Mbabane – Tensions escalated during the first day of the Joint Negotiations Forum (JNF) meeting yesterday (21 August) after it was revealed that the long-awaited Draft Salary Review Report, submitted by the salary review consultant Emergence Human Capital on August 15, 2025, to the ministry of Public Service, is lacking key components critical to finalizing new salary structures.
According to Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Lot Vilakati, the report fell far short of expectations.
He described it as “scanty and lacking many essential components,” particularly highlighting the absence of proposed pay scales and a breakdown of reviewed percentage projections aligned with the required budget for implementation.
“The report, in its current form, is not sufficient. It lacks the critical details needed to guide the next phase of the salary review process,” Vilakati said.
“Our members expect transparency, clarity, and a complete document that addresses both figures and implementation strategy.”
While the report did provide some general insights, Vilakati noted that it failed to include the finer variables needed to determine the final adjusted salary scales and percentages, a key concern for the public service unions represented in the negotiations.
The issue has now prompted urgent calls for Emergence Human Capital to urgently revise and complete the draft report ahead of its final submission on September 1, 2025.
Union leaders have warned that any further delays or omissions will be met with resistance, as thousands of public servants continue to await long-overdue adjustments to their salaries.
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