “Reclaiming Workers’ Power and Dignity in an Age of Crisis,” reflects the urgent need to address the widening gap between policy decisions and the lived realities of employees.

The PSA said, public servants are expected to maintain high service delivery standards despite rising living costs, stagnant wages, and increasing deductions. The union warned that the current situation is unsustainable and requires decisive intervention.

A major concern raised in the statement is the rising cost of healthcare, particularly increases in Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) contributions.

While access to healthcare remains essential, the PSA noted that affordability is becoming a serious challenge for many workers, who are forced to carry additional financial burdens without sufficient relief or flexibility.

The organisation is calling for greater transparency and accountability in how these increases are determined. It stressed that workers should not be limited to options that fail to reflect their financial realities, adding that meaningful discussions around affordability and value are long overdue.

Furthermore, the PSA emphasised that reclaiming worker power requires more than symbolic engagement. It called for a shift towards meaningful participation, where employees have a real influence on decisions affecting their working conditions and financial well-being.

The union also urged stakeholders to treat Workers’ Day as more than a ceremonial event. Instead, it should serve as a critical moment to evaluate whether current systems support or undermine workers. The PSA warned that without urgent action, worker dignity will continue to erode.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that public servants are not passive recipients of decisions, but active participants in shaping their conditions of service. It concluded by stressing that restoring worker dignity is not a long-term goal, but an immediate necessity.