NSFAS has clarified that even though NSFAS employees are striking, NSFAS operations such as the disbursement of allowances and applications processing will not be affected.
NSFAS released a statement which said:
It is important to note that the strike will not have any impact on NSFAS operations specifically the applications cycle and disbursement of allowances. NSFAS applications are automated on the myNSFAS portal system, therefore students can access the portal anytime to submit their applications with no human interference.
On the disbursement of allowances, NSFAS has said:
Student allowances have already been disbursed therefore students in universities and TVET colleges should not panic during this time.
NSFAS employees are striking to demand a salary increase of 8% while NSFAS says they are only able to grant an increase of 4.3%. Negotiations are currently underway as NSFAS says, “NSFAS together with NEHAWU had established the National Bargaining Forum (NBF), a platform where issues of mutual interest are discussed, negotiations take place, agreements are reached and formally tabled at the bargaining forum”.
NEHAWU initially wanted an increase of 13% but later decreased it to 8%. NSFAS explained, “NSFAS together with NEHAWU had established the National Bargaining Forum (NBF), a platform where issues of mutual interest are discussed, negotiations take place, agreements are reached and formally tabled at the bargaining forum.”
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) members have started striking in front of NSFAS offices in Wynberg, Cape Town, in hopes to get their demands for a salary increase be taken seriously and heard.
Salary negotiations have been happening since June and engagements between NSFAS and NEHAWU continue concerning the salary increase. NSFAS has also said that they seek to gain some guidance from the National Treasury on the matter.
Xaba previously said, “We cannot find common ground with the employer, and the CCMA has given us a strike of non-resolution, which means that we can start getting members and prepare for a strike. So, that’s what we are doing now.”
NSFAS posted on their social media, “Due to the scheduled NEHAWU picket taking place today, we are experiencing a delayed response time for all queries. Our team is working tirelessly to ensure we attend to your queries. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.”
Due to the scheduled NEHAWU picket taking place today, we are experiencing a delayed response time for all queries. Our team is working tirelessly to ensure we attend to your queries. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
— NSFAS (@myNSFAS) October 5, 2020
The more you understand yourself, the more silence there is, the healthier you are. —Maxime Lagacé
