Cyril Ramaphosa
1Min
South Africa
Jan 25, 2026
SAFTU has hit out at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approval of a 3.8% salary increase for top political office-bearers, calling the move an insult to struggling workers and the poor, and urging government to redirect resources toward jobs, public services and social support.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to approve a 3.8% salary increase for top political office-bearers, saying this was a direct insult to the working class and the poor.
The increases will cover remuneration packages for the President, Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, MECs and Members of Parliament.
SAFTU is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the 3.8% salary increase for political office-bearers, alongside a public review of the Ministerial Handbook to curb luxury benefits. The federation also wants government spending redirected toward job creation, stronger public services and higher wages for workers, the urgent filling of critical vacancies in frontline sectors, the expansion of public employment through a job-guarantee programme, and the implementation of a universal basic income grant.
“SAFTU reiterates its call for an end to austerity and for a decisive shift toward a state-led industrial strategy that rebuilds manufacturing, supports local production and creates decent work. South Africa will not overcome its crisis by protecting privilege at the top, but by placing workers, the unemployed and the poor at the centre of economic and political decision-making,” the federation said.
